EQUIPMENT OPERATOR(Job Id 52611)

New Hampshire Department of Business & Economic Affairs; Portsmouth (NH); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth, NH seeks a full-time Equipment Operator. The role covers operating, maintaining, and repairing a range of light and heavy equipment for roads, grounds maintenance, and snow removal tasks.

Qualifications include a valid driver’s license, ability to pass a state police records check, and physical fitness for heavy lifting.

Qualifications

• Equivalent combination of 2 years of education and experience after high school.
• Education and experience must be in operating and maintaining snow and trail conditioning equipment, including snow-grooming tractors, bulldozers, front end loaders, ATVs and other heavy equipment.
• Valid drivers license
• Must be able to satisfactorily undergo a State Police records check
• Must be in good physical condition and have sufficient strength to do heavy lifting
• Must report to job site or be on standby during emergency situations, as this position is Essential Personnel
• Trainee Option: Candidate with equivalence of 1+ year of relevant education/experience may be hired in Trainee Status

Responsibilities

• Operates complex equipment and attachments used in snow and ice removal operations on airfields, roads and parking lots.
• Performs mechanical maintenance and repairs of equipment including mounting/removing plows and blades.
• Operates light-duty equipment (snow blowers, shovels, saws, mowers) for grounds maintenance and snow removal.
• Provides hands-on training of equipment usage for new personnel and refresher training for experienced staff.
• Assists in construction projects such as sealing/patching roads and repairing pavement.
• Works with in-house staff or contractors on emergency repairs of base underground utilities.
• Operates dump trucks, backhoes and excavators to locate and repair issues and restore sites.
• Performs pre-trip inspections and cleans equipment after use.

Skills

Valid driver’s license

Physical fitness

Education

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

**EQUIPMENT OPERATOR(Job Id 52611)**

Location: US:NH:PORTSMOUTH

Occupation Category: 47-0000 Construction and Extraction Occupations

Employment Type: FULL-TIME

Post Date: 07/20/2026

Close Date: 09/23/2026

Salary: 17.810-23.390

**Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services**

Pease Air National Guard Base

Portsmouth, NH

**EQUIPMENT OPERATOR**

Position #19343

$17.81/hour - $23.39/hour

40 Hour Basic Work Week

This position offers a Trainee Status* at the following pay rate: $17.19/hour.

• See total compensation information at the bottom of announcement.**

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services has a full-time vacancy for Equipment Operator.

Summary

Operates, maintains, and repairs a variety of light and heavy equipment used in performing roads and grounds maintenance tasks and snow removal operations at the Pease Air National Guard Base.

• YOUR EXPERIENCE COUNTS:** Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience and/or each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education/Experience:** Equivalent combination of 2 years of education and experience after completion of high school. Education and experience must be in operating and maintaining snow and trail conditioning equipment, including snow-grooming tractors, bulldozers, front end loaders, ATVs and other types of heavy equipment.
• License/Certification:** Valid drivers license

Other Requirements

• Must be able to satisfactorily undergo a State Police records check
• Must be in good physical condition and have sufficient strength to do heavy lifting
• Must report to job site or be on standby during emergency situations, such as snow, inclement weather or building emergencies, as this position is designated as Essential Personnel. Overtime in support of snow removal operations is mandatory
• Trainee Option:** Candidates with an equivalent combination of 1+ year of relevant education and experience after completion of high school or equivalent may be considered and hired in Trainee Status for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in operating heavy equipment, working knowledge and repair of diesel powered equipment, and possession of a Class A or B commercial drivers license.

After-hire Requirements

Must be able to pass a National Agency Check (NAC) in order to obtain a Common Access Card (CAC) used in the performance of assigned work duties within 12 months of hire and be eligible for renewal as a condition of employment.

Career Advancement Opportunities

In-Band Advancement Available: Yes **No**

Broad Group Level Advancement Available: Yes **No**

Disclaimers

The supplemental job description lists the essential functions of the position and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description provided that such duties are characteristic of that job title.

The work of an employee in trainee status in this position shall be overseen by a fully qualified individual. An employee in trainee status shall meet the minimum qualifications within the period of time specified on the SJD, not to exceed one year of being hired into this position.

Responsibilities

Operates complex equipment and attachments, such as but not limited to, Oshkosh with rollover plow or blower, Oshkosh snow blowers, Timco sweeper, 20-foot snow pushers and brooms, loaders, and sanders, involved in snow and ice removal operations from pavement on airfield, roads and parking lots.

Performs specialized mechanical maintenance and rep irs of assigned equipment and attachments which includes but is not limited to mounting and removing plows, chains, plow shoes, and cutting blades.

Operates light duty equipment such as snow blowers, shovels, saws, mowers, trimmers, and rakes while performing grounds maintenance tasks to include removing snow from walkways and sidewalks, chipping brush and cutting/trimming trees around 219 acres of fence line, and mowing and raking 260 acre lawns.

Performs hands‑on training of all equipment used in snow removal operations with new personnel assigned to snow removal, and provides refresher training for experience personnel as needed.

Assists and participates in construction projects to include sealing and patching road surfaces, maintaining and repairing concrete and asphalt pavement, cleaning catch basins, and removing debris basewide.

Works with in‑house personnel or contractors in emergency repairs of the base underground utility systems. Operating dump trucks, backhoes and excavators to find, expose, repair and return worksite back to pre‑repair condition. Repairs may require heavy physical labor.

Performs pre‑trip vehicle inspections and safety checks prior to equipment use and services/cleans equipment after use and as needed.

For further information please contact Cheri Fitzgerald, Human Resources: [e-mail] or 603-227-1527.

• TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION**

The State of NH total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits, including:

HMO Or POS Medical And Prescription Drug Benefits

The actual value of State-paid health benefits and the amount of employee health benefit contributions may vary depending on the type of plan selected and the bargaining unit with which a position is associated.

See This Link For Details On State-paid Health Benefits

https://www.das.nh.gov/hr/benefits.aspx

Value of State's share of Employee's Retirement: 12.87% of pay

Other Benefits

• Dental Plan at minimal cost for employees and their families ($500-$1800 value)
• Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• State defined benefit retirement plan and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• Work/life balance flexible schedules, paid holidays and generous leave plan
• $50,000 state-paid life insurance plus additional low-cos