Equipment Operator II (Storm Water Management)

City of Norfolk, VA; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Employer paid pension

Life insurance

Parking

Job summary

The City of Norfolk’s Department of Public Works seeks an Equipment Operator II in the Environmental Storm Water Management division. The role maintains stormwater infrastructure, operates heavy equipment for pipes, BMPs, and pump stations, and supports routine maintenance, inspections, and emergency response during storms and tidal events.

Essential functions include safety, equipment inspection, site preparation, and assisting with traffic control while supporting public safety and stormwater

Qualifications

• Valid Commercial Driver’s License required.
• Experience operating heavy construction equipment.
• High school diploma or equivalent or higher.

Responsibilities

• Operates heavy construction equipment such as dump trucks, front-end loaders, backhoes, and other mechanical equipment.

Skills

CDL

Heavy equipment operation

Safety awareness

Education

HS diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description
CITY OF NORFOLK: Department of Public Works is currently seeking an Equipment Operator II within the Division of Environmental Storm Water Management. An Equipment Operator II in Storm Water Management plays a key role in maintaining the City of Norfolk’s stormwater infrastructure to help reduce flooding and protect water quality. This position operates and maintains heavy equipment used to clean and repair underground pipes, drainage structures, roadside and off-road ditches, BMPs, and pump stations. By supporting routine maintenance, system inspections, and emergency response during rain and tidal events, the Equipment Operator II helps ensure the stormwater system functions properly, minimizes flooding impacts, and supports the safety and resilience of Norfolk’s communities.

Description
CITY OF NORFOLK: Department of Public Works is currently seeking an Equipment Operator II within the Division of Environmental Storm Water Management. An Equipment Operator II in Storm Water Management plays a key role in maintaining the City of Norfolk’s stormwater infrastructure to help reduce flooding and protect water quality. This position operates and maintains heavy equipment used to clean and repair underground pipes, drainage structures, roadside and off-road ditches, BMPs, and pump stations. By supporting routine maintenance, system inspections, and emergency response during rain and tidal events, the Equipment Operator II helps ensure the stormwater system functions properly, minimizes flooding impacts, and supports the safety and resilience of Norfolk’s communities.
The Department of Public Works builds, maintains, and operates the physical facilities that support and enhance the lives of Norfolk’s citizens, businesses, and visitors, including the City’s Street Network, Traffic Management System, Storm Water System, Waste Management, and Recycling.
The Division of Environmental Storm Water Management is responsible for reducing the threat of flooding and improving water quality throughout the City of Norfolk. The division’s crews maintain and operate the city’s stormwater infrastructure, including underground pipes, drainage structures, roadside and off-road ditches, Best Management Practices (BMPs), and pump stations. By performing routine maintenance, system inspections, and emergency response during rain and tidal events, the division works to minimize flooding impacts, protect public safety, and ensure the continued function and reliability of Norfolk’s stormwater system.
Departmental Hiring Salary Range: $44,994.56-$48,199 (with an additional $5,000 CDL Stipend)
Essential FunctionsEssential functions include but are not limited to:

