Heavy Equipment Operator

Missouri Department of Conservation; Jefferson City (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Missouri Department of Conservation seeks a skilled heavy equipment operator to support construction and maintenance projects. You will operate dozers, backhoes, graders, excavators, and related gear on diverse worksites.

Responsibilities include reading and staking layouts, performing preventive maintenance, ordering supplies, and submitting monthly reports. Must be able to travel and stay overnight as needed. Valid CDL required; high school diploma or equivalent.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED/HiSET required.
• 3+ years of heavy equipment operating experience.
• Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) required.
• Ability to travel and stay overnight for multiple days.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment on construction and maintenance projects.
• Read construction drawings, survey job sites, and lay out grade stakes.
• Repair and maintain equipment; order supplies as needed.
• Complete monthly reports, time sheets, invoices, and vehicle reports.
• Work independently on a job site with limited supervision.
• Travel and stay overnight as required.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Read construction drawings

Site safety awareness

Independent work

Team coordination

Education

High school diploma or GED/HiSET

3 years heavy equipment operator experience

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Closing Date: October 20, 2026

Interview Date: TBD

Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.

Summary/Objective

Operate all types of heavy equipment on various construction / maintenance projects.

• Transport and operate heavy equipment of all types and sizes, including dozers, backhoes, motor graders, excavators, scrapers, large farm tractors, skid steers, track loaders, dump trucks, road tractors, and moving equipment.
• Read construction drawings, survey job sites, check for hazards, and layout grade stakes.
• Repair and maintain equipment, as needed.
• Order supplies and materials, as needed.
• Complete monthly reports, time sheets, invoices, vehicle reports, as required.

Ancillary Job Duties

• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED/HiSET required.
• Three (3) years of experience as a heavy equipment operator.
• Must maintain a valid, current Commercial Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to operate tools and equipment for building and land management.
• Ability to read and understand construction plans.
• Ability to work independently on a job site with little direct supervision.
• Ability to make independent decisions and act quickly and decisively on the determined course of action.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with Department personnel, the general public and Department employees.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work varying shifts and hours, as needed.
• Ability to travel and stay overnight for multiple days.
• Frequently work in outdoor weather which may be hot, cold, wet or humid.
• Frequently exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.

Physical Abilities

• Frequently move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
• Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
• Clarity of vision and three-dimensional vision.
• Regularly lift up to 50 pounds, correctly lift up to 100 pounds.
• Concentrated attention is required at all times.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.

Exemption Status/Special Notes

This position has been determined to be Nonexemptaccording to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.

Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.

• MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.

The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.

Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.

All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.