Light Automotive Equipment Operator (2 Positions)

California State University, East Bay; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement (CalPERS)

401k

457

403(b)

Dependent care accounts

Life insurance

Vacation and sick leave

14 paid holidays

Personal holiday

Tuition fee waiver

Job summary

The Light Automotive Equipment Operator positions at Cal State East Bay involve skilled operation of light automotive vehicles and campus grounds maintenance equipment to support groundskeeping and maintenance tasks. The role requires routine servicing, safety inspections, and adherence to California Vehicle Code standards.

Responsibilities include mowing, trimming, edging, planting, watering, debris removal, and assisting with seasonal beautification projects.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to one year of paid or regularly assigned driving experience.
• Knowledge of California Vehicle Code related to vehicle operation.
• Ability to read and follow written instructions.
• Ability to work safely and independently in outdoor tasks.

Responsibilities

• Operate light automotive vehicles and grounds maintenance equipment.
• Perform routine servicing and basic maintenance, safety inspections and fluid checks.
• Perform mowing, trimming, edging, planting and debris removal as needed.
• Report equipment issues and coordinate repairs with supervision.

Skills

Safe operation of light automotive

Grounds maintenance

Job description

Light Automotive Equipment Operator (2 Positions)

Job no: 556377
Work type: Staff
Location: East Bay
Categories: Unit 5 - CSUEU - Operations and Support Services, Custodial/Facilities, Probationary, Full Time

PLEASE NOTE: The starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $3,596.00 per month to $4,384.00 permonth (Step 1 - Step 11).

Cal State East Bay offers a broad range of benefits that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement (CalPERS), 401k, 457, 403(b), dependent and health care reimbursement accounts, life insurance, vacation and sick, 14 paid holidays, one personal holiday and tuition fee waiver.
For more information on the benefits program, please visit our benefits website. The CSU Total Compensation Calculator demonstrates the significance of our benefits package.

Cal State East Bay's beautiful main campus is located in the Hayward hills with panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Situated above the city of Hayward, the campus offers an ideal setting for teaching and learning and yet easy access to the many cities along the bay. The University has a satellite campus in Concord, a professional development center in Oakland and a significant presence online. Founded in 1957, Cal State East Bay is one of 23 universities of the California State University system (CSU). Cal State East Bay is recognized as a regionally engaged and globally oriented university with a strong commitment to academic innovation, student success, engaged and service learning, diversity, and sustainability.

About the Position

Please Note: Review of applications will begin onApril 20, 2026.

The Light Automotive Equipment Operator primarily performs skilled operation of light automotive vehicles and equipment in support of campus grounds and maintenance operations. The incumbent operates equipment and vehicles typical of this classification, including light-duty (two-axle) trucks, riding mowers, small wheel-type tractors with attachments, sweepers, utility vehicles, and small loaders within standard capacity limits.

The position’s primary function is the safe and efficient operation of light automotive and grounds maintenance equipment, with responsibility for performing routine servicing and minor maintenance such as safety inspections, fluid checks, and basic adjustments to ensure proper working conditions. The incumbent reports equipment malfunctions and coordinates needed repairs.

In support of equipment operation, the incumbent performs a range of grounds maintenance tasks, including mowing, trimming, edging, planting, watering, and debris removal, as well as assisting with campus beautification and seasonal projects. Manual labor duties are performed in connection with equipment use, including loading and unloading materials.

Work is performed in accordance with established safety practices, campus procedures, and applicable California Vehicle Code requirements. Equipment operated and duties performed are consistent with light automotive equipment as defined within the Equipment Operation Series and do not typically involve the operation of heavy construction equipment or vehicles exceeding the scope of this classification.

Responsibilities

Light Equipment and Vehicle Operation

• Operates a variety of light automotive vehicles and grounds maintenance equipment in support of campus operations, including light-duty (two-axle) trucks, riding lawn mowers, small wheel-type tractors, sweepers, utility vehicles and other lightweight automotive equipment.
• Utilizes small loaders and similar equipment with standard-capacity buckets (generally one cubic yard or less) to perform routine materials handling tasks such as moving soil, mulch, debris, and other landscaping materials.
• Performs equipment operation in accordance with established safety practices, campus procedures, and applicable California Vehicle Code requirements.
• Ensures equipment use remains within the scope of light automotive equipment as defined by the Equipment Operation Series, avoiding operation of heavy construction equipment or vehicles exceeding classification specifications.

Landscaping and Grounds Support

• Mowing, trimming, edging, and turf care.
• Landscaping support such as planting, watering, and debris removal.
• Assisting with seasonal campus beautification activities.

