Heavy Equipment Operator

City of Culver City; Culver City (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Culver City is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator in the Maintenance Operations Division of the Public Works Department. The role involves operating heavy equipment, ensuring safe traffic flow, and supporting sidewalks and streetwork.

Candidates must have at least three years of experience with medium equipment and hold a California Class A license without air brake restrictions; a pre-employment medical and drug screen are required.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience operating medium equipment such as backhoes, front, side or rear loaders, sanitation vehicles or similar equipment.
• Safety-sensitive position under FMCSA regulations; pre-employment medical examination and drug screen.
• Possession of a valid State of California class "A" driver license without air brake restrictions.

Responsibilities

• Set up job sites safely and manage traffic control devices to ensure proper traffic flow.
• Operate heavy equipment near motorized traffic and in public right of way.
• Perform safety checks and routine servicing of equipment; report necessary repairs.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety compliance

Tools

California Class A driver license (no air brake restrictions)

Job description

Culver City is a Charter City incorporated in 1917, and is a destination filled with outdoor cafes, unique shops and galleries opening onto pedestrian-friendly boulevards. Culver City has a dedicated staff of approximately 800 employees with an overall budget of approximately $370 million. The City provides a full range of municipal services including Fire, Police, Housing and Human Services, Planning and Development, Public Works, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, and Transportation.

Heavy Equipment Operator

*The current vacancy is in the Maintenance Operations Division, Public Works Department.

Essential Job Duties

The following tasks are essential for this position. Incumbents in this classification may not perform all of these tasks or may perform similar related tasks not listed here.

• Ensures job sites are set up in a safe manner by maintaining the placement of traffic control devices to ensure proper traffic flow.
• Operates heavy motorized equipment within close proximity to motorized traffic.
• Performs safety checks and routine servicing of assigned motorized equipment including fueling and lubrication of vehicles. Identifies maintenance and repair needs and reports necessary equipment repairs.
• Performs related duties as assigned. The following essential duties are specific to the designated assignment.

• Repairs asphalt and concrete surfaces and sub-grade failures and maintains alleys by operating motorized equipment.
• Assists in the placement of concrete sidewalks, curbs, gutters and streets.
• Operates heavy equipment in the public right of way. Delineates work zones to ensure pedestrian safety.
• Uses hand and power tools including, but not limited to, root cutter, chain saw, vibration plate, air compressor/jack hammer, shovel, pick, broom or similar tools.

Minimum Requirements:

Any combination equivalent to training and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be: three years of experience in the operation of medium equipment such as backhoes, front, side or rear loaders, sanitation vehicles or similar equipment.

Note:

Positions in this job classification are considered safety sensitive under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSA) drug and alcohol regulations and are, therefore, subject to specific employment reference verifications. Prior to appointment, candidates must pass a pre-employment medical examination, which will include a drug screen for detection of the presence of controlled/uncontrolled illegal substances. A positive pre-placement drug test, or a refusal to test, may result in rejection of the candidate.

Licenses and Certificates:

Maintenance Operations Division (Street Maintenance): Possession of a valid State of California class "A" driver license without air brake restrictions.

Applicants must receive a passing score on all examination components in order to be placed on the eligible list.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

• PERFORMANCE TEST (weighted at 60%): To measure ability to operate heavy equipment. (Tentatively scheduled for the week of November 30, 2026).
• ORAL APPRAISAL INTERVIEW (weighted at 40%): To evaluate training, experience and personal qualifications. (Tentatively scheduled for the week of December 7, 2026)

The provisions of this job posting do not constitute a contract, express or implied, and any provisions in this posting may be modified or revoked without notice.

Continuation in the examination process and subsequent placement on the eligible list of a person convicted of a crime depends upon the nature of the conviction and the conduct of the applicant subsequent to the offense. Convictions will be evaluated on a job related basis and will not automatically disqualify someone from further consideration.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Culver City is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, religion, political affiliation, or sexual orientation/identification.

Conditions of Employment:

• Background/ Reference Check: Upon a conditional job offer, a live scan finger printing must be completed with acceptable results. Your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice(DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with the City. If you are selected as a finalist, you will be contacted to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.Upon hire, employee is subject to further reporting fromDOJ via subsequent arrest notification.
• Pre-placement medical evaluation including drug screen (select positions)

E-Verify: Proof of U.S. citizenship, alien residency or authorization to work in the U.S. will be required at time of appointment.