Equipment Operator - Multiple Locations Available

Cochise County; Bisbee (AZ); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Cochise County invites applications for an Equipment Operator in Elfrida or Willcox. This safety-sensitive, merit-system position offers an hourly wage of $17.00 to $19.50 and a comprehensive benefits package, including participation in the Arizona State Retirement System.

Under general supervision, you will operate a wide range of vehicles and heavy equipment, perform routine maintenance on roadways and related structures, and may supervise a small crew. Post-offer drug testing applies.

Qualifications

• One (1) year of experience operating equipment in construction or a field related to the specific job.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and ability to be covered by county insurance; OR attain an Arizona Class A CDL within 5 months of employment date.

Responsibilities

• Operates a variety of equipment, including large vehicles and heavy equipment.
• Maintains and performs routine maintenance on roadways, right of ways, and flood control structures; may operate equipment in the support of Solid Waste operations, to include trucking.
• Applies mathematical computations for projects and maintenance, including on-site projects, such as: cutting slopes, reading blueprints, and surveying; prepares reports.
• Performs operator-level maintenance on vehicles and equipment; performs manual labor.

Skills

Traffic laws

Safety precautions

Operate equipment

Vehicle maintenance

Blueprint interpretation

Surveying

Math computations

Communication skills

Crew supervision

Inmate supervision

Tools

Arizona Class A CDL

Job description

EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

OPENINGS AVAILABLE IN ELFRIDA OR WILLCOX

CLASSIFIED: Position is subject to the provisions of the Merit System Rules pursuant to Arizona Law

OPENS: Monday, October 5, 2026

Position is open until filled with applications reviewed upon receipt and may close at any time.

to include membership in the Arizona State Retirement System.

PLEASE NOTE: All positions require a post offer, pre-employment background screening.

PLEASE NOTE: This safety sensitive position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.

ANTICIPATED RATE OF PAY: $17.00 - $19.50 hourly dependent upon qualifications, plus a comprehensive benefits package to include membership in the Arizona State Retirement System.

NATURE OF WORK

Under general supervision, performs skilled work of moderate to considerable difficulty in the operation of a wide variety of vehicles and heavy equipment; performs related work as required or assigned.

Essential Functions

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 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.

TYPICAL DUTIES

Operates a variety of equipment, including large vehicles and heavy equipment. Maintains and performs routine maintenance on roadways, right of ways, and flood control structures; may operate equipment in the support of Solid Waste operations, to include trucking. Applies mathematical computations for projects and maintenance, including on-site projects, such as: cutting slopes, reading blueprints, and surveying; prepares reports. Performs operator-level maintenance on vehicles and equipment; performs manual labor. May supervise a small number of operators, workers, and laborers, potentially including inmates.

Minimum Qualifications

One (1) year of experience operating equipment in construction or a field related to the specific job. Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and ability to be covered by county insurance; OR attain an Arizona Class A CDL within 5 months of employment date.

An equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved may be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference may be given to applicants who possess a Class A Commercial Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Considerable knowledge of:

• traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations;
• occupational hazards and proper safety precautions.

Good knowledge of:

• the operation, maintenance of vehicles and heavy equipment.

Working knowledge of:

• interpretation of blueprints;
• surveying techniques.

Considerable skill in:

• operating and servicing equipment.

Good skill in:

• making mathematical computations.

Ability to:

• operate various types of equipment safely and efficiently;
• perform manual labor;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public;
• read, write and speak English;
• follow written and verbal instruction;
• communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
• oversee a crew engaged in unskilled or semi-skilled tasks.
• supervise an inmate work crew.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed under general supervision, in a variety of climatic conditions and may include confined spaces.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Essential functions of this position require: lifting, manual dexterity, large motor skills and ability to communicate.

Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body; involves sitting only occasionally, walking and standing are required regularly, incumbents may be required to kneel, crouch/squat, crawl, climb, stoop, turn/twist, balance, reach, or handle.

Mental Application: Utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, critical thinking, adaptability and creative problem-solving skills are important.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for those that are able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Cochise County is an Equal Opportunity Employer