Equipment Operator Specialist - Panhandle

Texas Department of Transportation; Panhandle (TX); On-site; USD 48,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Department of Transportation in Panhandle, TX is seeking an Equipment Operator Specialist to maintain and operate a variety of heavy equipment. The role requires discipline, safety, and the ability to work with a team to support road maintenance and emergency response efforts.

The position supports the Amarillo District, offers strong benefits, and requires a valid Texas CDL. The work schedule includes day shifts with potential nights and weekends, onsite in Panhandle.

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience operating maintenance and/or construction equipment.
• Substitutions for experience may be satisfied by related college education or technical training (year-for-year).
• Must have a valid Texas Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for equipment operation at the time of application.
• Knowledge of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and basic vehicle maintenance procedures.
• Ability to prioritize and organize work and operate light and heavy highway equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operate a range of heavy equipment (grader, excavator, bulldozer, crane, dump truck).
• Perform preventive maintenance inspections and minor repairs.
• Train other staff on equipment operation and safety procedures.
• Assist with traffic control and emergency response operations.
• Maintain reports (time-keeping, PMI, inventory) and documents.

Skills

Equipment operation

Safety procedures

Reading and following instructions

Job description

Job Description

Position Information

Grow Your Career with TxDOT – Equipment Operator Specialist Opening in Panhandle, TX
The Amarillo District is looking for a motivated Equipment Operator to join our Panhandle Maintenance Section. Whether you're already part of the TxDOT family or looking to bring your skills to a team that values safety, reliability, and respect, this is a great opportunity to build your career. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, and a strong focus on work-life balance. At TxDOT, we live by our core values: improving safety, valuing our employees, and preserving our assets. Join a team that works hard, supports one another, and takes pride in serving the community.

Minimum Salary

48,244.00

Maximum Salary

76,028.00

Pay Basis

Yearly FLSA Status : Nonexempt

Work Locations

Carson 2 Co Maint Sec 101 S ELSIE ST Panhandle 79068

Travel

Yes, 25 % of the Time Shift : Day Job Shift Details : 40 hours/week; Monday - Thursday; Possible nights, weekends, holidays & hours other than 7-5:30 Location Flexibility : Onsite

Position Description

Performs highly complex transportation maintenance work operating heavy equipment such as: a tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt distributor, profiling/milling machine, and dump truck. Work requires contact with private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

• Trains other employees on equipment operation and safety procedures.
• Assists in providing support to local law enforcement officials at accident sites; assists stranded motorists as required.
• Assists with traffic control; places and gathers cones, warning signs and barricades; flags traffic.
• Monitors and completes various required reports including time-keeping, equipment forms, inventory, accident forms, Preventative Maintenance Inspection (PMI) checklist, and records work in progress.
• Operates light equipment such as a front-end loader one and a quarter cubic yards or less, pneumatic roller, rotary broom, spreader box, backhoe, street sweeper, and mower.
• Operates one or more types of complex heavy equipment such as tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt profiling/milling machine and dump truck.
• Performs preventive maintenance inspections (PMI), routine servicing and minor repairs on equipment; as required uses/moves equipment/tools, materials and products related to these activities to include tires and equipment attachments.
• May serve as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.
• Operates heavy equipment performing highly complex transportation maintenance and roadway repairs.
• Sands or cleans bridges and roads, posting warning signs, helping the public and performing other work as directed during emergency situations such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, accidents and hazardous material spills.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: 2 year(s) experience in maintenance and/or construction equipment operation. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Must have a valid Texas Commercial Driver's License for equipment operation at the time of application.

Considerable knowledge of:

The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

Basic vehicle mechanics, maintenance and repair procedures.

Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes

Prioritizing and organizing work assignments

Using applicable hand and power tools, equipment, and mechanical devices of the trade.

Operating light and heavy highway equipment

Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others.

Maintaining a safe working environment.

Ability to:

Follow verbal and written instructions

Drive and ride in a vehicle for extended periods.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions

Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour

Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals

Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device

Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs

Standing-prolonged periods of time

Walking-moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another

Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• Must be able to report for duty within 60 minutes of notification on a 24-hour basis to respond to emergency situations.

Job

Maint/Skilled Craft/Ferry Ops

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Type

Standard

Job Level

Non-Management