Motor Equipment Operator

Tompkins County; New York (NY); On-site; USD 41,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Tompkins County is seeking a Motor Equipment Operator for the Town of Lansing’s Department of Public Works. The role involves operating trucks and heavy equipment, performing manual labor, and assisting with maintenance tasks on a full-time basis.

A New York State CDL Class A or B is required to apply, with a Tank endorsement within 90 days of appointment where applicable. Work hours run from mid-October to mid-April (6:00am–2:00pm) and mid-April to mid-October (6:00am–4:00pm), with residency

Qualifications

• Valid New York State Commercial Driver’s License, Class A or B, at the time of application and maintain license for duration of employment.
• Possess Tank endorsement (N) within 90 days of appointment where required.
• May be required to demonstrate ability to operate heavy truck with manual or automatic transmission.

Responsibilities

• Operates trucks for snow removal, refuse, and transport of materials.
• Operates tractors with mowing or snow removal attachments and other street construction equipment.
• Performs routine maintenance on department equipment and assists with labor tasks as needed.
• May supervise others on specific tasks and respond to emergencies.

Skills

CDL Class A or B

Heavy truck operation

Safety awareness

Job description

TOMPKINS COUNTY CIVIL SERVICE VACANCY

Inclusion Through Diversity

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Tompkins County Department of Human Resources Office

125 E. Court Street Ithaca, NY 14850

[phone]

Tompkins County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply

TITLE: Motor Equipment Operator

SALARY: $29.69/hour to $30.69/hour depending on CDL Class

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Full Time

ISSUE DATE: 11/03/26

THE FINAL DATE TO FILE APPLICATIONS: 11/13/26

DATE THAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM POSTING: 11/14/26

RESIDENCY: Candidates must have been legal residents of Tompkins County or one of the six adjoining counties (Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga) for at least one month immediately preceding the date of application and maintain residency. For Examinations: The eligible list resulting from the examination will be established in accordance with the final earned numerical ratings of passing candidates regardless of residence. A municipality or district may exercise its right under section 23‑4‑a. of Civil Service Law to request a certification of eligible candidates who have been residents of that municipality or district for at least one month prior to appointment. After the names of residents have been exhausted, Tompkins County must then certify the names of non‑residents on the list.

This is a full‑time position in the Town of Lansing's Dept of Public Works.

Work hours: Mid‑Oct to Mid‑Apr 6:00am-2:00pm Mon‑Fri, Mid‑Apr to Mid‑Oct 6:00am to 4:00pm Mon‑Thu.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The applicant must possess a valid New York State Commercial Driver’s License, Class A or B, at the time of application and maintain such license for the duration of employment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE TOWN OF LANSING AND TOMPKINS COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:

The candidate must possess a valid New York State Commercial Driver’s License, Class A or B at the time of application. There can be no Air Brakes restriction listed at the time of application. Depending on the vehicles owned by the agency in which hired, the candidate may be required to demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively operate a heavy truck which utilizes a manual transmission. The incumbent must possess a Tank endorsement (N) within 90 days of appointment. The employee must maintain the CDL and appropriate endorsements for the duration of employment. Failure to maintain the required license may result in termination of the employment situation.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE TOWN OF ITHACA

The candidate must possess a valid New York State Commercial Driver’s License, Class A or B, with tank endorsement, at the time of application. There can be no Air Brakes restriction (L or Z) listed at the time of application but are allowed to have non‑manual transmission (E) restriction. Class A license may have an O (non‑tractor‑trailer) restriction. The candidate is expected to demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively operate a heavy truck (utilizing manual or automatic transmission), truck and trailer combinations and/or other such heavy equipment as required. Incumbents must maintain CDL and appropriate endorsements for the duration of employment. Failure to maintain the required license may result in termination of the employment situation.

