Mobile Equipment Operator 1, 2, or Heavy 1 (Harrisonburg)

State of Louisiana; Harrisonburg, Baton Rouge (VA, LA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is seeking Mobile Equipment Operators to help maintain roads and bridges. Positions offer hands-on training, with opportunities for career progression and a 10% base pay increase after attaining permanent status.

The roles require working outdoors, handling heavy equipment, and may involve shift work, travel, and occasional night/overtime duties.

Qualifications

• No experience required; training provided.
• Outdoor, physically active role with varying weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy and specialized equipment for road and bridge maintenance.
• Assist with construction, repair, and upkeep of highways and bridges.
• Perform routine equipment inspections and basic preventative maintenance.
• Support traffic control, cleanup, and emergency response activities.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Perform physical tasks such as lifting, loading materials, and using tools.
• Assist or guide lower-level operators as needed.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety awareness

Job description

DISTRICT 58 - Unit 540

JOB NUMBER: 58/164150/MEO1-H/10.13.2026-JB

Help keep Louisiana’s roads and bridges safe while building a long-term career in public service. This position offers hands‑on work, paid training, and opportunities for career growth within DOTD.

At the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), we plan, build, maintain, and protect the transportation systems that connect communities, support commerce, and keep Louisiana moving. Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency.

Mobile Equipment Operators help keep Louisiana’s roads and bridges safe by operating equipment to support maintenance and construction work.

This position offers a 10% base pay increase upon attainment of permanent status (where applicable). No experience is required—training is provided, with opportunities for career progression.

This is an outdoor, physically active role that may involve varying weather conditions, shift work, nightwork, overtime, travel, or emergency call‑outs depending on assignment.

This position is located in Catahoula Parish, District 58, Unit 540 and reports to the Highway Foreman 1.

No experience or training is required.

Job Duties:

• Operate heavy and specialized equipment used in road and bridge maintenance
• Assist with construction, repair, and upkeep of highways and bridges
• Perform routine equipment inspections and basic preventative maintenance
• Support traffic control, cleanup, and emergency response activities
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Perform physical tasks such as lifting, loading materials, and using hand and power tools
• Assist or guide lower-level operators as needed

This role requires reliability, safety awareness, and the ability to adapt to changing work conditions.

Position-Specific Details:

Compensation:

• MOBILE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 1: Class D, Chauffeur’s License will be required upon appointment. The starting salary for MEO 1 is $16.06/hour; this job title receives Premium Pay in the amount of $1.00/hour for every hour worked. Additionally, a 10% base pay increase will be granted upon attainment of permanent status.
• MOBILE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 2: Class A, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) will be required upon appointment. The starting salary for MEO 2 is $17.18/hour; this job title receives Premium Pay in the amount of $1.00/hour for every hour worked. Additionally, a 10% base pay increase will be granted upon attainment of permanent status.
• MOBILE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 1/HEAVY: Class A, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) will be required upon appointment. The starting salary for MEO 1/Heavy will be $21.05/hour.

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as either a probational appointment (open to all qualified applicants); a promotion (open to all statewide classified and Agency-wide permanent status employees); or by detail to special duty.

Career Progression:

This position may be filled as Mobile Equipment Operator 1, Mobile Equipment Operator 2, or Mobile Equipment Operator 1-Heavy, based on qualifications and agency needs.

Licensing Requirements:

Certain levels may require a valid Louisiana Class “D” Chauffeur’s License or CDL prior to permanent appointment or start date, depending on assignment.

Work Schedule:

Work hours are 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Thursday.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. DOTD does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.

Information on the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Clifton Bingham

Title: Parish Highway Maintenance Superintendent

Phone Number: 318-744-5401