Equipment Operator

Salary :$43,778.12 - $65,667.19 Annually Location :Public Services - Lincolnton, NC Job Type:Full Time Job Number:2026-00109 Fund:10 GENERAL FUND Department:4520 - STREET MAINTENANCE Opening Date:03/06/2026 Closing Date:4/17/2026 5:00 PM Eastern FLSA:Non-ExemptDistinguishing Features of the ClassAttachments Must Be In PDF FormatMust have a valid North Carolina CDL-B driver's license or CDL-ANote: Entry Level Equipment Operator Position - Salary will be based on skills & qualificationsOpen Until Filled or April 17, 2026, whichever comes firstPrimary Reason Why Classification Exists To operate multiple types of equipment with various levels of difficulty requiring a high level of skill and competence within the Public Works Divisions.Distinguishing Features of the Class An employee in this class performs as a skilled operator in the operation of light, medium, and heavy equipment and automated specialized vehicles in the maintenance and repair of streets and other municipal structures, and the collection/removal of solid waste/debris in residential and business districts. Typical equipment operated includes dump truck, bucket truck, tractor, street sweeper, swap loader, tanker, backhoe, sanitation vehicles, knuckle boom, leaf truck, chipper, air compressor, sled tamp, jump task packer, chain saw, road saw, skid steer, cement mixer, snow plow, jack hammer, flail mower, and/or other motorized equipment. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Public Works Supervisor, and is evaluated for compliance with safety procedures, skill in equipment operation, attained performance objectives, and overall appearance of completed tasks. Illustrative Examples of Work Operates light, medium and heavy equipment in the maintenance and upkeep of the City's infrastructure Operates equipment in street and pedestrian traffic, around other ground utilities and in other tight places requiring care and skill Operates automated vehicles and hydraulic mechanisms in the collection of solid waste, recyclables, and other waste materials Washes and cleans assigned equipment; performs routine servicing such as checking fluid level, tire pressure, and greasing equipment. Performs other general maintenance tasks or construction tasks such as pouring and finishing concrete, patching pavement, installing street signs, trimming bushes or trees for sight distance, laying driveway pipe, collecting leaves, cutting grass, leaf removal and other similar tasks. Performs building maintenance including carpentry and masonry tasks at job sites May provide training to new employees and employees with lesser skills in equipment operation and work procedures Reports any unsafe conditions of equipment and other necessary repairs to supervisor Assists with other divisions and departments as assigned Utilizes departments software programs to complete division's tasks Works outside normal work hours as needed, responds to emergency situations, and serves on-call Performs related tasks as required Knowledge,Skills,and AbilitiesKnowledge of the operation of varied equipment operation including those requiring CDL license Knowledge of municipal street locations, safety procedures, and city policies regarding equipment operation, and OSHA safety regulations General knowledge of the occupational hazards involved and the safety precautions necessary to the proper operation of varied assigned equipment Thorough knowledge of the traffic laws and regulations governing equipment operations Knowledge of care and maintenance requirements of equipment assigned Skill in the operation of equipment to which assigned Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions Ability to work hours as needed in support of City functions Ability to perform normal care and maintenance for equipment assigned Ability to use technology resources as assigned and implemented. Ability to communicate effectively with city residents Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and supervisors Ability to receive and carry out instructions provided by a supervisor and/or job specs from blueprints Ability to identify and report maintenance needs of various structures, grounds, and facilitiesPhysical Requirements This is heavy work requiring the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, and repetitive motions. Also requires vocal communication to express or exchange, hearing to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and visual acuity for depth perception, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection to operate motor vehicles or other equipment, determine the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observe general surroundings and activities.Working Conditions Employees are subject to outside environmental conditions, including extreme cold and heat as well as noise levels requiring workers requiring the wearing of protective gear. Employees are subject to physical workplace hazards including proximity to moving mechanical parts or construction equipment, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, and potential exposure to chemicals. Employee is subject to vibration such as oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body when working with equipment. Employees are subject to atmospheric conditions including fumes, odors, dusts, dirt, mists, gases, or poor ventilation. This employee may work in close