Sr. Equipment Operator– Backhoe

City of Fort Worth; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 Paid Holidays

Medical

Dental

Vision

Paid Time Off

Pension Plan

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

The City of Fort Worth is hiring a Senior Equipment Operator – Backhoe to support water and wastewater infrastructure. This role requires operating backhoes and other heavy equipment to dig trenches, repair pipelines, and respond to emergencies as part of a 24/7 Field Operations Division.

You will work outdoors in all weather, with shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays. A Texas Class A CDL and the ability to obtain a Class D Water license within 12 months are required, with a $2,000

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED (REQUIRED).
• At least 3 years of professional heavy equipment operation experience (REQUIRED).
• Must pass a hands-on heavy equipment test during interview.
• Valid Texas Class A CDL driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to obtain TCEQ Class D Water/Wastewater license within 12 months.
• Overtime, night and weekend work, and on-call rotation eligibility.
• Ability to pass drug screen, physical and background checks.
• Ability to lift up to 100 pounds and work outdoors in extreme weather.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment including backhoes, cranes, bulldozers, and service trucks.
• Install, maintain, and repair water and wastewater pipelines.
• Operate valves to isolate leaks or shut off service as needed.
• Assist in construction and repair of water/sewer mains and hydrants.
• Locate buried pipelines and prepare for replacement or installation.
• Clear obstructions and set up traffic control measures.
• Perform pre- and post-operation inspections and maintenance.
• Collaborate with crew to maintain safe working conditions and complete tasks.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

CDL Class A

Job description

Pay Range: $22.90 – $28.62/hr.

Job Posting Closing on: Tuesday, September 16, 2026

Workdays & Hours: Field Operations is a 24/7 Operation - weekend work may be required. This position is a first responder in severe weather conditions/emergencies which will be subject to work after hours, emergency call back hours, nights, weekends, holidays and will participate in an on-call rotation schedule.

Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities. Find Out More!

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of over 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.

Heavy Equipment Operation

• CDL Class A
• Water Utility Construction
• Field Service Jobs

Looking for a stable career where your equipment skills keep a growing city running? Fort Worth Water is hiring Senior Equipment Operators to operate backhoes and other heavy equipment in support of vital water and wastewater infrastructure work.

As part of our 24/7 Field Operations Division, you’ll be on the ground—digging trenches, repairing pipelines, clearing obstructions, and responding to emergencies that affect thousands of residents. If you’re experienced, reliable, and ready to be part of a hardworking crew that takes pride in what they do, this is more than a job—it’s a career with purpose.

You’ll operate advanced machinery, work outdoors in all conditions, and support the daily functions of a city that’s growing fast. And with a $2,000 sign‑on incentive, now’s the perfect time to bring your skills to a team that values them.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED (REQUIRED)
• At least 3 years of professional experience operating motorized heavy equipment such as backhoes, skid steers, front‑end loaders, or excavators (REQUIRED)
• The ability to pass a hands‑on heavy equipment test during the interview process
• A valid Texas Class A CDL driver’s license with an acceptable driving record
• The ability to obtain a TCEQ Class D Water or Wastewater Collection I license within 12 months of hire (written test and background check required)
• Availability to work overtime, nights, weekends, holidays, and rotate in an on‑call schedule
• The ability to pass a drug screen, physical, and background check
• The ability to lift up to 100 pounds and work in outdoor, extreme weather conditions

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in utility repair, construction, maintenance, or fieldwork
• Prior experience working in water or wastewater utilities
• Familiarity with job site safety and work zone setup
• Experience leading or supervising a crew

The Sr. Equipment Operator – Backhoe Responsibilities Include

• Operating advanced equipment including cranes, bulldozers, backhoes, dump trucks, mini excavators, trackhoes, and service trucks
• Installing, maintaining, and repairing water and wastewater pipelines
• Operating valves on water lines to isolate leaks or shut off service as needed
• Assisting in the construction and repair of water/sewer mains, fire hydrants, and service taps
• Locating and uncovering buried pipelines, cutting and measuring pipe for replacement or installation
• Clearing obstructions in collection and distribution systems using proper equipment
• Performing job site setup including traffic control measures (cones, signs, barriers)
• Conducting pre‑ and post‑operation inspections and preventative maintenance on all assigned equipment
• Collaborating with your crew to maintain safe working conditions and complete all job tasks efficiently

Working Conditions And Physical Demand

Heavy Work – Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up‑to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects. Working in all weather conditions; including extreme weather and temperatures.

Depending on the assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, repetitive motions, climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling, and lifting; depending on assignments. Incumbents may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, odors, dust, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, intense noises, gases, vibrations, chemicals, oils, and workspace restrictions.

Conditions of Employment

The City of Fort Worth is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is the policy and practice of the City to recruit, hire, train and promote a diverse workforce without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or another non‑merit factor.

The City of Fort Worth is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.

Candidates who do not meet the Education requirement, may be considered if they have more relevant work experience than the position requires. Those selected for employment will be required to pass Pre‑Employment checks depending on the position requirements. Those could include, but are not limited to: criminal background check, drug screen, education verification, etc. criminal convictions will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Employees are paid by direct deposit only.