Maintenance and Safety

• Conducts routine servicing and basic maintenance of equipment used.
• Checking fluid levels, tire pressure, and safety features.
• Notifying supervisors of equipment issues or needed repairs.
• Follows safety protocols and CSU/California Vehicle Code standards for equipment and vehicle operation.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the rules of safe driving and the provisions of the State of California Vehicle Code pertaining to operation of vehicles described in the appropriate classification.
• Knowledge of State of California General Industrial Safety orders related to the assigned tasks of the classification, particularly those related to vehicle and equipment operation, construction methods and practices, and the lifting and moving of heavy loads.

Abilities

• Ability to operate assigned equipment safely.
• Recognize safety hazards and follow practices and laws to ensure safety.
• Follow manuals and guidelines pertaining to operation of State vehicles.
• Load and unload vehicles correctly and safely.
• Follow oral and written instruction.
• Read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other people.
• Service and make routine repairs of equipment operated.
• Perform manual labor as required by the duties of the position.

Experience

• Equivalent to one year of paid or regularly assigned driving experience in a job involving operating a delivery vehicle, truck, tractor, bus, or automotive maintenance equipment.

License

• Possess appropriate license for each vehicle operated and may be required by the State of California Vehicle Code to carry appropriate certification while driving. Drivers of State-owned vehicles must maintain a good driving record, which will be checked periodically with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively while operating equipment and completing assigned grounds duties.
• Experience working independently and as part of a team in a facilities, grounds, or maintenance environment.
• Experience working in a campus, institutional, or public setting with an understanding of maintaining a clean, safe, and visually appealing environment.
• Demonstrated experience providing courteous, service-oriented interactions with a diverse campus community, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors, while performing operational duties.

Condition(s) of Employment

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including LiveScan, as appropriate), that may include, but is not limited to: criminal records check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certificates, credit history, professional references and/or verification of work history is required for employment. Cal State East Bay will issue a conditional offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Unsatisfactory results may also affect the continued employment of current Cal State East Bay employees who were conditionally offered the position.
All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate. LiveScan is conducted through the University Police Department.

EEO Statement

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal State, East Bay provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. The CSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatorypreferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Other Information

All California State University campuses, including Cal State East Bay, are smoke and tobacco-free. For more information, please visit our website here.
In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the Cal State East Bay Annual Campus Security Report is available here.

Sponsorship

Cal State East Bay is not a sponsoring agency for Staff or Management positions and we are not an E-Verify employer.

Mandated Reporter

The incumbent in this position may be considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and will be required to comply with requirements set forth in the CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.

Advertised: April 03, 2026 (2:00 PM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

The Light Automotive Equipment Operator primarily performs skilled operation of light automotive vehicles and equipment in support of campus grounds and maintenance operations. The incumbent operates equipment and vehicles typical of this classification, including light-duty (two-axle) trucks, riding mowers, small wheel-type tractors with attachments, sweepers, utility vehicles, and small loaders within standard capacity limits. The position’s primary function is the safe and efficient operation of light automotive and grounds maintenance equipment, with responsibility for performing routine servicing and minor maintenance such as safety inspections, fluid checks, and basic adjustments to ensure proper working conditions. The incumbent reports equipment malfunctions and coordinates needed repairs. In support of equipment operation, the incumbent performs a range of grounds maintenance tasks, including mowing, trimming, edging, planting, watering, and debris removal, as well as assisting with campus beautification and seasonal projects. Manual labor duties are performed in connection with equipment use, including loading and unloading materials. Work is performed in accordance with established safety practices, campus procedures, and applicable California Vehicle Code requirements. Equipment operated and duties performed are consistent with light automotive equipment as defined within the Equipment Operation Series and do not typically involve the operation of heavy construction equipment or vehicles exceeding the scope of this classification.

The Light Automotive Equipment Operator primarily performs skilled operation of light automotive vehicles and equipment in support of campus grounds and maintenance operations. The incumbent operates equipment and vehicles typical of this classification, including light-duty (two-axle) trucks, riding mowers, small wheel-type tractors with attachments, sweepers, utility vehicles, and small loaders within standard capacity limits. The position’s primary function is the safe and efficient operation of light automotive and grounds maintenance equipment, with responsibility for performing routine servicing and minor maintenance such as safety inspections, fluid checks, and basic adjustments to ensure proper working conditions. The incumbent reports equipment malfunctions and coordinates needed repairs. In support of equipment operation, the incumbent performs a range of grounds maintenance tasks, including mowing, trimming, edging, planting, watering, and debris removal, as well as assisting with campus beautification and seasonal projects. Manual labor duties are performed in connection with equipment use, including loading and unloading materials. Work is performed in accordance with established safety practices, campus procedures, and applicable California Vehicle Code requirements. Equipment operated and duties performed are consistent with light automotive equipment as defined within the Equipment Operation Series and do not typically involve the operation of heavy construction equipment or vehicles exceeding the scope of this classification.

• Unit 5 - CSUEU - Operations and Support Services 1