Equipment Operator III - Regional Wastewater Reclamation

Pima County; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Heavy Equipment Operator III. This role operates and maintains specialized equipment used in construction, system operations, site clean-up, material transport, and waste disposal.

Some assignments involve interaction with the public and hazardous conditions, requiring emphasis on safety and teamwork. Class A CDL is required, with five years of heavy equipment experience.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience operating heavy equipment such as front-end loaders, motor graders/scrapers, backhoes, bulldozers, trenchers, and similar construction equipment including experience with commercial transportation equipment.
• Completion of a vocational/technical program from an accredited college or technical school in heavy equipment operations may substitute for six months of experience.
• Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Operates a variety of equipment such as graders, water trucks, backhoes, boom trucks, trenchers, dump trucks and front-end loaders to maintain and transport waste materials.
• Operates compactors and conveyors to move waste material and load dump trucks for transport to drying beds or landfill.
• Hauls waste material to landfill and ensures compliance with environmental and dumping regulations as needed.
• Performs minor equipment repairs and servicing and assists in cleaning sludge from aerators and tanks using appropriate PPE.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

CDL required

Safety awareness

Education

Vocational/technical program

Tools

Tractor/semi-trailer

Dump trucks

Front-end loaders

Job description

Job Description Summary

Department - Regional Wastewater Reclamation

Job Description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5685 - Equipment Operator III

Salary Grade: 8

Pay Range

Hiring Range: $23.98 - $28.19 Per Hour

Pay Range: $23.98 - $32.39 Per Hour

Range Explanation

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

The first review of applications will be on 09/11/2026

The Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of heavy Equipment Operator III. This role is integral to our mission of safeguarding public health and protecting the environment through effective wastewater and solid waste management. In this position, you will be responsible for operating and maintaining specialized equipment used in construction, system operations, site clean-up, material transport, and waste disposal. Specific duties may vary depending on the assigned area. Some assignments may involve significant interaction with the public and working in environments that include hazardous conditions, exposure to noxious or potentially harmful materials, and unpleasant odors. If you are looking for a career in an industrial setting, have experience as a Heavy Equipment Operator, enjoy a teamwork environment, and meet the minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply.

Essential Functions

Class A CDL Required.

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Operates a variety of equipment such as graders, water trucks, backhoes, boom trucks, trenchers, dump trucks and front-end loaders, in a wastewater treatment facility, to maintain, transfer and transport waste products;
• Operates compactors and conveyors to move waste material and load dump trucks for transport to drying beds or landfill;
• Moves waste materials and loads dump trucks for transport to drying beds or designated landfill sites using appropriate equipment;
• Watches for and removes materials or items that may clog conveyor system;
• Removes debris or blockages to maintain safe and efficient equipment operation;
• Assists in cleaning sludge from aerators, tanks, and ponds using a skid steer, crane, or dump truck and appropriate personal safety equipment or clothing and must be confined-space certified; performs sludge removal from aerators, tanks, and ponds using heavy equipment while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE); uses hand tools or equipment to load sludge from bottom of aerators into bucket for leading into dump truck;
• Uses hand tools or equipment to clean and perform minor repairs on machinery, remove fallen debris, and clear areas that are too delicate for heavy equipment;
• Hauls waste material to landfill, ensuring compliance with environmental and dumping regulations as needed;
• Maintains drying beds clean and uses appropriate equipment to move waste material to assure even drying;
• Uses a front-end loader, grader, and/or dump truck to maintain drying beds, ponds, and nearby areas free of weeds and trimming trees;
• Uses a backhoe to excavate around high volume lines and valves or repair sinkholes;
• Operates vacuum trucks to clean out sumps;
• Performs minor equipment repairs and servicing;
• Participates in a variety of manual labor tasks when assisting mechanics and technicians;
• Operate and maintain a 3:1 slope ratio on embankments;
• Hauls liquid waste from outlying plants to designated disposal facilities using a semi-truck with a smoothbore trailer.

Minimum Qualifications

Five years of experience operating heavy equipment such as front-end loaders, motor graders/scrapers, backhoes, bulldozers, trenchers, and similar earthmoving or construction equipment INCLUDING experience in operating commercial transportation equipment including tractors, tractor/semi-trailer combinations and other CDL operated vehicles.

(Completion of a vocational/technical program from an accredited college or technical school in heavy equipment operations may be substituted for six months of the required experience.)

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

Or

Three years of experience with Pima County as an Equipment Operator II INCLUDING an Arizona Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.)

• Minimum three (3) years experience in operating a variety of equipment such as graders, water trucks, backhoes, boom trucks, trenchers, dump trucks, tankers, and front-end loaders.
• Minimum one (1) year experience in over-the-road wet and dry material transporting and trailering equipment.
• Experience with/knowledge of traffic laws, local, state, and federal rules and regulations as applied to vehicle and heavy equipment operation procedures.

Selection Procedure

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record. This position requires a valid Arizona Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) at the time of application. Additionally, a Tanker Endorsement must be obtained prior to completion of the first six months in the position. Failure to obtain/maintain the required licensure and endorsement shall be grounds for termination. A valid Arizona commercial driver's license (CDL), Class A, Class B, or Class C with appropriate endorsements is required. For these positions, failure to maintain the required CDL may be grounds for termination. Positions requiring a CDL are also subject to applicable State of Arizona and federal standards, rules, and regulations on physical requirements including drug and alcohol testing. Failure to obtain/maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination. This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Positions requiring a CDL are also subject to applicable State of Arizona and federal standards, rules, and regulations on physical requirements, including drug and alcohol testing. This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Constantly operates and inspects mechanical equipment. Constantly positions self to use, inspect, clean or repair tools and machinery. Constantly observes details at close range. Frequently required to exchange accurate information. Frequently remains in a stationary position. Frequently moves tools and equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds across the manufacturing floor. Frequently operates a motor vehicle safely and legally, in accordance with applicable state and federal transportation laws. Occasionally moves tools and equipment weighing up to seventy-five (75) pounds across the manufacturing floor. Occasionally ascends/descends machinery and equipment to repair/service. Action Activity - bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching, squatting and stooping; Motion Activity - grasping and fine movement; Hearing Activity - in noisy areas, on a radio, behind themselves, and equipment alarms; Speaking Activity - in the phone and on the radio; Vision - operate a motor vehicle; operate a forklift/power industrial equipment, distinguish colors, have depth perception, and peripheral vision. Frequently required to lift, push or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: Constantly exposed to loud noise levels. Constantly exposed to moving mechanical parts. Occasionally exposed to mechanical oils, vibration, and risk of electrical shock. Work in extremes of heat, humidity, dust, or cold.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.