Equipment Operator, Principal - Roadway

Equipment Operator, Principal - Roadway

Salary

$50,356.80 - $72,404.80 Annually

Location

Roadway, 3506 N. Hopkins Road, VA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

29M00000456

Department

Public Works

Division

Roadway

Opening Date

10/21/2026

Closing Date

11/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y? Respect. Equity. Accountability. Diversity…YOU!!!

This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

Description

The maximum hiring compensation for this position is to not exceed an hourly rate of $31.25/hour

The City of Richmond Department of Public Works is seeking several highly qualified candidates to fill the position of Equipment Operator, Principal in the Roadway Maintenance Division. The incumbent is responsible for performing various tasks using appropriate heavy equipment.

Incumbents may operate the majority of equipment assigned to the Equipment Operator and Equipment Operator, Senior classifications. Incumbents routinely operate specialized equipment such as tractor-trailers, oil distributors, flushers truck/waste tankers, dump trucks, bucket trucks, chippers, vactors, motor grader, backhoe, snow removal equipment, street sweepers, complex hydraulics, small pavers, hole augers, concrete trucks, street sweepers, bulldozers, power shovels, draglines; pay loaders, backhoes, or small and large cranes. Incumbents perform required service maintenance and repairs; provide leadership to and training of assigned crew members; conduct tests for the detection of faults, breaks, or leaks, such as chlorine, gas, sewage or water; follow assigned routes; load, transport, and deliver refuse, debris, vegetation, sludge, earth, or broken pavement; determine amount and type of materials and equipment needed for assignment; install structures, equipment, or parts; and participate in snow and ice removal.

As assigned, incumbents may serve as lead workers, assigning work and monitoring work completion.

Duties include but are not limited to

• Operating a variety of trucks to include dump trucks with trailer, tandem dump trucks, tractor-trailers, oil distributor, payloader, flusher truck/waster tanker, small paver, backhoe, rubber tire roller, service truck, hole auger and pole truck, bucket truck, concrete truck, chipper spreader, vactor, snow removal equipment, street sweeper and complex hydraulics, small cranes, backhoe, and other equipment as required by manager or Division needs;
• Attending training and development sessions required for advancement or promotion;
• Operating specialized equipment, machinery or vehicles, such as waste collection rear loader vehicles, yard waste container vehicles, knuckle-arm boom vehicles and other waste collection equipment assigned to unit, division, or department;
• Following assigned route, understanding and reading street maps, removing debris, litter, loads material into trucks and operating equipment that supports snow removal operations, when needed;
• Providing the required service maintenance and needed repairs, comprehensive repair records of the equipment and other duties assigned by manager;
• Loading, transporting, and delivering refuse; establishing safe work zones by erecting barricades and signs, when needed; and directing traffic;
• Driving monitors, repairing or reporting vehicles that may have damage, faults, breaks, or leaks such as hydraulic fluids, gas, or water, in existing equipment
• Providing leadership, training and the development of crew members assigned;
• Providing a team environment at all times;
• Removing debris, vegetation, sludge, earth, or broken pavement and loads trucks for transport; locates and exposes underground structures or pipelines; may prepare or restore work site;
• Loading, transporting, and unloading supplies and equipment;
• Transporting co-workers to and from work sites; establishes safe work zones by erecting barricades and signs;
• Maintaining equipment, machinery, or vehicles in good working order; observing established protocols and procedures for safe operation and storage or equipment and machinery; performing routine maintenance; reporting damaged or unsafe equipment to supervisor;
• Determining amount and type of materials, equipment and/or tools necessary to complete tasks;
• Assigning work, providing guidance, and instructing others as s lead worker;
• Attending training and development needed to prepare for the next level or promotion opportunity;
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

City of Richmond Department of Public Works employees who perform duties in this class are considered essential employees and may be required to work during times of emergencies, natural disasters, and inclement weather.

