Equipment Operator III - Public Works

Charlottecountyfl; Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Charlotte County is seeking an experienced equipment operator to run heavy trucks and complex machinery on public works projects. Safety, accuracy, and leadership are essential as you may lead small crews and coordinate daily tasks to meet schedules and quality standards.

Required are a high school diploma with vocational training and five years of field experience, plus a valid A CDL. Proficiency in MS Office and strong safety awareness are expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with vocational/technical training.
• Five years of experience operating equipment for public infrastructure projects.
• Valid “A” CDL with endorsements required.
• Knowledge of MS Office applications for reporting.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy trucks, tractors, and medium- to heavy-duty equipment on projects.
• Lead small crews, coordinate daily tasks, and ensure schedule compliance.
• Set up secure work zones and monitor site safety and conditions.
• Maintain equipment and complete required reports and customer service interactions.

Skills

Equipment operation

Leadership

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

High school diploma with vocational training

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Are you a highly skilled equipment operator who takes pride in precision, safety, and leadership? In this advanced role, you’ll operate heavy trucks, tractors, and complex medium- to heavy-duty equipment to support public works operations. Your expertise in maneuvering large, sophisticated machinery—often in tight or high-traffic environments—will be essential to completing projects accurately and efficiently.

You’ll serve as a primary equipment operator on construction and maintenance projects involving roads, storm drainage systems, grading, excavation, landscaping, and landfill operations. Equipment may include dump and tanker trucks, loaders, dozers, excavators, motor graders, compactors, mowers, roll-off trucks, and other specialized machinery requiring a high degree of skill and control. You’ll also operate hand and power tools, assist with loading and unloading materials, and maintain clean, organized job sites.

Safety and accountability are central to this position. You’ll set up secure work zones, monitor site conditions, perform routine equipment maintenance and minor adjustments, and ensure all work meets operational and safety standards. You may also assist with the identification and separation of hazardous materials in accordance with established guidelines.

In addition to your technical expertise, you may serve as a crew leader—guiding small teams, coordinating daily tasks, and ensuring projects stay on schedule and meet quality expectations. You’ll complete required reports and provide professional customer service when interacting with internal teams and the public.

If you’re an experienced operator ready to bring advanced skills and leadership to impactful community projects, this role offers the opportunity to take your expertise to the next level while helping maintain the infrastructure that supports daily life.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent with some vocational or technical training in equipment maintenance and operations.
• Five (5) years 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.

You have a strong understanding of departmental policies, modern office practices, and common computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You’re knowledgeable about traffic laws and regulations governing the transport and operation of equipment on public roadways, including the safe handling of hazardous materials.

You bring solid technical knowledge of construction and maintenance operations, including excavation, drainage, surfacing, and street paving processes, as well as the materials used such as asphalt and aggregates. You understand the operating methods, care, and maintenance of automotive and heavy construction equipment, and you consistently apply safety regulations and hazard awareness in the field.

You’re skilled in operating heavy equipment safely and in compliance with applicable laws and manufacturer guidelines. Organized and dependable, you can prioritize work, meet deadlines, and carry out written and verbal instructions independently. You approach challenges with sound judgment, resourcefulness, and professionalism.

In addition, you communicate clearly, maintain accurate records and reports, and are comfortable using standard office equipment and software for documentation and data entry. You’re physically capable of performing manual labor in varying weather conditions and operating motor vehicles as required.

Above all, you value teamwork and service—building strong working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, service providers, and the public while providing clear guidance and responsive customer assistance.

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 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.