HEAVY MOTOR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I (URI)

The University of Rhode Island; Kingston (RI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI is hiring a Heavy Motor Equipment Operator I. You will operate and maintain heavy construction equipment and support campus maintenance and landscaping projects across URI properties.

Requirements include a CDL Class A or B, plus Excavating and Hoisting Licenses. Work hours are Monday–Friday, 6:00 AM–2:30 PM, with occasional repairs and emergency tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of experience operating heavy diesel and gasoline motor equipment (over 26,000 lbs GVW with airbrakes and manual transmissions).
• Valid CDL Class A or B required and must be maintained.
• Valid Excavating Equipment License required.
• Valid Hoisting License required.
• Physician’s certificate indicating physical qualification.

Responsibilities

• Operate, adjust, service, and maintain a variety of heavy construction and maintenance equipment.
• Operate mowers/tractors with cutters to control vegetation on URI properties.
• Assist in drainage and utility installations, landscape construction, and related upgrades and repairs.
• Perform routine and non-routine maintenance on URI waterways and related equipment.
• Support in traffic control and flagging in work zones as needed.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety compliance

Vehicle inspection

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

80 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

At the time of appointment and continually thereafter as a condition of continued employment, must: 1. Possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A or B.
2. Possess and maintain a valid Excavating Equipment License.
3. Possess and maintain a valid Hoisting License.
4. Maintain compliance with the USDOT Federal Regulations of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991.
5. Be physically qualified to perform assigned duties as evidenced by a physician’s certificate.

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number CS02336

Job Title

Job Title HEAVY MOTOR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I (URI)

Position Number

Position Number 4996

FTE

FTE 1.00

FLSA

Pay Rate

Salary Range

Salary Range $54,686 - $61,176

Pay Grade Level

Pay Grade Level Grade 20A

Position Type

Position Type Professional Staff

Union

Union C94/L528 - Council 94/Local 528 (Serv/Maint)

Status

Status Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent

Restriction or Limitation Reason

End Date of Restriction or Limitation

Department Information

Department

Department Recycling

Contact(s)

Sean Nelson
Talent Acquisition, Human Resources

Contact Phone/Extension

Contact Phone/Extension 401-874-5269

Contact Email

Contact Email [e-mail]

Physical Demands

Campus Location

Campus Location Kingston

Building(s)

Grant Funded

Duties and Responsibilities

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES :

Within the University of Rhode Island ( URI ), to operate, adjust, service and maintain a variety of heavy construction and maintenance equipment, occasionally make emergency minor repairs to equipment, and report necessary repairs; to operate mowers or tractors with attached rotary, gang, sickle or other type cutters to control vegetation in ditches, medians athletic fields, campus landscapes, farms and other areas on property owned by URI ; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED : Receives specific instructions from a superior who assigns duties and indicates work methods and schedules.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED : Usually none, although occasionally may direct the work of one or more manual laborers.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED : Within the University of Rhode Island ( URI ), to operate, adjust, service and maintain a variety of heavy construction and maintenance equipment, occasionally make emergency minor repairs to equipment, and report necessary repairs; to operate mowers or tractors with attached rotary, gang, sickle or other type cutters to control vegetation in ditches, medians athletic fields, campus landscapes, farms and other areas on property owned by URI ; and to do related work as required.

To operate mowers or tractors with attached rotary, gang, sickle or other type cutters to control vegetation in ditches, medians athletic fields, campus landscapes, farms and other areas on property owned by URI .

To operate power sweeper for cleaning sidewalks, roadways and parking areas.

As required, to operate pneumatic and hydraulic powered tools in the performance of maintenance work. To load road salt necessary for the removal of snow and ice and spread abrasive and de-icing chemicals on roads, parking lots and walkway surfaces.

As required, to load and unload materials such as construction materials, parts, supplies, abrasives and deicing chemicals. To mount and dismount special equipment such as plow gear, sanders other attachments as needed. To assist in various drainage and utility installations, landscape construction, professional tree work, the installation and removal of fencing and signage, dumpster maintenance, and other upgrades and repairs on URI property as directed by a supervisor.

To perform the functions of this classification in a variety of environmental and weather conditions.

To remove, dispose or bury dead animals from the campus property and bury dead farms animals at the universities maintained land, in accordance with standard health and safety practices.

As required, to operate various types of motor equipment such as trucks, compressors, and other construction-related equipment. To perform varied physical laboring tasks as required such as to shovel, rake, sweep and/or dig as directed by a supervisor.

As required, to operate brooms, shovels, and tampers to clean, fill, and compact material in road surfaces.

As required, to assist with routine and non-routine maintenance to all URI waterways.

As required, to assist in traffic control and flagging oncoming traffic to warn of work zone hazards and construction in progress.

As assigned, may assist with preventive building and facility maintenance work using appropriate tools of the skilled trades. To perform related work as required.

Required Qualifications

A minimum of one (1) year of employment as an operator of heavy diesel and gasoline motor equipment, trucks or other heavy equipment (in excess of 26,000 lbs. GVW with airbrakes and manual transmissions). SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : At the time of appointment and continually thereafter as a condition of continued employment, must: 1. Possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License ( CDL ) Class A or B. 2. Possess and maintain a valid Excavating Equipment License. 3. Possess and maintain a valid Hoisting License. 4. Maintain compliance with the USDOT Federal Regulations of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991. 5. Be physically qualified to perform assigned duties as evidenced by a physician’s certificate.

Preferred Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE , SKILLS AND CAPACITIES :

A thorough knowledge of the state laws pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles; skill in the operation and routine maintenance of all types of heavy motorized equipment; a familiarity with general construction and maintenance methods; the ability to make emergency minor repairs to heavy construction motor equipment; knowledge of the proper use of protective personal equipment such as respirators, safety goggles, reflective safety vest or jacket, etc.; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

Possession of a High School Diploma or GED including affiliated certificates, or graduation from a vocational program; and Experience:

A minimum of one (1) year of employment as an operator of heavy diesel and gasoline motor equipment, trucks or other heavy equipment (in excess of 26,000 lbs. GVW with airbrakes and manual transmissions).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : At the time of appointment and continually thereafter as a condition of continued employment, must:

1. Possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License ( CDL ) Class A or B. 2. Possess and maintain a valid Excavating Equipment License. 3. Possess and maintain a valid Hoisting License. 4. Maintain compliance with the USDOT Federal Regulations of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991. 5. Be physically qualified to perform assigned duties as evidenced by a physician’s certificate.

Environmental Conditions

Environmental Conditions

Work Hours

Work Hours

Monday – Friday 6AM – 2:30PM

Posting Date

Posting Date

Posting Date 11/05/2026

Closing Date

Closing Date

Closing Date 11/14/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

At the time of appointment and continually thereafter as a condition of continued employment, must: 1. Possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License ( CDL ) Class A or B.
2. Possess and maintain a valid Excavating Equipment License.
3. Possess and maintain a valid Hoisting License.
4. Maintain compliance with the USDOT Federal Regulations of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991.
5. Be physically qualified to perform assigned duties as evidenced by a physician’s certificate.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

(Open Ended Question)

• Are you currently a State employee who is a member of Council 94/AFSCME?
  • Yes
  • No