Medium Equipment Operator - Planning & Engineering Division

City of Savannah; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Pension plan

12 paid holidays

Uniform allowance

Job summary

City of Savannah is hiring a Heavy Equipment Operator to maintain and repair essential water infrastructure. You will operate heavy machinery, perform hands-on repairs, inspect equipment, and ensure safety at diverse work sites.

The role offers competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for growth while supporting community services and utilities in Savannah, GA. A valid driver’s license and prior medium equipment experience are required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED; 2 years of medium equipment operation/maintenance experience or equivalent
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with acceptable driving history
• Background check, drug screen, pre-employment medical screen, and verification of education/licenses required before employment

Responsibilities

• Operates jackhammer, backhoe, excavator, and hand tools to excavate water lines and prepare sites.
• Maintains and inspects equipment and performs minor repairs.
• Transports equipment to job sites and sets up traffic control devices.
• Ensures work sites comply with safety guidelines and informs residents of ongoing work.
• Loads and moves dirt, gravel, and heavy materials; performs trenching and valve/meter work.
• Assists in installation, repair, and maintenance of hydrants and water lines.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety compliance

Equipment inspection

Traffic control

Manual dexterity

Oral and written communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Tractors

Backhoes

Dump trucks

Front-end loader

Power tools

Job description

Purpose

Join a team that keeps our community running smoothly by maintaining and repairing vital water infrastructure. In this role, you’ll operate heavy equipment, perform hands‑on repairs, and ensure safety at work sites—all while enjoying competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

We offer great pay and excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, employee/spouse/child supplemental life insurance, short-term disability, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, deferred compensation plan (457 B), pension plan, flexible spending account, employee referral program, home purchase assistance, and 12 paid holidays!

Essential Job Functions

• Maintains assigned equipment; completes minor repairs; washes and greases equipment.
• Inspects equipment before use.
• Transports equipment to job sites.
• Ensures that work sites are compliant with safety guidelines. Informs surrounding residents of ongoing work.
• Operates jackhammer, backhoe, excavator, and hand tools to excavate water lines.
• Digs trenches.
• Measures and cuts stubbing and wire.
• Excavates and cleans valve and meter boxes.
• Assists in the installation, repair, and maintenance of fire hydrants.
• Operates a backhoe.
• Maintains, inspects, and operates various hand and power tools, as well as small equipment.
• Sets up traffic control devices around work sites.
• Loads construction debris onto trucks.
• Moves dirt, gravel, rock, sand, and other heavy materials.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED equivalent, with two (2) years of medium equipment operation and maintenance experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving history.

Additional Requirements

Background investigation, including a supervised drug screen, post offer/pre-employment medical screen, and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment.

Additional Information

• Knowledge of water valves & operation
• Knowledge of landscape maintenance techniques.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of turf maintenance techniques.
• Knowledge of department policies and procedures.
• Skill in the operation of work-related equipment, including tractors, flatbed trucks, dump trucks, backhoes, trimmers, blowers, and front-end loaders.
• Skill in performing maintenance checks of equipment.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

City Of Savannah Employee Benefits

Overview of Benefits

• Paid Holiday
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Sick Leave
• Defined Benefit Retirement Pension Plan
• Protective Services Retirement Plan (select positions)
• Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan
• Retirement Seminars
• PPO Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Health & Wellness Incentives
• Long Term Disability
• Excellence and Service Recognition
• Employee Development and In-Service Training
• Educational Assistance Program
• Uniform Allowance (select positions)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts and Memberships
• Employee Relations
• Direct Deposit
• Credit Union
• Pretax Parking Deductions
• Employer Assisted Home Purchase Program
• Domestic Partnership Benefits
• Healthcare
• PPO Medical Plus Plan
• PPO Medical Basic Plan
• Dental Plus Plan
• Dental Basic Plan
• Vision Service Plan
• Life Insurance
• Basic Life and ADD
• Supplemental Life Employee
• Supplemental Life Spouse
• Supplemental Life Child
• Benefits costs are paid by the City of Savannah, by the employee or shared by both the City and the employee.

01 Do you have a valid Driver's License with an acceptable driving history?

• Yes
• No

02 Do you have at least two (2) years of experience operating medium equipment?

• Yes
• No

03 Do you have experience in excavating in a high-profile utilities area?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question