Equipment Operator

Texas Department of Transportation; Cooper (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plans

Alternative and/or Flexible Work Sched

Paid Leave and Holidays

Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full‑

On-the-Job Training

Tuition Assistance Program

Holistic Wellness Program with Leave''

Career Development and Advancement Opp

Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

Job summary

Texas Department of Transportation — Delta County Maintenance Section in Cooper, TX — seeks an Equipment Operator I responsible for operating heavy machinery and performing maintenance tasks on roadways and bridges. The role includes assisting in emergency responses and supporting local law enforcement at incidents.

Candidates must have 1 year of relevant experience, a valid Texas CDL for equipment operation, and a valid driver's license.

Qualifications

• 1 year experience in maintenance and/or construction equipment operation.
• Valid Texas Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for equipment operation required.
• Valid driver's license is required for operating a state vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Drives a state vehicle to assist in sanding or cleaning bridges and roads, posting warning signs, and helping the public during emergencies.
• Assists in accident scene support and assisting stranded motorists.
• Operates light and heavy equipment including front-end loaders, graders, excavators, dump trucks, and other listed machinery.
• Performs PMI, routine servicing and minor repairs; maintains records and reports.

Skills

Communication

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Job description

Minimum Qualifications

Performs complex transportation maintenance work operating heavy equipment such as: a tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt distributor, profiling/milling machine, and dump truck. Work requires contact with private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Essential Duties

• Drives a state vehicle to assist in sanding or cleaning bridges and roads, posting warning signs, helping the public and performing other work as directed during emergency situations such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, accidents and hazardous material spills.


• Assists in providing support to local law enforcement officials at accident sites; assists stranded motorists as required.


• Assists in sanding or cleaning bridges and roads, posting warning signs, helping the public and performing other work as directed during emergency situations such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, accidents and hazardous material spills.


• Assists with traffic control; places and gathers cones, warning signs and barricades; flags traffic.


• Monitors and fills out various required reports including time-keeping, equipment forms, inventory, accident forms, PMI and records work in progress.


• Operates light equipment such as a front-end loader-one and a quarter cubic yards or less, pneumatic roller, rotary broom, spreader box, backhoe, street sweeper, and mower.


• Operates one or more types of complex heavy equipment such as tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt profiling/milling machine and dump truck.


• Performs preventive maintenance inspections (PMI), routine servicing and minor repairs on equipment; as required uses/moves equipment/tools, materials and products related to these activities to include tires and equipment attachments.


• Operates tractor-trailer haul trucks to relocate heavy and light equipment including loading, securing, and unloading equipment on haul trailers.


• Operates heavy equipment performing complex transportation maintenance and roadway repairs.


• May serve as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.


• May train other employees on the operation of equipment and safety procedures.


• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.


• Operates heavy equipment such as a front-end loader-one and a half cubic yards or more, large dragline, shovel, and paint striper.

Minimum Qualifications (continued)

Education

No education required.

Experience

1 year experience in maintenance and/or construction equipment operation. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.


• Must have a valid Texas Commercial Driver's License for equipment operation at time of application

Competencies

• Communicate effectively


• Follow verbal and written instructions


• Drive and ride in a vehicle for extended periods


• Methods, procedures, equipment and materials used in intermodal transportation engineering construction and maintenance work


• The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices


• Basic vehicle mechanics, maintenance and repair procedures


• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines and specification codes


• Methods and procedures involving storage & transport of hazardous materials


• Coordinating labor, materials, and equipment


• Prioritizing and organizing work assignments


• Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files and reports


• Training in a classroom, office, or field environment


• Using applicable hand and power tools, equipment and mechanical devices of the trade


• Maintaining a safe working relationship


• Using heavy highway equipment


• Using light highway equipment

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions


• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour


• Subject to noise


• Subject to vibration


• Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals


• Subject to atmospheric conditions-fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation


• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs


• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs


• Balancing-walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling


• Reaching-extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction


• Pushing-using upper extremities to press against object with force to move in a direction


• Pulling-using upper extremities to exert force moving objects in a sustained motion


• Grasping-applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm


• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers


• Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment

Conditions of Employment

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.


• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.


• Must be able to report for duty within 45 minutes of notification on a 24-hour basis to respond to emergency situations.

Position Information

TxDOT is looking for an Equipment Operator in the Delta County Maintenance Section located in Cooper, TX. Come join our TxDOT family and build a career as big as TEXAS!

Core Values

• Improve our safety


• Value our employees


• Preserve our assets

Benefits And Perks

• Retirement Plans


• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules


• Paid Leave and Holidays


• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees


• On-the-Job Training


• Tuition Assistance Program


• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives


• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities


• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Job

Maint/Skilled Craft/Ferry Ops

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Level

Non-Management

Job Posting

Oct 14, 2026, 4:16:36 PM

State Job Title/s

Equipment Operator I

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

Applicant Information

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.