Heavy Equipment Operator

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

04/03/2026

PAY GRADE:

Grade 17

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

Heavy Equipment Operators in the Merit System are responsible for the operation of a variety of street maintenance and utility heavy equipment. Individuals in this classification perform work that involves the execution of specific rules, regulations, or procedures, and employees in this classification are responsible for the efficient and safe operation of heavy equipment. The following is an example of some of the equipment operated by this classification: asphalt distributors, backhoes, farm equipment, front-end loaders, fuel trucks, mechanical brush pickers, rock beaters, rubber tire loaders, sewer flusher machines, sewer rodding machines, sewer vacuum machines, steel wheel rollers, street sweepers, tractor-trailer trucks, and other related equipment. Work assignments are received either orally or as written work orders and are usually assigned by an immediate supervisor daily. After work assignments are given, the work is usually performed with limited supervision. Work is reviewed by on-site observation, results obtained, and through evaluations. Supervision may be exercised over Laborers, Skilled Laborers and Truck Drivers if HEO's supervisor is not at the work site.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Agencies provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more.

Applications for this position will be considered for the following Merit System employing agencies. The pay range for this job varies depending upon the Merit System employing agency.

Bessemer: $18.35 - $28.46

Birmingham: $18.74 - $29.08

Center Point: $17.69 - $27.44

Fultondale: $19.52 - $30.28

Gardendale: $21.87 - $33.93

Homewood: $21.65 - $33.58

Hueytown: $19.28 - $29.92

Irondale: $22.25 - $34.52

Jefferson County: $20.82 - $32.29

Leeds: $19.23 - $29.84

Mountain Brook: $23.51 - $36.48

Tarrant: $16.16 – $25.07

Vestavia Hills: $21.78 - $33.79

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

• Class B commercial driver's license.

• Experience working in or around heavy equipment (e.g., brush truck, rubber tire loader, roller, limb loader).  

• Experience following safety standards related to heavy equipment operation (e.g., setting up work zones, locating utility lines, flagging).  

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES: 

• Backfills, excavates, spreads, and scrapes specified parts of construction or maintenance projects using heavy equipment to meet project specifications.

• Cleans, clears, and prepares roads, ditches, sewer lines and land using heavy equipment for construction or property maintenance purposes.

• Communicates with members of the public, supervisors, and subordinates using verbal and written correspondence in order to exchange information concerning heavy equipment operator job duties.

• Acts as a lead worker of peer or support staff by assigning and reviewing work tasks, facilitating training, and providing feedback using policies, procedures, tools, and directives from management in order to ensure tasks are completed in accordance with established requirements.

• Loads, unloads, lifts, and places various materials (e.g., dirt, biosolids, pipes, brush) using heavy equipment in order to complete construction, cleanup, or maintenance projects.

• Performs preventative maintenance and basic repairs on heavy equipment (e.g., checking fluids, changing parts) in order to maintain efficient equipment operations.

• Promotes safe work practices (e.g., setting up traffic work zones, wearing safety gear, obeying applicable traffic laws, using outriggers) to prevent accidents, injuries, and property/equipment damage.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job involves physical exertion required for sustained periods of light physical activity such as operating a refuse truck or standing for prolonged periods of time. May involve occasional lifting of items or objects weighing up to 50 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is primarily performed at outdoor worksites such as residential neighborhoods, landfills, etc. Work involves use of heavy equipment such as front-end loaders, bobcats, etc., as well as a variety of hand tools. May require exposure to potentially hazardous work conditions (e.g., working in and around traffic, in and around landfills, working in and around heavy equipment). May also require exposure to inclement weather when working outdoors (e.g., extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, wind), as well as working around foul odors and potentially harmful waste.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.