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED;
• Two years of experience at the Equipment Operator, Senior level;
• Training in equipment used at this level of assignment;
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

PREFERRED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proficiency in the operation of a motor grader, front end loader and/or backhoe;
• Experience providing supervision of maintenance tasks as a team lead, manager, or supervisor is preferred.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid Drivers License with a satisfactory driving record
• A valid Commonwealth of Virginia Drivers License within 30 days of hire
• A valid Commonwealth of Virginia Commercial Drivers License with proper endorsements in accordance with Division of Motor Vehicle regulations

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

TYPICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: These are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

• Complex heavy equipment and vehicles;
• Hydraulics;
• Safety rules regarding the operation of various equipment and tools;
• Basic math;
• Usage of various tools and equipment;
• Traffic safety.

Skills (some combination of the following):

• Generating, completing, and distributing reports and other forms;
• Oral and written communication;
• Problem solving;
• Customer Service;
• Map reading;
• Preparing and restoring a work site;
• Paying attention to detail when working in an environment with electrical, power lines, water, and gas lines.

Abilities (some combination of the following):

• Organization;
• Time management;
• Operating equipment in the Equipment Operator and Equipment Operator, Senior classifications, as well as operating equipment and vehicles mentioned above.

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly finger and see; frequently talk and hear; and occasionally balance, stoop, crouch, stand, pull, grasp, and feel. The working conditions may include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Veronica Kenner, by email at HR-ADA@rva.gov.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The City of Richmond Values Veterans. We are an official V3 Certified Company.

The City of Richmond is a proud partner with the US Army Partnership for Your Success PaYS Program.

With over 4,000 employees, the City of Richmond is an "Employer of Choice" among cities throughout the nation. The City strives to hire and retain employees who bring dedication and talent to the workforce. Offering a competitive, cost effective, and quality benefits package is one element of an "Employer of Choice".

The City offers a full range of benefit programs from initial hire through retirement. Please visit our Web site for details.

01

10-point compensable veteran. You must have an existing compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. Other 10-point veteran include disabled veteran or a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wound or injuries received in action, veterans widow or widower who has not remarried, wife or husband of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, widowed, divorced or separated mother of an ex-service son or daughter who died in action, or who is totally and permanently disabled. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

02

5-point veterans must have been discharged under honorable conditions and had one of the following: Active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a war, or during the period 4/28/52-7/1/55 or active duty for more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 2/1/55 and 10/14/76 or active duty during the Gulf War sometime between 8/2/90 - 1/2/92 or active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or active duty for which more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 9/11/2001 and ending on the date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or by the law as the last date of operation Iraqi Freedom. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

03

Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree Degree
• Masters Degree
• None of the above

04

Employees in this job classification are designated ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL and must be available to report to work during disasters, inclement weather, and other declared emergencies. Are you available and willing to work under these conditions?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have a current and valid Commonwealth of Virginia Commercial Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

06

If yes, please indicate which level and expiration date. Otherwise, indicate "N/A" in the space provided.

07

Indicate the type(s) of equipment in which you have at least two (2) years of experience. Select all that apply.

• Dump truck
• Knuckle boom truck
• Edging tool
• Sprayer
• Blower
• Light tractor
• Loader
• Slope lawn mower
• Snow plow
• Spreader
• Chain saw
• Motor Grader
• Backhoe
• None of the above

08

Which best describes your years of professional experience performing maintenance tasks?

• Less than 2 years of experience
• 2 to 4 years of experience
• 4 to 6 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

09

Which best describes your years providing supervision of maintenance tasks as a team lead, manager, or supervisor?

• Less than 2 years of experience
• 2 to 4 years of experience
• 4 to 6 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

10

Indicate the type(s) of Microsoft Office applications in which you have at least two (2) years of experience. Select all that apply.

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Excel
• None of the above

11

Explain why you are the best candidate for this position.

Required Question

Employer City of Richmond

Address 900 East Broad Street

Suite

Richmond, Virginia, 23219

Phone (804) 646-5660

804-646-5660

Website https://www.rva.gov/