Equipment Operator

City of Sunrise; Alaska; On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Sunrise is seeking an Equipment Operator to drive heavy-duty trucks and operate a range of construction and maintenance equipment in the Utilities Department. Under supervision, you will handle street, drainage, and related infrastructure tasks with safety and efficiency.

Responsibilities include transporting materials, performing basic vehicle maintenance, and adhering to Temporary Traffic Control procedures. A Florida Class A CDL and prior street/ drainage experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required or equivalent.
• Experience operating heavy construction equipment preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Operates safely a range of heavy equipment including trucks, rollers, loaders, and excavators.
• Transports materials and equipment to and from job sites; loads and unloads bulky items.
• Performs basic maintenance checks on vehicles and reports issues.
• Assists with temporary traffic control and safety of the work zone.
• Be available for emergency calls and assist in related tasks as needed.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety awareness

Vehicle maintenance basics

Recordkeeping

Traffic control

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Posting number: 2026-207

Department: UTILITIES

Division: FIELD OPERATIONS

Job classification: EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Works, Utilities

Summary

ABOUT OUR CITY

The City of Sunrise is more than a workplace — it’s a community built on our Three Pillars: Customer Service, Collaboration, and Transparency. We’re committed to creating an environment where innovation thrives, teamwork is celebrated, and every employee has the opportunity to grow and make a lasting impact.

As a full-service municipality and one of South Florida’s premier cities, Sunrise offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a strong culture of recognition. Whether you’re helping residents, shaping policy, or improving city operations, you’ll be part of a team that’s passionate about service excellence and community pride.

We take pride in being home to the back-to-back NHL Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, a vibrant arts and entertainment district, and a diverse community that truly embodies what it means to Live, Work, and Play in Sunrise.

Effective January 2026, the City is has launched an Alternative Work Schedule designed to further support employee work-life balance — providing eligible staff with two three-day weekends per month through an every-other-Friday-off model. This initiative reflects our continued focus on flexibility and employee well-being.

NATURE OF WORK

This classification involves driving heavy-duty trucks and operating moderately complex construction/maintenance equipment involving a comprehensive maintenance program for streets, sidewalks, bridges, drainage, and other infrastructures on City property or in the City right-of-way. Under immediate supervision, employees are required to exercise some initiative and independent judgment in completing assigned tasks. Tasks at times are performed under hazardous conditions and employees are expected to be particularly alert and careful whenever operating the assigned vehicle/equipment. Employees might be required to perform manual and unskilled laboring tasks, using hand and power tools, either separate from or in conjunction with the equipment being operated. Employees might also be required to operate specialty and/or more complex construction/maintenance equipment on a relief basis or in a training capacity and may serve in a lead capacity over lower level laboring personnel. Work is reviewed while in progress and upon completion by observation and through results obtained.

Examples of duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Operates safely a variety of moderately complex heavy equipment including tandem dump trucks, combination vehicle, rollers, bulldozers, street sweeper, skid steer loader, backhoe, track asphalt paver, and front-end loader.
• Transports materials, tools, and equipment to and from job sites; hauls sand, rock, shell, asphalt, gravel, sludge, and other bulky, heavy items and substances.
• Operates construction/maintenance equipment, pay loaders, truck mounted claw for loading and lifting in construction and maintenance activities; and loader tractors for loading and excavating, and industrial/agricultural tractors for cutting grass and clearing land.
• Performs minor maintenance and servicing on vehicle/equipment being operated to include checking tire air pressure, motor oil, hydraulic oil, and fuel, and bleeding brake air tanks where require; visually checks vehicle/equipment and reports maintenance or repair problems at the beginning and the end of the workday; assures that vehicle is properly equipped, serviced and cleaned
• Excavation for the installation and maintenance of stormwater drainage pipes and structures
• Exercises extreme care while operating equipment, to include watching out for children, animals, low hanging limbs, utility lines, trees, fences, and parked vehicles; observes safety rules and obeys traffic laws.
• Maintains accurate records and reports of work performed.
• Responsible to install Temporary Traffic Control operations as needed to protect operator, equipment and motorists, while maintaining a safe work zone.
• Be available for emergency calls when needed.
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• High school of vocational school diploma or GED.
• Supplemental college related course work preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Considerable experience in street, sidewalk, and drainage repair and maintenance.
• Experience with operating a truck with hydraulic lift, small tractors, small rollers, asphalt paver machine, backhoe, front end loader, and power tools and equipment preferred.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Required license(s): Must possess a valid Florida Class 'A' Commercial Driver's License with good driving record (Will be required to maintain license as condition of employment in this position)
• Required Certification(s): Intermediate Temporary Traffic Control Certificate (Or obtain with six months of hire).
• Desired: Underground Utility excavation license, and OSHA 30-Hour Construction Training

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical capability to effectively use and operate City assigned vehicles, manual or power tools.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor as required
• Ability to climb, balance, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, push and/or pull, twist and make repetitive hand movements.
• Ability to walk, stand and sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to work outdoors under varying temperatures, inclement weather and/or other adverse conditions.
• Ability to load, carry, lift, push and/or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate a motorized vehicle.
• Ability to climb and descend stairways and ship ladders at unusual heights of up to 40 feet.
• Ability to see in the normal visual range with or without correction. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to withstand exposure to the following conditions without stress: excessive noise, unpleasant odors, chemicals/other environmental substances, blood borne pathogens.
• Perform work at locations with exposure over, in and around water, which may not be accessible to the physically handicapped.

Work Environment

• Tasks are regularly performed outdoors with potential exposure to the following conditions: varying temperatures, inclement weather, and/or other adverse conditions. Tasks are occasionally performed at locations with exposure over, in and around water, which may not be accessible to the physically handicapped.

Sensory

• The ability to perceive and differentiate visual cues or signals. Tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through personal contact, the use of the telephone and/or other City-issued technology devices.

Supplemental information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of methods, practices, materials, and equipment used in maintenance, construction, and repair work.
• Working knowledge of traffic laws, occupational hazards and appropriate safety precautions
• Knowledge of the use and care of hand and power tools and equipment related to assigned areas.
• Knowledge of records keeping, report writing, and related administrative procedures.
• Skill in the use and care of standard tools, equipment, and testing devices.
• Skill in using Office and department software.
• Ability to maintain records and compile reports.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work from plans, drawings and specifications.
• Ability to perform works requiring physical strength and endurance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with assigned employees, supervisors, representatives of local/state/federal organizations, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate with the public in a cordial and helpful manner.
• Ability to acquire skill and develop proficiency in the operation of specialty and motorized construction/maintenance equipment.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the City and its geography.
• Ability to give direction to subordinate employees. .
• Ability to train and supervise a staff of assigned employees in a manner conducive to acceptable performance and high morale.
• Skill and ability to demonstrate proficiency in the operation of heavy trucks and/or motorized construction/maintenance equipment.
• Skill in the use and care of hand and power tools related to assigned areas
• Demonstrates knowledge on the safety of the specific tools, machinery, or equipment used in their specific workplace.