Equipment Operator I

Charlottecountyfl; Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Charlotte County is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator to operate dump trucks, loaders, excavators, and support public works and utilities across county projects.

You will perform maintenance, set up work zones, handle materials, and complete daily reports. Must have CDL-A and a high school diploma or GED, with at least one year of experience.

This on-site role offers hands-on outdoor work and a chance to contribute to community infrastructure while adhering to safety procedures.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; one year of heavy equipment experience preferred.
• Must maintain a valid CDL-A license with appropriate endorsements.
• Knowledge of modern office tools and ability to prepare reports.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy trucks and machinery to support public works and construction projects.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor adjustments on equipment.
• Set up work zones and follow safety procedures on site.
• Prepare daily or weekly activity reports and maintain records.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety procedures

Record keeping

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

High school diploma or GED

CDL-A license

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Are you someone who enjoys working with heavy equipment and seeing the results of your work take shape every day? In this role, you’ll operate heavy trucks, tractors, and a wide range of medium-sized equipment to support public works, utilities, parks, landfill, and construction projects that keep our community running smoothly. From roadways and storm drainage systems to landscaping and excavation work, your skills will help maintain and improve essential County infrastructure.

You’ll spend most of your time behind the controls—safely operating equipment such as dump trucks, loaders, excavators, backhoes, graders, mowers, and other specialized machinery. Your work may include grading, ditching, leveling, hauling materials, and assisting with construction and maintenance activities. You’ll also use hand and power tools, load and unload materials, and keep job sites clean and safe.

In addition to operating equipment, you’ll perform routine maintenance and minor adjustments, set up work zones to protect crews and the public, and complete daily or weekly activity reports. At times, you may assist with the handling of hazardous materials, always following proper safety procedures.

If you take pride in safe equipment operation, enjoy hands‑on outdoor work, and want a role where your efforts directly support your community, this position offers a dependable, impactful way to put your skills to work every day.

Education and Experience:

An equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience:

• High school diploma or GED.
• One (1) year of experience in operating equipment in the construction, repair, and/or maintenance of public infrastructure.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Must maintain a valid “A” Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), including appropriate endorsements.

What You Bring:

You bring a solid understanding of departmental policies, modern office practices, and the computer tools needed to support daily operations, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other job‑related applications. You’re familiar with traffic laws and regulations related to transporting and operating equipment on public roadways, as well as the safe handling and transport of hazardous materials.

You have working knowledge of construction and maintenance operations, including excavation, drainage, surfacing, and street paving processes, along with the materials used such as asphalt and aggregates. Safety is a priority for you—you understand operational hazards and consistently follow applicable rules and regulations.

You’re skilled in operating vehicles and assigned equipment in compliance with traffic laws, and you’re comfortable performing hands‑on work, sometimes in challenging weather conditions. Organized and dependable, you can prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently while following written and verbal instructions.

Clear communication and teamwork are among your strengths. You’re able to maintain accurate records, prepare reports and correspondence, provide guidance and customer assistance, and build positive working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, partners, and the public. Above all, you bring a practical, service‑oriented mindset and a commitment to getting the job done safely and effectively.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stooping, crouching, walking, pulling, lifting, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception, crawling, climbing. Frequent lifting of 10 to 25 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment. Work is exposed to outdoor weather conditions or irate customers, extreme noise, odors, heights, and/or dust.

RISK/SAFETY CONDITIONS

The position requires moderate exposure or risk related to physical and/or mental health and safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, heavy equipment, assault and battery, communicable disease, etc.).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Charlotte County is an affirmative Action/ADA/Veterans’ Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.