Tompkins County is committed to Equity and Inclusion. We encourage those with similar values to apply.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

This is manual work involving responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of various types of motor equipment and the performance of manual duties related to the operation of the equipment. The work also involves the performance of a variety of unskilled labor tasks. This class is distinguished from that of Heavy Equipment Operator in that the work primarily involves the operation of motor equipment that is not classified as heavy equipment. The Motor Equipment Operator may, however, operate heavy equipment on a relief or trainee basis. The work is performed under general supervision with some leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment. Supervision may be exercised over the work of Laborers or others on specific tasks. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES :

• Operates a truck in connection with the removal of snow and refuse, and the transportation of stone, gravel, and supplies
• Operates a tractor with mowing or snow removal attachments or a truck with a snow loader, snow plow, or other attachments
• Operates other street construction equipment
• Performs preventative maintenance of department equipment
• Performs manual labor such as loading trucks, digging ditches, cutting trees and brush, flushing sewers, cleaning culverts, raking blacktop, mulching, chipping wood, and landscaping related duties
• Acts as an essential personnel and may be required to respond to emergency call‑ins
• May supervise others, as specific tasks require

IN ADDITION TO THE TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITES LISTED ABOVE THOSE THAT WORK AT VARIOUS TOWNS MAY ALSO:

• May perform water maintenance work on water distribution systems such as fire hydrants and water mains
• May perform sewer maintenance work on manholes, and sewer collection systems
• May assist with water distribution and sewer collections monitoring, as assigned
• May perform parks cleaning and preparation for recreational activities
• May perform general facility upkeep, cleaning and maintenance duties
• May perform other highway / public works related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Good knowledge of the operation of tractors, trucks and other automotive equipment
• Good knowledge of the geography of the area
• Skill in the use of basic hand and power tools (e.g., hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, power drills, and circular saws)
• Ability and willingness to perform routine tasks requiring physical exertion such as lifting, climbing, painting, washing, sweeping/mopping, moving furniture, shoveling, raking, and mowing

ABILITY TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A VARIETY OF BUILDINGS AND GROUND EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES:

• Ability to operate and maintain a variety of buildings and grounds equipment and vehicles such as scaffolding, pumps, lifts, riding and walk‑behind mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, blowers, plows, spreaders, pressure washers, and (depending upon the appointing authority) trucks (pickup, dump and lift‑gate), (depending on appointing authority)
• Ability to understand and follow simple oral and written directions
• Ability to identify, avoid, and report potentially hazardous working conditions
• Ability to understand, interpret, and follow all applicable safety policies
• Mechanical aptitude for vehicles and facilities
• Willingness to respond to emergencies and perform overtime work
• Willingness to work outside under adverse weather conditions
• The employee’s physical and mental condition shall be commensurate with the demands of the position, either with or without reasonable accommodations

Originally created 7/17/81M9.doc

ALL CANDIDATES FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR POSITIONS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND BOCES GOVERNED BY TOMPKINS COUNTY CIVIL SERVICE MAY HAVE THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL REQUIREMENT. PER CHAPTER 180 OF THE LAWS OF 2000, AND BY REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, TO BE EMPLOYED IN A POSITION DESIGNATED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOCES AS INVOLVING DIRECT CONTACT WITH STUDENTS, A CLEARANCE FOR EMPLOYMENT FROM THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS REQUIRED. In conformance with Section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duties shall be entitled to receive an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and are a child of firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duties in this municipality, please inform this office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established.

RELEVANT INFORMATION

Falsification of any part of the “Application for Employment” will result in disqualification.

Tompkins County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of its efforts to provide employment opportunities to the physically handicapped, Tompkins County Civil Service has adopted a rule permitting the employment of qualified physically handicapped persons without competitive examination (pursuant to Section 55 of Civil Service Law). If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position and wish to know more about this rule, please contact the Tompkins County Department of Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: Applicants may be required to undergo a State and national criminal history background investigation, which will include a fingerprint check, to determine suitability for appointment. Failure to meet the standards for the background investigation may result in disqualification.

TOMPKINS COUNTY PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT, 125 EAST COURT STREET, ITHACA, NY 14850