HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Fulton County, GA; Georgia; On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Fulton County in Georgia seeks a skilled heavy equipment operator for public works projects at multiple county locations, including Alpharetta and Atlanta. The role requires operating track and rubber-tired machinery, performing digging, grading, and material handling with strict safety adherence.

Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or GED and at least three years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and training.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Three years of experience in construction, repair, and/or maintenance of public infrastructure or an equivalent mix of education, training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Maneuver heavy equipment to perform digging, earth moving, grading, and loading for county road and utility projects.
• Operate excavator, track hoe, backhoe for skilled digging and trenching with attention to tolerances.
• Operate loader to move materials and load trucks, ensuring payload is within capacity.
• Operate motor grader, scraper, and excavator to set gradients and prepare surfaces to spec.
• Operate bulldozer, scraper, and compactor for rough grades and soil compaction on large projects.
• Inspect and perform light maintenance on equipment; secure vehicle after use.

Skills

Track equipment operation

Rubber-tired equipment

Safety compliance

On-site driving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Excavator

Track hoe

Backhoe

Loader

Motor grader

Scraper

Bulldozer

Job description

UNCLASSIFIED POSITION IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

LOCATIONS:

11575 MAXWELL RD., ALPHARETTA, GA 30009

7472 COCHRAN ROAD ATLANTA, GA 30349

3929 AVIATION CIRCLE ATLANTA, GA 30349

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED preferred; three years of experience in the construction, repair, and/or maintenance of public infrastructure or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required:

Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia Class B Commercial Driver's License; some assignments may require a Georgia Class A Commercial Driver's License and/or special endorsements; must obtain and maintain Flagging Certification within the timeframes established by the department.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities:

Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in operating track and large, rubber-tired equipment included in this classification. Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Veterans’ Preference:

Qualifying veterans will be given preference in the form of a guaranteed invitation to interview for any position to which they applied and have been found to have met the minimum qualifications. Veterans’ preference provides for hiring preference on initial appointment only. To see the full Fulton County Veterans’ Preference Policy and Procedure, please

Examination:

The examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience, accomplished by analysis of the application. Application must document that the applicant possesses the minimum knowledge, skills, education and experience as listed to be rated as qualified. If selected, an official, accredited college transcript is required, at time of employment, for all degrees/course work used to qualify for this position.

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to operate track or rubber-tired construction equipment with specialized functions related to maintenance and construction activities where the operation of complex mechanisms requires the highest degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse, and where work is performed to exacting tolerances. Classification is reserved for those positions where operation of included equipment is the primary function of the job.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Maneuvers heavy equipment and operates complex mechanisms involving digging, moving earth and materials, grading, loading, and performing similar tasks in order to advance projects relating to construction and maintenance of County roads, grounds, property, utilities, rights-of-way, and other infrastructure; equipment is primarily driven and operated on-site, but does require some driving over public roads; maneuvers in and around traffic, crew workers, equipment, utilities, and other obstacles; obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines; monitors immediate environment and work area to ensure the safety of operator, other workers, the equipment, and the public.

Operates excavator, track hoe, and backhoe to perform skilled digging and trenching for maintenance, upkeep, and construction projects for public utilities and other infrastructure, where exacting tolerances and specification are required; controls placement of equipment and determines optimum approach to each digging scenario in order to minimize destruction of property and avoid electric, water, sewer, and other public utility lines.

Operates a track or rubber-tired loader with large volume and weight capacities to load materials into trucks or move them over short distances; positions equipment and controls height, angle, and position of scoop for optimum delivery of payload; controls amount and weight of materials being lifted to avoid exceeding equipment capacity.

Operates motor-grader, scraper, and excavator with blade attachment to set gradients for large construction and maintenance projects such as roads, landscaping, embankments, and other projects requiring exacting specifications related to slope, angle, and pitch; determines appropriate settings and adjusts blades for height, angle, and pitch to achieve desired outcome; maneuvers equipment and operates mechanisms to skillfully set gradient, smooth surfaces, and spread materials.