quarters which could cause claustrophobia.Education Completion of high school or GED.Experience One or more years' experience in the operation of medium and heavy equipment is preferred.Special Requirements Possession of a valid North Carolina CDL-B driver's license or CDL-A. Forklift Operator Certification, Flagger Training, and Competent Person Training will be completed within 2 years of date of hire.FLSA Status : Non-Exempt CAREER LADDER - EQUIPMENT OPERATOR Guidelines for achieving equipment proficiency rating for all Equipment Operator levels: Successful complete proficiency test with a pass score, or Complete training hours, and then successfully complete proficiency test with a pass score. If employee does not pass proficiency test, the employee will complete the applicable training hours before being allowed another attempt at the proficiency test. This method will be repeated until employee is able to successfully pass a proficiency test. Proficiency testing will be conducted by the Public Works Superintendent and Public Works Crew Leader/Solid Waste Crew Leader.Equipment Operator I Requirements - Must possess a CDL Class B or Class A. Ability to operate manual or automatic transmission vehicles is dependent upon license employee possesses. New hires must pass proficiency testing during the 12-month probationary period to determine if Operator I is recommended. To achieve Equipment Operator I status, the employee must demonstrate proficiency on the following: Tractors with bush hog attachment (20 hours), Tractors with auger attachment (20 hours), Tractors with box blade and pulverizer attachments (20 hours), Manual transmission flatbed truck (20 hours), Manual transmission dump truck (20 Hours), Automatic transmission flatbed truck (20 hours), Automatic transmission dump truck (20 hours), Tanker (25 hours), Ability to identify and have knowledge of location for primary and downtown area streets in the City of Lincolnton. Equipment Operator II Requirements- Two (2) or more years' experience in the operation, maintenance and care of a variety of medium and heavy equipment. New hires must pass proficiency testing during the 12-month probationary period to determine if Operator II status is recommended. To achieve Equipment Operator II status, the employee must demonstrate proficiency on the following:All Operator I equipment, and Lincolnton primary and downtown area streets, Street sweeper 20 hours, Bucket Truck (25 hours), Automated trash truck (80 hours plus knowledge of the routes or two weeks plus knowledge of the routes), Knuckle booms (50 hours), Ability to identify and have knowledge of location for secondary streets in the City of Lincolnton. Equipment Operator III Requirements- Four (4) or more years' experience in the operation, maintenance and care of a variety of medium and heavy equipment. New hires must pass proficiency testing during the 12-month probationary period to determine if Operator III status is recommended. To achieve Equipment Operator III status, the employee must demonstrate proficiency on the following:All Operator I equipment, and Lincolnton primary and downtown area streets, All Operator II equipment, and Lincolnton secondary streets, Backhoe (100 hours - 25 for front end loader, 75 for backhoe operation), Skid steer with attachments (75 hours), Flail mower (75 hours), Ability to identify and have knowledge of location for Lincolnton dead end streets and Boger City area.Disclaimer This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job. The City of Lincolnton reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classification. The City of Lincolnton is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)We value diversity in the workplace. Candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, gender, religion, disability, political affiliation, national origin, age, or any other protected class. Interested individuals, who meet the basic requirements, are invited to apply for consideration. E-Verify Employer This full-time position qualifies for new hire benefits, which include; Health, Dental, Vision, Short-term Disability, Flexible Spending Account, and Group Term Life. Please visit the City's benefits page by clicking on the City Logo below for details. 01This position requires at least a CDL-B. What type of license do you possess?NC CDL-B NC CDL-A NC Class C NC CDL-B with E restriction-No Manual Transmission Non-CDL B Out of State Other02This position will need to be able to work on-call and overtime as needed (including weekends and holidays). Would you be able to meet this requirement?Yes No03The physical requirements for this position are considered to be heavy work and require the exerting of up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Would you be able to meet these requirements?Yes No04Do you have current certifications in the following? Check all that apply.Forklift Operators Certification Flagger Training Competent Person Training None05How many years experience do you have in the operation of medium and heavy equipmentNone Less than a year One year Two years Three to four years Five or more years06This position will be predominantly outside working conditions. Would you be able to work in varying weather conditions?Yes No07Do you have any relatives that work for the City of Lincolnton? If yes, please list the relative employed. Required Question