Heavy Equipment Operator or Trainee / Bridge Crew

Pinal County; Casa Grande (AZ); On-site; USD 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinal County is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee for the Public Works Department. Starting at $41,179 annually, this entry-level role trains on operating trucks and motorized equipment under supervision, with potential to advance to the Heavy Equipment Operator series upon certification.

Responsibilities include maintaining roads and drainage, performing routine maintenance, keeping logs, and following safety rules. Valid AZ driver’s license required; CDL within 5 months.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent.
• Must obtain Class A CDL within the first 5 months with tanker endorsements.
• Valid Arizona driver’s license within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Operate equipment to maintain roads and drainage.
• Perform routine maintenance on trucks and equipment.
• Maintain required logs and reports.
• Follow safety rules and procedures.
• Cross-train in PWD methods and safety procedures.

Skills

Roadway maintenance knowledge

Safety rules adherence

Follow directions

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CDL Class A

Job description

Benefits

• An Employer that Values Each Employee and Prioritizes a Work Experience that Provides Ample Time for Stress Reduction and Work-Life Balance.
• Paid Vacation And Sick Leave
  • 15 Vacation Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One
  • After Three (3) Years of Service, 18 Vacation Days Accrued Annually
  • After Five (5) Years of Service, 20 Vacation Days Accrued Annually
  • 13 Sick Leave Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One
• Ten Paid Holidays+ One Paid Floating Holiday to Use as You Wish
• Paid Sabbaticals Every Five (5) Years
  • Two-Week Sabbatical After Five Years of Continuous Service
  • Three-Week Sabbatical After Ten Years of Continuous Service
  • Four-Week Sabbatical After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
  • Four-Week Sabbaticals Every Five Years After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
• Retirement Plans with Generous Employer Contributions - Guaranteed Lifetime Benefit!
• Variety of Top Tier Affordable Medical Plans - Six Different Medical Plans to Choose From
  • Some Medical Plans with Zero Employee Premium Cost
• Dental and Vision Plans
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
  • Quarterly Wellness Challenges
  • Vision Exams and Optometry Events Onsite
  • Vaccination Clinics
  • Onsite Mammogram and Prostate Screening Events
  • Skin Cancer Screening Events Onsite
  • Biometrics and Health Screening Events Onsite
  • Financial Health and Retirement Planning Events Onsite & Online
  • Fitness Resources and Onsite Sessions Like Yoga and Tai Chi
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Telehealth
• Qualified Employer - Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program - Department of Education
• Employee Assistance Program with Ongoing Training & Development Options
• Civil Service Leave
• Van Pool Options
• Short-Term Disability –Employer Paid
• Basic Life Insurance - Employer Paid
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Dependent Care and Medical Expenses
• Suite of Voluntary Benefits including additional Life, Accident, Critical Illness & Cancer Insurance

Working at Pinal County is an investment in YOU.

Working at Pinal County is an investment in YOU.

This position will be located at the Public Works Yard

JOB SUMMARY - HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINEE

PAY GRADE 07

STARTING SALARY: $41,179.00

Perform entry-level work in the operation of specialized trucks and motorized equipment used for a variety of job functions in the Public Works Department (PWD) and operate tools and equipment in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures under close supervision. This is a trainee position that can transfer into our Heavy Equipment Operator Series. Non-Competitive appointment into the Heavy Equipment Operator is contingent on successful completion of the certifications and training specified in this classification.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINEE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate a variety of specialized equipment to maintain Pinal County roads, roadways, drainage systems and infrastructure, in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures.
• Operate PWD vehicles and motorized equipment, including light trucks, water trucks, mowers, loaders, and back hoes.
• Perform manual labor tasks, repair pot holes, clear debris from culverts and roadway, and move and set barricades.
• Work on assigned projects and make appropriate decisions based on work experience.
• Maintain required daily logs, reports, and maintenance records.
• Clean and perform routine maintenance work on trucks and equipment, identify and report mechanical problems requiring additional repair, and notify supervisors of repair problems beyond the scope of authority.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations, utilize proper safety precautions in all work performed, and report safety hazards, equipment problems, and emergency situations.
• Perform tasks in the interest of public safety during emergencies, perform traffic control activities as needed, report safety hazards and traffic problems, and cross-train in PWD work methods and safety procedures.
• Clean up spills and unsafe conditions in a timely manner and according to procedures.
• Closely follow written and verbal instructions.
• To promote and adhere to the workplace values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork to help enrich lives beyond expectation.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate a variety of specialized and heavy equipment to maintain Pinal County roads, roadways, drainage systems and infrastructure in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures.
• Work independently to operate PWD vehicles and motorized equipment, including light trucks, water trucks, mowers, loaders, back hoe, grader, dozer, end dump, and belly dump, for its intended purpose.
• Repair roads, spread asphalt, seal cracks, and repair holes, maintain roads and infrastructure; haul materials, transport vehicles and equipment to job sites, grade, water, and roll unpaved roads, sweep and clean roads, and maintain bridges, drains, and culverts.
• Control ongoing work projects to assure that safety rules and regulations are followed.
• Maintain roads and infrastructure as directed, haul materials, and transport vehicles and equipment to job sites, grade, water, and roll unpaved roads, sweep and clean roads, and maintain bridges, drains, and culverts.
• Perform manual labor tasks, repair pot holes, clear debris from culverts and roadway, and move and set barricades.
• Work on assigned projects and make appropriate decisions based on work experience.
• Clean and perform routine maintenance work on trucks and equipment, identify and report mechanical problems requiring additional repair, and notify supervisors of repair problems beyond the scope of authority.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations and utilize proper safety precautions in all work performed and report safety hazards, equipment problems, and emergency situations.
• Perform tasks in the interest of public safety during emergencies, perform traffic control activities as needed, report safety hazards and traffic problems, and cross-train in PWD work methods and safety procedures.
• Clean up spills and unsafe conditions in a timely manner and according to procedures.
• Closely follow written and verbal instructions.
• To promote and adhere to the workplace values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork to help enrich lives beyond expectation.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINEE QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Or an equivalent combination of training, education, or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Valid Arizona Driver’s License required within 30 days of hire.
• Must obtain Class A Arizona State Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) “standard transmission” with tanker endorsements within the first 5 months of employment; failure to maintain the required CDL may be grounds for termination.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINEE PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) year of construction, maintenance, or related equipment experience.
• CPR/First Aid Certified
• Valid CDL Permit

