Heavy Equipment Operator

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Johnston (IA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health, dental, vision

IPERS retirement

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Public Defense is hiring a Heavy Equipment Operator to support Camp Dodge operations. The role requires operating multiple heavy construction machines and performing earthwork, with safety and utility-location responsibilities.

Position includes CDL Class B with air brakes, eligibility to obtain military/government vehicle licenses, CPR within six months, and wildland firefighting certifications within a year, along with seasonal and maintenance duties.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time work operating two or more heavy construction equipment types.
• Completion of a two-year Operating Engineer apprenticeship or formal training may substitute experience.
• Candidates must possess a Commercial Driver’s License Class B and Air Brakes endorsement at hire.

Responsibilities

• Performs excavating, landscaping, grading and other preparatory earthwork.
• Perform finish grading, landscaping, and other final earthwork.
• Locate buried utilities with marked flags to ensure safe excavation.
• Perform routine maintenance on equipment.
• Seasonal duties supporting cantonment and training areas.
• Snow removal on streets, parking, sidewalks, and roads.
• Apply de-icer treatments to icy surfaces to ensure safety.
• Mow grass and trim trees using tractors and mowers.
• Trim and remove trees and shrubs as needed.
• Support a military training facility with various tasks.
• Serve on a hand crew, UTV/ATV operator, or engine crew performing prescribed fire fuels management duties.

Skills

CDL Class B with air brakes

CPR certification

Wildland firefighting certs

License eligibility for military/gover

Education

Two-year heavy equipment apprenticeship

Formal trade school on heavy equipment

Tools

Heavy bulldozers

Power shovels

Draglines

G graders

Steamrollers

Overhead cranes

Payloaders

Heavy diesel tractors

Job description

What We Are Seeking

Do you love working outdoors and in all kinds of weather?

Job Description

The Iowa Department of Public Defense has the perfect job for you as we are hiring a Heavy Equipment Operator position to assist the State at Camp Dodge!

An Iowa Class B driver’s license with air brake and tanker endorsement is required, in addition to the ability to obtain a military / government vehicle operator's license within 30 days of employment. Within six months of employment, employee must attain and maintain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Within one year of employment, must attend and complete required wildland firefighting certifications.

Who We Are

Our Agency directly supports the Iowa National Guard sustainment, readiness and modernization, providing support so they are able to fulfill their missions in Iowa’s communities or their work for the State during emergencies or times of need. We are made strong by a highly qualified, diverse and talented staff. Working at the Iowa Department of Public Defense will provide you the opportunity for a robust career!

What You’ll Do

• Performs excavating, landscaping, grading and other preparatory earthwork
• Perform finish grading, landscaping, and other final earthwork.
• Confirm with maps, tradesmen, and supervisors the location of buried utilities marked by utility locator flags to ensure safe excavation areas.
• Perform routine maintenance functions on equipment.
• Perform seasonal duties that support the operations and appearance of the cantonment and training areas.
• Perform snow removal task from streets, parking lots, sidewalks, training area roads, building entries, stairways, and other areas as needed.
• Apply treatment to road surfaces, sidewalks and parking lot areas that are prone to be icy after snow fall to ensure safety.
• Perform mowing duties by operating various tractors and mowers to cut grass, weeds, and small trees in the cantonment area and in the field training area.
• Perform various tree and shrub trimming and tree removal duties.
• Perform variety of tasks involved in maintaining and supporting a military training facility.
• Serve on a hand crew, UTV/ATV operator, or engine crew performing prescribed fire fuels management duties as assigned.

Work Hours

7:00 AM - 3:30 PM Monday – Friday, hours may vary with work assignments/and some weekend assignments to provide additional base support.

Benefits

At the State of Iowa, we are committed to your well-being. As a valued team member, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Options.
• Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).
• Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.
• Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.

To learn more about the benefits of working with the State of Iowa, visit our benefits webpage.

Why Choose Us?

Choose us for our strong team culture, positive work environment and opportunities for professional growth and development. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. An individual shall not be denied equal access to state employment opportunities because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or physical or mental disability. The State of Iowa is an E-Verify employer. A complete package combining benefits, career and personal development is available here for you.

Dive into our recruitment page to explore what sets us apart and come be a part of our team!

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov .

Minimum Qualification Requirements

The equivalent of two years of full-time employment involving the operation of two or more of the following types of equipment: heavy bulldozers, power shovels, draglines, heavy motor patrol graders, steamrollers, overhead cranes, payloaders, heavy diesel tractors and related heavy construction equipment exceeding four tons;

OR

satisfactory completion of a formal two-year apprenticeship as an Operating Engineer (Heavy Equipment);

OR

substitution of satisfactory completion of specialized training in operating heavy construction equipment at a recognized training or trade school on a month-for-month basis for the experience requirement to a maximum of twelve months;

OR

for designated positions, experience operating specific kinds of heavy construction equipment may be required and applicants will only be certified to the appointing authority who have demonstrated that they have the required specialized experience.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Qualification Requirements

All positions in this job class require applicants to possess a Commercial Driver's License Class B and an Air Brakes Unrestricted Endorsement at the time of hire.