Join our Karnes City Maintenance Team and help shape the heart of Texas! We are looking for dedicated, skilled, and safety driven individuals to step into key roles as Equipment Operators or Equipment Operator Specialists. In this vital position, you'll operate and maintain a variety of heavy equipment that keeps our roadways safe, reliable, and built for the future. From tackling hands-on fieldwork to supporting major maintenance operations, you'll be part of a team that takes pride in precision, teamwork and service to the community. If you're motivated, dependable and ready to work - apply today!

Salary Ranges:

Equipment Operator: (A18) $45,521 - $71,055 annually
Equipment Operator Specialist: (A19) $48,244 - $76,028 annually

The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors and based on business needs.

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 for Equipment Operator:

• Assists in providing support to local law enforcement officials at accident sites; assists stranded motorists as required.
• Assists with traffic control; places and gathers cones, warning signs and barricades; flags traffic.
• Operates light equipment such as a front-end loader one and a quarter cubic yards or less, pneumatic roller, rotary broom, spreader box, backhoe, street sweeper, and mower.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Essential Duties for Equipment Operator Specialist (In addition to the above):

• Trains other employees on equipment operation and safety procedures.
• Monitors and completes various required reports including time-keeping, equipment forms, inventory, accident forms, Preventative Maintenance Inspection (PMI) checklist, and records work in progress.
• 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.
• May coordinate equipment operations for daily work assignments.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

No education required.

Experience:

Equipment Operator: 1 year experience in maintenance and/or construction equipment operation.

Equipment Operator Specialist: 2 years 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 class "A" with an "N" endorsement for equipment operation at time of application.
• Commercial Driver Certificate-issued at time of hire
• Safety Impact Certificate-issued at time of hire

Competencies for Equipment Operator:

• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes
• Methods, procedures, equipment, and materials used in intermodal transportation engineering construction and maintenance work
• The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Coordinating labor, materials, and equipment
• Prioritizing and organizing work assignments
• Operating light and heavy highway equipment
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others
• Maintaining a safe working environment
• Drive and ride in a vehicle for extended periods
  

Competencies for Equipment Operator Specialist (In addition to the above):

• Basic vehicle mechanics, maintenance and repair procedures
• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes
• Using applicable hand and power tools, equipment, and mechanical devices of the trade
• Communicate effectively
• Follow verbal and written instructions

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Subject to noise
• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs
• Hearing-perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication
• Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment
• Visual Acuity-determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures
  

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.
• Required to work weekends and holidays.
• Required to work hours other than 8 to 5.
• Required to work under exposure to inclement weather conditions.
• Required to wear personal protective equipment provided by employer and comply with all safety requirements.
• Must be able to report for duty within 45 minutes of notification on a 24-hour basis to respond to emergency situations.
• A mathematical simulation will be part of the interview process

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