If you are looking for a rewarding long‑term career with opportunities to expand your skills and advance your future, consider applying for the Equipment Operator position with TxDOT at the North Harris Maintenance Office in Houston.
At TxDOT, we value dedicated, hardworking, and motivated individuals who are committed to excellence and public service. As an equipment operator, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop valuable technical skills, and contribute to maintaining a safe and reliable transportation system for the traveling public.
TxDOT is committed to the success and well-being of its employees by providing supportive work environment and a comprehensive benefits package. Employees have access to wellness programs, professional development and training opportunities, retirement benefits, tuition assistance, and variety of additional resourses designed to support career growth.
Join our team and take the next step forward towards building a meaningful and fulfilling career with TxDOT.

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Performs complex transportation maintenance work operating heavy equipment such as a tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt distributor, profiling/milling machine, and dump truck. Work requires contact with private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Essential Duties:

• Monitors and completes various required reports including time-keeping, equipment forms, inventory, accident forms, Preventative Maintenance Inspection (PMI) checklist, and records work in progress.

• Operates one or more types of complex heavy equipment such as tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt profiling/milling machine and dump truck.
• Performs preventive maintenance inspections (PMI), routine servicing and minor repairs on equipment; as required uses/moves equipment/tools, materials and products related to these activities to include tires and equipment attachments.
• Operates tractor-trailer haul trucks to relocate heavy and light equipment including loading, securing, and unloading equipment on haul trailers in compliance with federal, state, and Department motor vehicle laws, regulations, and standards.
• May serve as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.

• May train other employees on the operation of equipment and safety procedures.

• Operates heavy equipment performing highly complex transportation maintenance and roadway repairs.
• May coordinate equipment operations for daily work assignments.
• Sands or cleans bridges and roads, posting warning signs, helping the public and performing other work as directed during emergency situations such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, accidents and hazardous material spills.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education No education required.

Experience 1 year experience in maintenance and/or construction equipment operation. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses and Certifications:

• • Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
  • Must have a valid Texas Commercial Driver's License for equipment operation at time of application

Competencies:

• Some knowledge of:

  • The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

  • Basic vehicle mechanics, maintenance and repair procedures

• Proficient skill in:

  • Prioritizing and organizing work assignments

  • Operating light and heavy highway equipment

• Ability to:

  • Communicate effectively

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions

• Subject to noise

• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs.

• Balancing - walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling

• Stooping - bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist

• Crouching - bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine

• Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words

• Hearing - perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication

• Visual Acuity - operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment

Conditions of Employment:
Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• Must be able to report for duty within 60 minutes of notification on a 24-hour basis to respond to emergency situations.

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information