Equipment Operator I
Salary
$57,220.80 - $68,556.80 Annually
Location
City of San Diego, CA
Job Type
Varies by Position
Job Number
JR-T11701-202607
Business Area
N/A - Multiple Departments
Opening Date
07/03/2026
Closing Date
7/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
JOB INFORMATION
See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.
APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING RELATED RECRUITMENT:
Equipment Operator I positions operate the less complex industrial motive equipment such as skip loaders, backhoes, skid steers, self-propelled roller compactors, asphalt distributors, motor graders on rough blading work, power sewer rodding machines, hydraulic flushers, motorized grave diggers, dump trucks, medium class wheeled tractors, five-gang mowers, five and seven deck mowers, and other equipment of comparable difficulty; and perform other duties as assigned.
NOTES:
Employees in job classifications represented by AFSME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
3.5% effective 7/1/27
2% effective 7/1/28
2% effective 1/1/29
Eligible benefited employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
Some Equipment Operator I employees are required to pass a medical physical, respiratory fit test, and obtain Confined Space Certification within six months from the date of hire. Employees will be required to obtain and maintain Confined Space Certification to retain employment.
Equipment Operator I employees who operate commercial vehicles are required by California State Law, as a condition of employment, to submit to drug and alcohol testing. Prior to hire, a background check will be completed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and with former employers regarding drug and alcohol testing.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.
EXPERIENCE: You must meet ONE of the following options:
NOTES:
LICENSE: A valid California Class C Drivers License is required at the time of hire.
NOTES:
HIGHLY DESIRABLE(S):
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):
Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employee Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.
SCREENING PROCESS
Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may be cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change to their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.
Rev. 9 - July 3, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)
City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.
Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City's Police Academy, will participate in the City's Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS).
Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.
Flexible Benefits Plan Options for Employees Represented by Local 127 or review the Benefits Summary for Local 127 Employees.
01
I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Resumes are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.
02
Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?
03
If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR.
04
The minimum age for this job is 18, unless you are 17 and a high school graduate. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?
05
How many years of full-time experience do you have operating industrial motive equipment similar to equipment operated by Light Equipment Operator positions such as light duty class farm, garden, or turf-type tractors; riding mowers; self-propelled triplexes; roller compactors; power augers; or other equipment of comparable difficulty?
06
Which of the following industrial motive equipment do you have full-time experience operating?
07
Describe your full-time experience operating the following industrial motive equipment: a. Light duty class farm, garden, or turf-type tractors; b. riding mowers; c. self-propelled triplexes; d. roller compactors; e. power augers; f. other equipment of comparable difficulty. For each area, specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent on each area, and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in a specific area, write "None."
08
How many months of full-time experience do you have operating industrial motive equipment similar to equipment operated by Equipment Operator I positions such as skip loaders; skid steers; self-propelled roller compactors; asphalt distributors; motor graders on rough blading work; power sewer rodding machines; hydraulic flushers; motorized grave diggers; dump trucks; medium class wheeled tractors; five-gang mowers; or other equipment of comparable difficulty?
09
Which of the following industrial motive equipment do you have full-time experience operating?
10
Describe full-time experience operating the following industrial motive equipment: a. Skip loaders; b. skid steers; c. self-propelled roller compactors; d. asphalt distributors; e. motor graders on rough blading work; f. power sewer rodding machines; g. hydraulic flushers; h. motorized grave diggers; i. dump trucks; j. medium class wheeled tractors; k. five-gang mowers; l. self-propelled mowers; m. tractors; n. other equipment of comparable difficulty. For each area, specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent on each area, and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in a specific area, write "None."
11
Indicate which areas you have experience in.
12
Describe your experience in the following areas: a. Experience working in a golf maintenance environment; b. experience with turf mowers and other equipment specific to turf maintenance; c. experience operating a skid steer with the ability to operate with different attachments. For each area, specify which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent on each area, and the total length of your experience.
13
Indicate which of the following valid California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) license, endorsement, and/or medical certificate you possess.
Required Question
Employer City of San Diego
Address 1200 3rd Ave., Suite 300, MS 51P
San Diego, California, 92101
Phone (619) 236-6400
(619) 236-6358
Website http://www.sandiego.gov/empopp/