Sr. Equipment Operator - Heavy Equipment

The City of Fort Worth; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 Paid Holidays

Medical, Dental, Vision

Paid Time Off

Pension Plan

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

Fort Worth Water is hiring Senior Equipment Operators to operate backhoes and other heavy equipment in support of vital water and wastewater infrastructure. This is a 24/7 Field Operations role in a first-response environment.

Shift is Mon–Fri 3:30pm–12:00am; weekend work may be required. A $2,000 sign-on incentive is offered and safety/fitness tests are part of the process.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• At least 3 years of professional experience operating motorized heavy equipment (backhoes, skid steers, loaders, excavators).
• Must pass hands-on heavy equipment test during interview.
• Valid Texas Class A CDL with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to obtain TCEQ Class D Water or Wastewater Collection I license within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment including backhoes, cranes, dozers, dump trucks, and excavators.
• Install and repair water and wastewater pipelines; operate valves to isolate leaks.
• Assist in construction and repair of mains, hydrants, and service taps.
• Locate buried pipelines; clear obstructions; perform pipe measurements and replacements.
• Set up traffic control and conduct pre/post-operation inspections; maintain equipment.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

CDL Class A

Drug screening

Physical stamina

Test passability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Water/WW

Pay Range: $22.90 – $28.62/hr.

Job Posting Closing on: Thursday, October 22, 2026

This position may qualify for a $2,000 Sign-On Incentive: 50% paid on the completion of first pay period, 50% paid after 6 months of employment.

Workdays & Hours: Shift is Monday - Friday 3:30pm - 12:00am 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.

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)
• 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 ability to lift up to 100 pounds and work in outdoor, extreme weather conditions

The Sr. Equipment Operator – Heavy Equipment 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.