Equipment Operator I - Highways

Anne Arundel County Office of Personnel; Maryland; On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Anne Arundel County Government is seeking an Equipment Operator I for the Department of Public Works, Highways Division. The role involves operating medium‑sized construction equipment and performing laborer work in highway maintenance tasks across county sites.

Primary duties include operating dump trucks and front‑end loaders, coordinating with crew leaders, and performing routine maintenance. Must be able to work odd hours and respond to emergencies in all weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Education: Sufficient education to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Experience: 1+ year experience operating light-to-medium-duty automotive and related equipment.
• Additional Requirements: A valid commercial Class B motor vehicle operator's license.

Responsibilities

• Operates a dump truck, utility trailer, tractor mower, boom mower, front end loader, roller, street sweeper, belt loader, chain saw, wood chipper, stump grinder, skid steer loader, rubber tire backhoe, air compressor, jackhammer, and other construction equipment in performing a variety of road maintenance tasks.
• Drives and operates construction vehicles and equipment at work location and also performs laborer tasks as required.
• May be assigned as a working leader in coordinating the workflow and performance of a maintenance crew at a job site.
• Drives a dump truck during snow removal operations and provides other support as needed.
• Constructs forms and mixes concrete and finishes.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety awareness

Reading maps

Power tools familiarity

Tools

Dump truck

Front-end loader

Backhoe

Skid steer loader

Forklift

Job description

Position Description

Anne Arundel County Government is looking to fill full-time, permanent, Safety-Sensitive,

Position Description

Anne Arundel County Government is looking to fill full-time, permanent, Safety‑Sensitive, Equipment Operator I positions in the Department of Public Works, Highways Division. This work involves operating medium‑sized construction vehicles and equipment, and performing laborer work.

NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK

Employees in this class operate a variety of construction equipment and perform laborer duties in such areas as highway maintenance.

Employees in this class have equipment operation as their primary duty. They operate a dump truck or construction equipment and are responsible for ensuring safe operation and preventive maintenance of assigned equipment.

Employees perform a variety of laborer tasks in support of a maintenance crew to which they are assigned. Because of the nature of this work, the employee is expected to be available to work hours outside of the normal workweek and respond to work emergencies when required.

Work assignments are received from a supervisor or team leader and instructions provided set forth the guidelines to follow to complete the assignment. The employee can be a working leader of a maintenance crew in coordinating the workflow and ensuring that work projects are completed properly and within prescribed time limits.

There is considerable physical effort required in lifting and moving heavy materials and equipment standing or walking for a considerable amount of time, and repeated bending, crawling, or stretching.

The working conditions expose the worker to dirty, noisy, dusty areas where very disagreeable odors may be present. The hazards of the job often require wearing hard hats, safety shoes, and glasses, when working with dangerous machinery, tools, or equipment. Work is frequently performed in adverse weather conditions for long periods.

There are positions in this class where employees have considerable contact with the public which requires courtesy and patience in providing information on County practices and policies. Work performance is reviewed and evaluated by a supervisor.

Examples Of Duties And Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Operates a dump truck, utility trailer, tractor mower, boom mower, front end loader, roller, street sweeper, belt loader, chain saw, wood chipper, stump grinder, skid steer loader, rubber tire backhoe, air compressor, jackhammer, and other construction equipment in performing a variety of road maintenance tasks.
• Drives and operates construction vehicles and equipment at work location and also performs laborer tasks as required.
• May be assigned as a working leader in coordinating the workflow and performance of a maintenance crew at a job site.
• Drives a dump truck during snow removal operations and provides other support as needed.
• Constructs forms and mixes concrete and finishes.
• Plants, prunes, and trim shrubs and trees.
• Works in confined spaces to clean storm drains and ditches.
• Loads and unloads materials, equipment, and tools by hand or using forklift or front-end loader.
• Performs preventive maintenance on vehicles, tools, and equipment.
• Controls traffic flow on roads as a flag person or using traffic control devices.
• Shovels and rakes hot mix asphalt and then tampers and evens asphalt.
• Cleans and repairs storm drains and drainage ditches that are clogged with debris by using a shovel and rake.
• Fills in road depressions with slag, gravel, stone, or cold mix asphalt.
• Digs and backfills holes and trenches with manual and automatic digging tools.
• Cleans debris and makes repairs to inlets and pipe culverts.
• Removes roadside litter and debris.
• Responds to work emergencies and call‑outs after normal work hours.
• Monitors small crews of community service workers, inmates, or temporary laborers to perform general cleaning and maintenance tasks.
• Inspect, services, and maintains equipment and assists mechanics in performing equipment repairs.
• Files and maintains various reports and inspection sheets such as daily driver operation logs, and manifests to indicate the source of the material.
• Operates a backhoe and rubber tire loader to load and unload materials.
• Operates a forklift to load and unload materials from vehicles and in a warehouse.
• Cleans facilities, equipment, buildings and grounds.
• Shovels snow, mow grass, and plants flowers and shrubbery.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of the operating characteristics and servicing requirements of heavy to light automotive equipment and power tools.
• Knowledge of construction practices in maintaining roads, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, storm drains, and setting grade stakes.
• Knowledge of the work hazards and applicable safety precautions required to be applied in operating automotive equipment and power tools.
• Knowledge of applicable traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations about operating equipment.
• Knowledge of the primary and secondary road system in Anne Arundel County.
• Skill in operating and maintaining automotive equipment and power tools.
• Ability to operate a rubber tire front‑end loader, dump truck, backhoe, paver, tractor mower, and boom mower.
• Ability to read and follow street map directions.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to stand or walk over rough terrain for long periods.
• Ability to work in close areas requiring considerable bending, crouching, stretching, or crawling.
• Ability to climb ladders or scaffolding.
• Ability to lift heavy objects and bulky items.
• Ability to work in dirty, noisy, dusty conditions where very disagreeable odors are present.
• Ability to safely operate dangerous hand and power tools.
• Ability to work hours beyond the standard workweek and schedule as required.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with other employees.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and employees.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Sufficient education to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Experience: One (1) or more years experience in the operation of light-to-medium-duty automotive and related equipment

Additional Requirements: A valid commercial Class B motor vehicle operator's license.

NOTE: The most highly qualified candidates will be invited by the department to an equipment operation skills test as part of the selection process. The equipment operation skills tests consist of testing the candidate's ability to operate a rubber tire loader and a dump truck with a trailer. Candidates will also be assessed on their familiarity with identifying dump truck slack adjusters that are out of specification.

NOTE: This position is Safety‑Sensitive and employees in the position are subject to Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) and Alcohol testing.

NOTE: Longevity pay is available based on years of service.

• Experience operating a rubber tire loader.
• Experience operating a dump truck with a trailer.