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINEE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Trainees must obtain a Class A CDL Learner’s Permit within the first 90 days of employment to remain on track to obtain Class A CDLs “standard transmission with tanker endorsements within the first 5 months of employment.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR QUALIFICATIONS

• Three (3) years of experience in construction, maintenance, and related equipment OR one (1) year of experience as a Pinal County Operator (Trainee).
• Must obtain Class A Arizona State Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) “standard transmission” with tanker endorsements within the first 5 months of employment; failure to maintain the required CDL may be grounds for termination.
• Or an equivalent combination of training, education, or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification. First Aid / CPR / AED training upon hire.
• Basic Work Zone & Traffic Control (Flagger Certification) upon hire.
• May be required to work evenings, nights, and weekends.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Trainees who are rehires of less than one year of separation will automatically be placed into the Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee classification until the 6‑month requirement is met.
• Rehires will be placed in the appropriate position on a case‑by‑case basis.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINEE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of materials and methods used in roadway maintenance.
• Knowledge of Federal and state safety rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions, including proper use and storage of chemicals, and OSHA Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazardous chemicals used in the workplace.
• Skill in operating and maintaining tools and equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Ability to follow directions and maintain safety standards.
• Knowledge of personal computers utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Ability to work with others to complete daily tasks.
• Knowledge of materials, methods, tools, equipment, and supplies used in roadway maintenance.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of materials, methods, tools, equipment, and supplies used in roadway maintenance.
• Knowledge of Federal and state safety rules and regulations, including Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), and AZ‑DOT standards, protocols, specifications, and guidelines for public works construction and safety standards in hazardous traffic environments.
• Knowledge of county geography, traffic patterns, streets, landmarks, and PWD facility locations. Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions, including proper use and storage of chemicals, and OSHA Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazardous chemicals used in the workplace.
• Knowledge of personal computers utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Skill in performing a full range of skilled and semi‑skilled PWD maintenance work.
• Ability to promote and enforce safe work practices.
• Ability to operate and maintain tools and equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Ability to work with others to complete daily tasks.
• Ability to communicate with residents concerning project completion and access to properties.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is very heavy work and requires exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The work also requires the ability to balance, climb, crawl, crouch, finger, feel, grasp, handle, reach, kneel, lift, pull, push, perform repetitive motion, walk, operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment, hear, speak, stand, stoop, walk, and demonstrate mental and visual acuity. May be required to be on‑call.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed outside in an environment with varying weather temperatures.

The hiring salary for this position is dependent upon experience, qualifications and position funding; starting salaries above the first quartile require additional approval.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We appreciate your interest in our employment opportunities. At Pinal County, we value professionalism and respect for others. If these values are not demonstrated throughout the application and interview process, we reserve the right to remove your candidacy from consideration, which may impact your future Pinal County applications.

Offers of employment are valid only if provided in writing and approved by Pinal County Human Resources. All qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States are welcome to apply.

However, visa sponsorship is not available.

Pinal County does not participate in STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT).

Pinal County requires pre‑employment screening, which includes a Motor Vehicle Record check, a comprehensive background check (encompassing employment, education, and criminal history), and drug testing for safety‑sensitive roles. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify candidates from employment. Employment offers are contingent on successful pre‑employment screening. If driving is a requirement of the position, you must have a valid Arizona State Driver's License in accordance with Arizona State Law.

Work in this classification requires an individual to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this description.