Job Description

Vegetation Specialist (Equipment Operator) - Houston District Headquarters - (2602422)

Position Information Join the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Houston District Maintenance Office and play a key role in district maintenance operations. We're seeking a dedicated professional to perform vegetation management and planning. As part of the District Maintenance Office, you’ll provide valuable support, guidance, and training to each of our nine maintenance sections, while implementing the district vegetation management program, winter weather brine calibration operations, and other programs covered by the District Maintenance Office. This position will require you to make frequent visits to job sites and maintenance offices for on site trainings and reviews. The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs.

Minimum Salary

: 48,244.00

Maximum Salary

: 81,351.00

Pay Basis

: Yearly FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Work Locations

Hou District Headquartrs

7600 WASHINGTON AVENUE

Houston 77007

Travel

: Yes, 5 % of the Time Shift: Day Job Shift Details: 40 Hrs./Week; Compressed Work Schedule May be Considered Location Flexibility: Onsite

Position Description

Equipment Operator Specialist (II) and Equipment Operator Senior (III)Performs highly 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. The primary equipment used for the implementation of the vegetation management program will be herbicide trucks. This position will not be the primary operator for any individual section but will provide support and training district wide to all operators as the program manager. 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:Equipment Operator IITrains other employees on equipment operation and safety procedures.Assists in providing support to local law enforcement officials at accident sites; assists stranded motorists as required.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.May serve as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.Operates heavy equipment performing highly complex transportation maintenance and roadway repairs.Conducts herbicide application operations and oversees the procurement and inventory management of herbicide supplies.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.Equipment Operator IIIIncludes all essential duties listed for Equipment Operator II as well as:Serves as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.Coordinates equipment operations for daily work assignments. Operates heavy equipment performing highly complex transportation maintenance and roadway repairs. Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minium Qualifications:Equipment Operator IIEducation:No education requiredExperience:2 years maintenance and/or construction equipment operation. (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated parttime equivalent)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 Equipment Operator IIIEducation:No education requiredExperience:4 years maintenance and/or construction equipment operation. (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated parttime equivalent) 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 applicationCompetencies:Equipment Operator IIConsiderable knowledge of:Methods, procedures, equipment, and materials used in intermodal transportation engineering construction and maintenance workBasic vehicle mechanics, maintenance and repair proceduresApplicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes Methods and procedures involving storage & transport of hazardous materialsProficient skill in:Training in a classroom, office, or field environment Coordinating labor, materials, and equipment Prioritizing and organizing work assignmentsOperating light and heavy highway equipment Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with othersAbility to:Communicate effectivelyEquipment Operator IIIIncludes all competencies listed for Equipment Operator II as well as:Extensive knowledge of:Methods, procedures, equipment, and materials used in intermodal transportation engineering construction and maintenance workBasic vehicle mechanics, maintenance and repair proceduresApplicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes Methods and procedures involving storage & transport of hazardous materials Expert skill in:Coordinating labor, materials, and equipment Prioritizing and organizing work assignmentsOperating light and heavy highway equipment Proficient skill in: Communicate effectively Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:Equipment Operator II and IIISubject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changesSubject to inside and outside environmental conditionsSubject to hazards - moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicalsMedium 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 fallingWalking - moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to anotherTalking expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken wordsClose Visual Acuity - work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive readingVisual Acuity - operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipmentVisual Acuity - determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structuresConditions 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 to the district office to assist with EOC operations during weather response events.

Job

: Maint/Skilled Craft/Ferry Ops

Schedule

: Full-time

Employee Status

: Regular

Job Type

: Standard

Job Level

: Non-Management

Job Posting

: Sep 17, 2026, 8:42:32 PM

Unposting Date

: Oct 2, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

State Job Title/s: Equipment Operator II/III State Job Code/s: 9027, 9028