Heavy Equipment Operator

City of Vallejo; Vallejo (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Vallejo's Water Department is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator to join the Distribution Division. You will operate heavy construction equipment to support water system maintenance, excavation, grading, and related tasks, ensuring safe and efficient operations.

Ideal candidates have three years of increasingly responsible experience with construction equipment and hold a valid California Class A driver's license, with a commitment to safety and reliable public service.

Qualifications

• Three years of progressively responsible experience operating heavy construction equipment.
• Valid California Class A driver's license.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor in all weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Operate backhoes, graders, dump trucks, and other heavy equipment for street and water system maintenance.
• Grade and crown streets, excavate water lines, and backfill.
• Perform preventive maintenance and conduct safety inspections.
• Respond to emergencies and coordinate with City staff.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety compliance

Mechanical proficiency

Reading maps/blueprints

Job description

Description

PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN IN ITS ENTIRETY

THE POSITION

The City of Vallejo is seeking qualified candidates for the role of Heavy Equipment Operator as collaborative members of the City's Water Department - Distribution Division. The Heavy Equipment Operator is responsible for operating the most difficult and complex heavy construction and maintenance equipment in a variety of maintenance activities, including excavating, grading, loading and related operations; and perform semi-skilled and skilled maintenance tasks.

Why Join the City of Vallejo - Water Department?

At the City of Vallejo's Water Department, we're committed to delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality drinking water to our community. Our team is comprised of skilled professionals who take pride in their work and are driven by integrity, innovation, and service. Joining our department means being part of a collaborative, mission-driven organization where your technical expertise, leadership, and ideas will help shape the future of Water Distribution in Vallejo.

We offer a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional training, career advancement, and direct impact on vital public infrastructure. This is more than a job, it's a chance to grow your career while serving the community of Vallejo in a meaningful way.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for Heavy Equipment Operator will have three years of increasingly responsible experience in schematics maintenance work, involving the operation of construction equipment. In addition, they will possess their class A's driver's license.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Vallejo Water Department is a dynamic organization engaged in growth and positive change for the benefit of our customers and community. The Department provides potable water to 121,000 customers through a highly complex system including multiple raw water sources, three treatment plants, a Sludge Dewatering Facility, 600 miles of distribution pipes, 8 pressure zones, 27 pump stations, and 37,000 service connections. Vallejo Water is a Treatment-5/Distribution-5 system. The Water Department operates independently of Public Works and reports directly to the City Manager, giving the team increased autonomy and visibility to address critical water issues. This change gives drinking water-related operations and issues greater visibility and strategic direction for the benefit of ratepayers. The Water Department's strategic goals include: infrastructure reliability, public trust, sustainability, organizational performance, and financial viability. The Water Department has six Divisions: Water Treatment, Engineering, Distribution, Watershed and Facilities Management, and Administration/Conservation.

THE CITY OF VALLEJO

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo's delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer's market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America's only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is an advanced journey classification. Employees within this class are distinguished from Public Works Supervisors in that the latter is the first-line supervisor classification responsible for the supervision, assignment and review of public works maintenance, repair and construction services for an assigned section.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from supervisory and management staff.

May exercise functional and technical supervision over lower-level maintenance staff.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operate heavy construction equipment such as backhoes, rollers, motor graders, boom trucks, dump trucks, 10- and 18-wheeler trucks, front end loaders, cement truck, trencher, bulldozer, and forklift for a variety of maintenance and construction operations involving streets, and water systems.
• Grade and crown City streets, roads and alleys using motor grader; roll asphalt.
• Excavate water lines; backfill jobs upon completion.
• Clean debris from ditches, culverts and creek beds; bulldoze hill sides and fire trails as required.
• Perform additional construction and maintenance tasks such as concrete work, truck driving, asphalt spreading, and a variety of minor repair activities.
• Identify equipment needs for each assigned project; pick up and deliver heavy equipment from construction sites.
• Estimate time, materials and equipment required for jobs assigned, requisition materials as required.
• Ensure the adherence to safe work policies and procedures.
• Perform preventive maintenance on heavy and light equipment as required.
• May provide lead supervision to a small crew of lower level maintenance staff.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Operation and maintenance requirements of heavy power driven equipment.
• Practices, methods, and materials used in general construction and maintenance work.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of work assigned.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Traffic laws, ordinances, and rules involved in heavy equipment operations.
• Safe work practices.

Ability to:

• Operate a variety of complex heavy power driven equipment such as backhoes, motor graders, and boom trucks.
• Perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled construction and maintenance tasks.
• Use and operate hand tools, power tools, and mechanical equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Read and interpret maps, sketches, drawings, specifications and technical manuals.
• Perform a variety of manual tasks for extended periods of time and in unfavorable weather conditions.
• Apply good judgment and practical knowledge to resolve unusual or irregular problems in the area of work assigned.
• Perform duties in a manner to maximize public safety in the area of work assigned.
• Respond to the Corporation Yard for emergency call out.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible experience in schematics maintenance work involving the operation of construction equipment.

Training:

Formal or informal education or training which ensures the ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance supplemented by specialized training in construction technology.

License or Certificate

Possession of a valid California Class A driver's license or the ability to obtain a Class A Driver's License prior to the completion of the probationary period. The Class A Driver's License is to be maintained throughout employment with the City of Vallejo.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Working Conditions

Construction site environment; loud machine noise; some lifting; work in inclement weather conditions.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The City of Vallejo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, assessment or selection process may contact the Human Resources Department to request an accommodation. Please contact Anabela Rivera at [phone] or send an email to: [e-mail] no later than September 28, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

PRIOR TO HIRE

The selected candidate will be required to:

• Submit to reference checks
• Submit to and successfully pass a pre-employment background check, including fingerprint check.
• Successfully complete a job-related pre-placement medical exam.
• Provide proof of legal right to work in the United States.

Disaster Service Workers

All City of Vallejo ("City") employees are designated Disaster Service Workers ("DSW") by state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all DSW-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Veteran's Preference

Veteran's preference points will be applied in accordance with Civil Service Rule 24. A copy of the DD 214 form must be filed at the time of application.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

The City of Vallejo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Vallejo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Note: The provisions in this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.