• Operates heavy construction equipment such as dump trucks, vacuum trucks, front-end loaders, backhoes, and other mechanical equipment.
• Participates in the routine daily functions of a stormwater maintenance crew including assisting with cleaning and maintaining stormwater infrastructure, performing manual digging and debris removal, supporting ditch and drain cleaning, loading and unloading materials, setting up traffic control, maintaining BMPs, and helping restore and clean job sites.
• Supports vacuum truck operations by assisting with the safe setup, operation, and cleanup of equipment used to remove sediment, debris, and blockages from stormwater pipes, catch basins, and drainage structures. Position the truck, manage hoses and vacuum lines, guide excavation and cleaning activities, and ensure debris is properly handled and disposed of.
• Supports the street sweeping program by assisting with debris disposal, equipment staging, and maintenance activities that help ensure clean streets and proper stormwater system function.
• Supports the best management practice (BMP) maintenance by operating equipment to remove sediment, debris, and overgrown vegetation from ponds, outfalls, swales, and other BMPs. Assist with dredging, grading, repairing structural components, restoring proper flow paths, and ensuring BMPs remain functional and compliant with stormwater performance requirements.
• Excavates around damaged stormwater pipes, catch basins, and drainage structures. Operators help install or replace pipe sections, reset or rebuild catch basins, backfill and compact soil, and restore the site to ensure proper function and flow.
• Supports ditch maintenance by operating equipment to remove sediment, debris, and overgrown vegetation from roadside and off-road ditches. They help shape, grade, and restore ditch lines to ensure proper drainage and flow, assist with clearing blockages, and support erosion control efforts.
• Transports workers, equipment, and construction materials to and from job sites.
• Assists with traffic control, site preparation, and basic equipment care, enabling efficient and safe maintenance of the stormwater system.
• Conducts daily pre- and post-trip inspections to check fluids, tires, lights, hydraulics, and overall equipment condition, documenting any issues to ensure safe and reliable operation.
• Performs routine maintenance and minor repairs on assigned equipment, including checking fluid levels, inspecting hoses and fittings, replacing filters, greasing components, tightening bolts, and cleaning equipment to ensure safe and reliable operation. Reports mechanical issues promptly and assists with basic troubleshooting to prevent breakdowns and extend equipment life.
• Supports job site operations by helping load and unload tools, materials, and equipment, and assists with cleaning and restoring work sites to ensure safe, organized, and efficient stormwater maintenance activities.
• Provides direction and basic instruction to helpers, assistants, interns, and temporary employees.
• Provides courteous customer service to residents at job sites by answering basic questions, addressing concerns, and representing the Storm Water Division in a professional and respectful manner.
• Provides support during emergency response efforts, particularly during storm, flooding, or snow events, by assisting with debris removal, clearing drainage paths, operating equipment as needed, and helping ensure public safety through rapid stormwater system response.
• The position requires performing physically demanding tasks, including lifting and carrying up to 75 pounds, working in confined, elevated, or hazardous environments, and performing manual labor such as digging, bending, climbing, and standing for extended periods. Work is performed outdoors in varying weather conditions and around heavy equipment and active job sites.
• Requires sufficient hearing to detect equipment alarms, communicate with crew members, and remain aware of job site hazards. Must have adequate vision and depth perception to safely operate heavy equipment, judge distances, read gauges, and perform detailed inspections of stormwater structures and tools.
• Assists with traffic control at job sites by setting up cones, signs, and barricades, directing vehicles and pedestrians as needed, and ensuring a safe work zone for crew members and the public.
• Work in adverse weather conditions, including extreme hot and cold temperatures and wet / rainy environments during both emergency and non-emergency conditions.

Education/Experience
Work required knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes. Level of knowledge equivalent to four years of high school or equivalency.
One year of experience in maintenance and operating heavy construction equipment or successful completion of the City apprenticeship program.
Additional Information & Requirements

• Must possess valid Commercial Driver’s License. Must provide a copy of Division of Motor Vehicle driving record (obtained within last 30 days) during the interview.
• Preferred candidate will have Class A CDL.
• Preferred candidate will have tanker endorsement.
• Regular full-time and permanent part‑time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long‑term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full‑time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
• Temporary/seasonal and part‑time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre‑tax payroll deduction.
If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre‑tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self‑development and education. Permanent full‑time and permanent part‑time classified, unclassified permanent, full‑time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NoteThe benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.
Non‑CityPositions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
01
The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.
02
Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

03
If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title, and your relationship to the employee. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."
04
Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.
05
Please Select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Associates/Vocational
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher
• No HS Diploma/GED

06
Do you have a valid Virginia Commercial driver’s license? (Please note: A CDL Permit is not considered a CDL license. If you only have a permit, you must answer No to this question.)

• Yes
• No

07
Please indicate the type of CDL you possess.

• Class A
• Class B
• No CDL

08
Do you possess a tanker endorsement?

• Yes
• No

09
Applicants selected for an interview will be required to provide a current (less than 30-days old) DMV record at the time of the interview. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

10
How many years of experience do you have in maintenance or operating heavy construction equipment?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 – 3 years
• 3 – 5 years
• Greater than 5 years

11
Which of the following heavy construction equipment do you have experience operating? Check all that apply.

• Backhoe
• Pay Loader
• Street Sweeper
• Vacuum Truck
• I do not have any experience operating the above heavy equipment.

12
Please list any additional heavy equipment you have operated that is not listed in the previous question. If you do not have any additional experience, type N/A.
13
This position requires the ability to perform physically demanding work, including lifting up to 75 pounds. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

14
Are you able to work outdoors in all weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain or snow?

• Yes
• No

15
I understand this position may be required to work on open water, at severe heights, and in confined spaces. Are you able to work in these conditions?

• Yes
• No

16
I understand that this position will be required to work on-call after hours and 24-hour shifts during emergencies and weather event. Are you able to meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

17
I understand that all Storm Water positions are defined as essential staff. Essential employees must be available to continue to perform their assigned duties in existing severe inclement weather or emergency conditions.

• Yes
• No

18
The expected hiring range for this position is $44,994.56. Are you willing to accept a salary within this range?