Operates bulldozer, scraper, and compactor to move earth, gravel, sand, and other materials for large construction and maintenance projects and landfill operations; operates mechanisms to establish rough grades or to smooth and compact surfaces in preparation for pavement, construction, or other work.

Inspects and prepares equipment for safe and proper operation prior to beginning work for the day; performs light maintenance on equipment, which includes changing oil, refueling, and refilling lubricants; cleans vehicles, beds, and mounted equipment upon completion of assignments; secures vehicle after use.

Transports, loads and unloads various materials and equipment used in projects.

Performs manual labor in support of construction, maintenance, and upkeep projects: lifts, moves, loads, and unloads materials, equipment, tools, furniture, and supplies; digs ditches, trenches, and holes manually or utilizing power equipment; shovels, rakes, spreads, compacts, and levels dirt, rock, asphalt, cement, and other materials; retrieves supplies, materials, tools, equipment and other items and runs various errands as needed; collects and transports materials, supplies, tools, and equipment to and from the worksite; removes litter, debris, and deceased animals from roadways and other county property.

Follows established safety procedures: utilizes safety equipment and wears protective gear; monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; monitors traffic conditions surrounding trucks/equipment to identify obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic conditions; flags and directs traffic and places markers, signs and cones around project/work site to ensure safety of crew and the traveling public; reports any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.

Receives, prepares or completes various forms and documentation, including work orders, time cards, maintenance reports, spray records, diagrams, maps, manuals, reference materials, and other documents; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems; communicates via telephone and/or two-way radio; provides information and assistance; takes and relays messages or directs calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls as necessary.

Additional Functions:

Operates equipment and trucks included at the lower level in this job family.

Provides coverage during special events/activities as needed; responds to emergency/disaster situations as needed; provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed; and performs other related duties as required.

Customer Service Under Pressure:

Mission-driven service mindset that prioritizes public needs, maintains professionalism with residents during stressful or time-sensitive operations, and delivers reliable support even in high-pressure field conditions.

Operational Planning and Execution:

Structured operational coordination built from military engineering missions, enabling precise planning, efficient sequencing of equipment tasks, and disciplined execution of county infrastructure or emergency-response projects.

Adaptability and Rapid Problem Solving:

Field-tested adaptability that allows quick adjustments to changing terrain, equipment issues, or evolving project requirements, ensuring continuous progress and minimal downtime.

Team Cohesion and Communication:

Clear, chain-of-command communication that strengthens coordination with diverse crews, supports unified teamwork, and reduces operational misunderstandings on busy or hazardous job sites.

Safety and Risk Awareness:

Rigorous hazard discipline grounded in military safety protocols, ensuring proactive identification of risks, strict adherence to procedures, and consistent protection of personnel, equipment, and the public.

Technical and Equipment Proficiency:

Advanced machinery mastery developed through operating and maintaining heavy equipment in demanding environments, supporting confident handling, troubleshooting, and upkeep of Fulton County’s machinery fleet.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization:

Requires the ability to determine, calculate, tabulate, or summarize data/information. Includes performing subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations.

Human Interaction:

Requires the ability to exchange information for the purpose of clarifying details within well established policies, procedures and standards.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization:

Requires the ability to overhaul, restore, renovate, construct, and/or rebuild equipment, machinery, or objects, requiring adherence to prescribed standards and specifications. Requires the ability to operate and control the actions of the same equipment, machinery, and/or objects.

Verbal Aptitude:

Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude:

Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. May include counting, recording of counts, and basic measuring.

Functional Reasoning:

Requires the ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form. Involves semi-routine standardized work with some latitude for independent judgment concerning choices of action.

Situational Reasoning:

Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties which are often characterized by frequent change.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, genetics,age, disability or sexual orientation.