Heavy Equipment Operator (0131)

Southwest Florida Water Management District; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

FRS retirement contributions

Paid holidays and leave

Parental leave

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking skilled Heavy Equipment Operators to support field maintenance and stewardship of conservation lands in the Tampa area. The role involves operating tractors, bulldozers, and related machinery to care for canals, roads, and restoration sites.

Positions offer a structured schedule, competitive starting pay, and opportunities for advancement through additional certifications.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; CDL within 1 year of hire; NFES burn certificates IS-100/200/700 and L-180 within one year.
• Three (3) years related work experience for Heavy Equipment Operator roles; Four (4) years for Staff Heavy Equipment Operator; Six (6) years for Senior Heavy Equipment Operator.

Responsibilities

• Mows and maintains canals and waterways using tractors and heavy equipment.
• Maintain fence lines, gates, culverts, and riprap embankments.
• Operate various heavy equipment and transport materials to job sites.
• Participate in prescribed burning and wildfire suppression activities as needed.
• Respond to emergencies and assist with incident response as required.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Maintenance & repairs

Emergency response

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement

NFES S130/190 and L-180 burn certificate

Tools

CDL Class A

Front end loaders

Bulldozers

Job description

Work for Our Water Resources

Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).

The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Join our Operations Bureau

This position offers a unique opportunity to support our Field Operations Section through essential maintenance and stewardship of District lands. In this role, you will contribute to the care of recreation sites, well sites, fences, buildings, and other key assets while helping ensure the long‑term functionality and resilience of our natural systems.

A key responsibility of this position is coordinating and performing maintenance activities for the Four River Basins projects, including the Tampa Bypass Canal and Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal. The role also provides maintenance and construction support for conservation lands in the South Region, including small‑scale FDOT mitigation sites, upland and wetland restoration efforts, and Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) restoration projects.

This role provides meaningful impact, professional growth, and the opportunity to help preserve Florida’s vital natural resources while enjoying flexibility and true work‑life balance.

District employees are offered an excellent total rewards package that includes

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) District Total Contribution 14.03%
• 9 paid holidays (+ 1 floating holiday)
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Paid Parental Leave, including Maternity, Bonding and Family Supportive Work Program
• Medical and dental insurance (91- 97% District paid)
• Vision insurance
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance
• Long‑term disability (District Paid)
• Prescription drug coverage & mail order program
• Health savings & flexible spending accounts
• Flexible schedule for work‑life balance
• Legal and Identity Theft protection
• Wellness program
• Public service loan forgiveness qualified employer
• Tuition reimbursement ($5,250/year)
• State adoption benefit qualified employer
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Transfer in years of service for other public sector work - towards the FRS program and sick time

Starting Compensation

• Maintenance and Trades Technician 3: $17.19 - $21.91
• Maintenance and Trades Technician 4: $18.31 - $23.51
• Maintenance and Trades Technician 5: $19.50 - $24.86

The starting salary ranges are included for the Maintenance and Trades Technician profile which reflects the minimum to approximately 50% of the respective pay grades.

The starting salary will be based on the education and experience of the successful candidate. The District conducts annual performance evaluations that may award applicable pay increases based on positive employee performance.

Essential Functions

• Mows and performs general maintenance of canals and waterways utilizing tractors, batwing mowers, front end loaders, bulldozers, and other types of heavy equipment.
• Mows and trims around fence lines, gates, and culverts utilizing zero turn mowers, line trimmers, equipment trailers and pickup trucks.
• Sprays herbicide to maintain fence lines, gates, riprap embankments, and culverts.
• Operates chainsaws and other handheld equipment as required.
• Picks up and disposes of trash and debris.
• Operates tractor-trailers, dump trucks, heavy duty trucks, and trailers to transport heavy equipment, rock, dirt and construction materials to job sites.
• Maintains District conservation lands utilizing harrow discs, bush hog mowers, bulldozers, and other heavy equipment to maintain roads, firebreaks, creeks, and natural systems.
• Participates in prescribed burning and wildfire suppression activities. Performs routine maintenance and makes minor repairs to the equipment operated.
• Operates, maintains and transports heavy equipment; oversees and executes projects on District lands.
• Completes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers canal inspections and maintenance, road grading, culvert installation and low water crossings.
• Operates forestry equipment for various tasks including prescribed burning, disking and chopping underbrush.
• Participates in all aspects of the District's emergency operations during storm events, wildfires and other declared emergencies.
• Operates loaders, dozers, excavators, tractors, transports, graders, skidders, boom mower, dump trucks, light and heavy vehicles, back-hoe, skid steer, gooseneck trailers, and chainsaws.
• Enters data for timecards, work orders, vehicle/fuel logs, reports, e-mails, and District Cyber training classes.
• Respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring response in support of District designated events.

Working Conditions

Physical, Visual Acuity Requirements: Heavy Work, Vehicle, Climbing, Balancing, Stooping, Kneeling, Crouching, Crawling, Reaching, Standing, Pushing, Pulling, Lifting, Typing, Grasping, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, Repetitive Motion.

Working Environmental Conditions: Outside, Heat, Noise, Vibration, Hazards, Atmosphere, Hiking, Bites, Remote, Weather, Driving, Equipment, Power Tools, Wading, Boating, Fires, Feral, Aboveground.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee may be subject to call‑in outside of regularly scheduled work hours, or required to be on call, including on nights, weekends or holidays, to respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring rapid response in support of District operations.

Required Credentials For Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Three (3) years related work experience
• Obtainment of a Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement within 1 (one) year of hire
• Valid IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and NFES S130/190 and L-180 burn certificate within one year

Staff Heavy Equipment Operator

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Four (4) years related work experience
• Valid Class A CDL
• CDL Tanker Endorsement within 6 (six) months
• Valid IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and NFES S130/190 and L-180 burn certificate within one year

Senior Heavy Equipment Operator

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Six (6) years related work experience
• Valid Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement
• Valid IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, NFES S130/190 and L-180, and Basic Fire Control Training Certificate or equivalent (Must obtain within 6 months of hire)
• Preferred Southern Area Engine Academy

Application Process

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, the District employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the required District application for the purpose of qualification. Applicants who are within 30 days of graduation, if selected are not allowed to start until all minimum qualifications are met.

Additional Details

This position is typically scheduled to work 40 hours per week out of the Tampa, FL Office. Occasional overtime and overnight travel is required. Employee may be required to work on nonscheduled workdays including weekends, and holidays, during declared emergencies or when the workload is such that it is required. This position is eligible for overtime for hours worked over 40 hours, in a week.

The Heavy Equipment Operator is a safety sensitive position. As such, the employee will be subject to pre‑employment and random drug testing.

Travel Required

Yes. Extensive travel, using a District vehicle, within District's coverage area.

Accepting applications until November 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM

About Us

Managing the water resources for west-central Florida, our district includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 5 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood‑protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water‑related functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses.

All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to (352) 796‑7211 or 1-800‑423‑1476 (FL only), ext. 4747; or email [e-mail]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800‑955‑8771 (TDD) or 1-800‑955‑8770 (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA.

The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I‑9 to confirm work authorization.

The District will not sponsor applicants for work visas.