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

State of Louisiana; Harrisonburg (LA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

Insurance Coverage

Parental Leave

Holidays and Leave

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) invites applicants for Mobile Equipment Operator positions in District 58, Unit 540. This outdoor, physically active role requires no prior experience; training is provided, with opportunities for career progression.

Starting salaries range by title from $16.06 to $21.05 per hour, with a 10% premium pay upon permanent status and potential shift or travel requirements. Work hours are 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Thursday.

Qualifications

• No experience or training is required.

Responsibilities

• 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

Job description

DISTRICT 58 - Unit 540

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. 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Contact Information

• Contact Name: Clifton Bingham
• Title: Parish Highway Maintenance Superintendent
• Phone Number: 318-744-5401

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.

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

Benefits

• Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/
• Parental Leave – Up to six weeks paid parental leave
  More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx
• Holidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
  • Mardi Gras,
  • Good Friday,
  • Memorial Day,
  • Independence Day,
  • Labor Day,
  • Veteran's Day,
  • Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
  • Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor
• State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
• Retirement – State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):
  • Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
  • Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
  • Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others