Roads Maintenance Equipment Operator

King County; Renton (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Road Services Division is seeking three Equipment Operators to safely operate heavy machinery such as backhoes, graders, track hoes, dozers, and loaders on road maintenance projects across King County, WA. You will perform daily inspections, minor maintenance, and contribute to safety and efficiency in field operations.

Ideal candidates are safety-conscious team players able to handle emergencies, support special projects, and work with diverse crews to keep roads and bridges in good

Qualifications

• Experience operating heavy equipment including front-end loaders, backhoes, graders, dozers and other heavy machinery.
• Ability to perform routine daily inspections and minor maintenance.
• Familiarity with safety protocols, traffic control, and emergency response procedures.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate heavy equipment on road maintenance and construction projects.
• Assist with maintenance of roads, right-of-way, and public facilities.
• Inspect vehicles and perform minor preventive maintenance as needed.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety-conscious

Vehicle inspection

Traffic control

Team collaboration

Job description

This recruitment is open to all King County employees and the general public.

King County Road Services Division is looking for three (3) skilled and safety-conscious Equipment Operators to join our dynamic team. This position is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of a variety of heavy equipment, including backhoes, graders, track hoes, dozers, and slope mowers, as well as handling graders over ten tons and front-end loaders with bucket capacities up to four yards. The ideal candidates will have experience conducting daily vehicle inspections and performing minor preventative maintenance. Flexibility is essential, as duties may involve responding to emergencies, addressing equipment breakdowns, and working on special projects. If you're a dependable team player committed to safety and are looking to make a meaningful impact in our community, we encourage you to apply.

Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

The King County Road Services Division designs, builds, operates, and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County. The Division is committed to ensuring the county's transportation system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel.

To learn more about the Road Services Division, visit us at: About the Road Services Division - King County, Washington.

Applying equity, racial, and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Safely operate various heavy machinery/equipment, such as front-end loaders, backhoe, track hoe, grader, road brooms, slope mowers, roller, and dozers.


• Support maintenance/construction activities by using heavy equipment in the upkeep and development of roads, right-of-way, and other public facilities.


• Inspect assigned vehicles and perform minor preventative maintenance and associated manual tasks to correct safety problems as necessary.


• Determine safe and efficient methods for operation of all County equipment.


• Collaborate with crews to ensure safety and maintain focus on assigned tasks.

• Ensure the safety of crews and the public by providing appropriate traffic control measures on streets and highways, including flagging, and placing signs, cones and barricades as needed.


• Responds to emergency situations such as floods, snow/ice/windstorms, etc.


• Perform a variety of manual tasks requiring the use of hand tools and handheld power tools as needed.


• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with the public, coworkers, and emergency personnel.


• Provide respectful, professional communication when engaging with the public.


• Other duties as assigned.

Values

• Serve with integrity.


• Show initiative and work hard.


• Prioritize outcomes over optics.


• Center those most impacted and put "boots on the ground".


• Solve problems with a "yes, and" mindset


• Work as one, adaptable, mission-driven team

Experience

• Experience safely operating heavy equipment, including but not limited to front-end loaders, backhoes, track hoes, graders, road brooms, slope mowers, rollers, and dozers.


• Skill in operating equipment in high-density traffic under adverse weather conditions.


• Knowledge of traffic control procedures and equipment, including flagging techniques and proper placement of signs, cones, and barricades to ensure public and crew safety.


• Ability to work collaboratively with crews, maintaining a focus on task completion and workplace safety.


• Basic mechanical skills with the ability to inspect, troubleshoot, and perform minor preventive maintenance on assigned vehicles and equipment.


• Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, plans, specifications, and road maps.


• Proficiency in fundamental math skills.


• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, prioritize tasks, and work independently and as part of a team.


• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and proficiency in the proper use, and care of a variety of tools and equipment.


• Demonstrates behaviors that include fairness, respect, and inclusiveness.


• Effectively serve on a team that contributes to a work environment that embraces and encourages diversity in its workforce and where differences are valued.


• Defensive driving skills with a strong focus on safety, hazard anticipation, and accident prevention.


• Ability in performing demanding tasks in dynamic high-pressure environments.


• Ability to maintain predictable and reliable attendance.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience related to construction and maintenance projects, including grading, drainage and right-of-way development.


• Paving experience.

Necessary Requirements

• Successfully pass a pre-employment physical.


• Submit to drug testing and test negative for presence of controlled substances; sign a Consent Form for release of Information for each employer for the past three (3) years; and successfully pass a background check for Alcohol and Controlled Substances testing, and a CDL background information check.


• Have a valid Washington State Class A or Class B with Air Brakes Commercial Driver's License and a current medical certification prior to the practical exam date.

Safety Sensitive Position

• This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for these positions are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and subsequent to commencement of employment, will be subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal DOT alcohol and controlled substance testing program protocols.

Practical/Interviews All In One Day

Those candidates who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in an in-person practical exam and interview that will be held on the same day. Only those who pass the practical assessment will move forward to the interview.

Work Locations

• 20827 Auburn-Black Diamond Rd, Black Diamond, WA


• 4341 Preston-Fall city Rd SE, Fall City, WA


• 19101 NE Union Hill Rd., Redmond, WA


• 155 Monroe Ave., NE, Renton, WA


• 74213 NE Old Cascade Hwy., Skykomish, WA


• 10021 SW Cemetery Rd, Vashon Island, WA

Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Who May Apply

This recruitment is open to all King County employees and the general public and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months.

Work Schedule

The work schedule will consist of five, eight-hour days in the fall/winter, Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm, and four, ten-hour days in the spring/summer, Monday – Thursday, 6:00 am – 4:30 p.m. This position is Non-Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay.

Emergency Designation Status

First Responder - Employees who, in the early stages of an incident, are responsible for protecting and preserving life, property, evidence, the environment, and restoring order.

Union Membership

This position is represented by LOCAL 302.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: HR Analyst Ira Becton at [e-mail]

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust.

Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.