Equipment Operator Junior

St. Louis County, Minnesota; Chaska (MN); On-site; USD 33,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private use allowance $0.25/hr

Safety shoe allowance $250/yr

Outdoor outerwear reimbursement up to$

Job summary

St. Louis County, Minnesota is hiring for multiple locations (Kabetogama, Cook, Cotton, Hibbing, Pike Lake) to perform routine semi-skilled labor in the construction and maintenance of county roadways.

The role involves operating motorized equipment, basic repairs, and following supervisor directions in varied outdoor settings. The position offers a competitive hourly wage with a normal hiring range and additional allowances; applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States and

Qualifications

• Must be eighteen (18) years of age by the first scheduled day of work or seventeen (17) with high school diploma.
• Possession of a Class 'B' Commercial Driver's License without an airbrake restriction and a Class 'A' with tank endorsement; probation restrictions apply.
• One year of full-time paid experience operating motorized equipment or graduation from a heavy equipment program.

Responsibilities

• Operates motorized equipment for construction, repair, and maintenance of county roadways.
• Performs minor repairs and routine maintenance on equipment.
• Works under supervision of assigned staff and adheres to safety guidelines.

Skills

General labor tasks

Education

CDL Class B (airbrake restriction not allowed)

CDL Class A with Tank Vehicle Endorsement

Job description

Now hiring for vacancies in Kabetogama, Cook, Cotton, Hibbing and Pike Lake.

This position conducts routine semi-skilled work and operation of motorized equipment used in the construction and maintenance of County roadways.

The salary range reflected above is the normal hiring range for 2026. The full salary range, including longevity pay, is $24.06 - $33.63 per hour.

In addition to the hourly wage listed above employee's are eligible for:

• A private use allowance of $.25 per hour for actual hours worked.
• Safety shoe allowance of $250 per year, payable in December.
• May receive up to $250 reimbursement towards the purchase of acceptable reimbursable outdoor outerwear annually.

Please Note: As part of the application process, applicants will select the location they would be willing to work. This information will be used to filter the eligible list and ensure applicants are being referred for interview according to their location(s) preference. Current vacancies exist for Kabetogama, Cook, Cotton, Hibbing and Pike Lake. Please be aware this list may be used to fill additional vacancies that arise.

St. Louis County does not participate in E-Verify. All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County, on a full-time basis. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.

An employee in this class performs a variety of general labor tasks and serves in an apprenticeship status as an operator of motorized equipment used in the construction, repair and maintenance of County roadways. Duties include the minor repair and maintenance, and safe and efficient operation of equipment. The work is performed under the direction of assigned supervisory staff.

These work environment factors are general in nature and may vary depending on the specific position being filled.

CONSTANT

Lift and carry up to 20 pounds; push/pull - arms up to 32 pounds; push/pull - legs up to 90 pounds; grip strength up to 32 pounds; balance, hand/finger coordination; bend & reach below fingertips; reach (forward/side); reach (backward); sit (with positional changes); stand/walk; vision (near, far, field of vision & color); hearing (close and distant); driving.

FREQUENT

Grip strength up to 40 pounds; rotate neck and rotate trunk.

OCCASIONAL

Lift and carry up to 75 pounds; push/pull - arms up to 65 pounds; grip strength up to 75 pounds; climb ladders/stairs; kneeling/crawling/squatting; reach (overhead); smell.

RARE

Push/pull - arms up to 150 pounds; grip strength up to 160 pounds (both hands).

Lighting: Natural, may work outdoors in darkness.

Flooring: Concrete, blacktop, gravel, uneven terrain (hills, ditches, etc.) Walking surface can be affected by weather.

Temperature: Exposure to all weather conditions. May work entire shift outdoors in all conditions. Temperature can be controlled in vehicle cabs.

Noise Level: Noise levels at above levels.

Ventilation: Exposure to exhaust, tar fumes, paint fumes, etc.

Environment: Works outdoors and indoors independently and with others with frequent interruptions and deadlines requiring concentration, critical decision-making skills, detailed work, multitasking and organizational skills; moderate people/public contact.

NOTE: Frequent use of awkward body mechanics, jerking motions, high degree of vibration while operating equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass/Fail)

• Must be eighteen (18) years of age by the first scheduled day of work OR seventeen (17) years of age AND high school graduate.
• Possession of a Class 'B' Commercial Driver's License without an airbrake restriction and possession of a Class 'A' Commercial Driver's License with a tank vehicle endorsement and without any of the following restrictions by completion of probation: air brake, full air brake, manual transmission or tractor trailer. Failure to obtain the appropriate Class 'A' License by completion of probation will result in termination from the position.
• One (1) year full-time paid verifiable experience operating motorized equipment other than automobiles or light utility vehicles; OR graduation from a program focused on heavy equipment operation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Experience with tandem axle dump trucks, front end loaders 2 cubic yards or larger, tracked dozers, wheeled and tracked type excavators and motor graders.

RATING SYSTEM

• Points will be awarded based on the applicants answers to supplemental questions 10-22.
• Experience beyond ten years may be included on the application for purposes of meeting minimum qualifications or informing the hiring authority of your complete employment history.

Please Note: When answering the supplemental questions on the website, the webpage may time out after 30 minutes. It's recommended you draft your answers in a separate document and copy/paste the answers into the application when you're finished writing. Failure to answer and save all of the questions on the "Supplemental Questions" page within 30 minutes may result in the deletion of your answers by the application system.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT & SCREENING PROCESS SCHEDULE

• November 11, 2026 - Application screening will begin
• Week of November 23, 2026 - Supplemental question scoring to be completed
• Week of December 7, 2026 - Interview to be conducted

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at www.stlouiscountymn.gov/jobdescriptions.

VETERANS PREFERENCE

• Veteran: DD214 noting character of service
• Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months.
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months & marriage certificate. (Eligible only if Veteran is unable to qualify because of the disability.)
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran: DD214, Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate.

Please refer to Minnesota Statute 197.455 for additional requirements.

PHYSICAL-MEDICAL STANDARDS

Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position.

DRUG TESTING

Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test.

BACKGROUND CHECK

Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County are subject to a background investigation.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION

All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Appointees to the position must successfully complete at least a six-month probationary period prior to being certified for permanent employment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.