Equipment Operator
Salary
$53,643.20 - $72,259.20 Annually
Location
Santa Ana, CA
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
3526OS-0826-080 (O)
Department
OC Public Works
Opening Date
08/06/2026
Closing Date
10/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
CAREER DESCRIPTION
EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidates qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Equipment Operator positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PST).
The first round of consideration ends Friday, August 21, 2026
The second round of consideration ends Friday, September 11, 2026
The third round of consideration ends Friday, October 2, 2026
OC OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE/OC PUBLIC WORKS
OC Operations and Maintenance (O&M) is a section of OC Public Works (OCPW) whose goal is to serve the citizens of Orange County by providing a safe environment and enhanced quality of life through improvements to and maintenance of public infrastructure. Operations and Maintenance provides a wide range of planning, design, project management, construction, and maintenance services to Orange Countys unincorporated areas, 380 miles of flood control channels, 4 dams, 8 pumping stations, 320 road miles, and other infrastructure. O&M provides public works services for the contracted cities of Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Dana Point, and the Foothill/Eastern and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agencies. O&M also plays a crucial role in responding to the needs of the public in the aftermath of devastating fire and storm events and other general emergencies.
OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through efficient delivery and maintenance of public works infrastructure, planning, and development services. OC Public Works core values are integrity, accountability, service and trust.
OCPW is a unique County department comprised of ten (10) service areas: Administrative Services, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures; OC Construction; OC Development Services; OC Environmental Resources; OC Facilities Design & Construction and CUF; OC Facilities Maintenance & OC Fleet Services; OC Infrastructure Programs; OC Operations & Maintenance.
Click here for more information on OC Public Works.
Click here for more information on the County of Orange.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Equipment Operator is responsible for operating ten-wheel haul trucks and various types of small equipment. The Equipment Operator hauls materials to support the maintenance and repair of activities associated with flood control facilities, channels, parks, beaches, and unincorporated roads in the County of Orange. The Equipment Operator also has supporting roles such as proper installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), traffic control during the storm or fire season, water truck operations for dust control, and wild land fire assistance. In addition, the equipment operator may lead crews of various sizes to accomplish projects; and performs other manual intensive labor duties as required.
The immediate vacancies are within the following area(s):
Equipment Operations Unit - The incumbent will work a 4/10 shift, Monday to Thursday with every Friday off OR Tuesday to Friday with every Monday off.
An employee within this classification may be designated as a "key responder" and as such shall be required to respond to non-normal working hour emergency operational conditions.
LICENSE REQUIREMENT
Possession of a valid California Driver License, Class A, with air brakes, tanker, and combination vehicle endorsements, is required before the date of appointment and must be maintained while employed in this series. Please attach a copy (FRONT & BACK) of license when applying.
In accordance with the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, incumbents will be subject to random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug and alcohol testing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The successful candidate will possess one (1) year or more of experience which demonstrates the ability to operate single unit trucks, wheel and track-laying tractors, rollers and other light equipment safely to accomplish a task and knowledge of single unit trucks, dump trucks, wheel and track laying tractors, rollers and other specialized light equipment. Incumbents will also be expected to perform manual labor duties as assigned.
In addition, the ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:
Technical Expertise
Safety Knowledge
Communication
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here for details on the Equipment Operator classification, including the physical, mental, environmental and working conditions.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.
Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Performance Exam (Weighted 100%)
A performance exam is a test in which applicants demonstrate their knowledge, skills and, ability to performing job related tasks. It is designed to assess how effectively applicants apply their knowledge, skills, and abilities in realistic or simulated scenarios. A panel of job knowledge experts evaluates performance using standardized criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.
Only the most qualified candidates will advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.
Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Based on the Countys needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.
EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Brian Quinlan at brian.quinlan@pw.oc.gov or 714-667-9750.
EEO INFORMATION
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Please note that Extra Help employees are not eligible for the benefits listed.
Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information
01
INSTRUCTIONS: The information you provide on this questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your level of expertise during the recruitment process. Be as specific as possible and include all information requested. If you do not have the experience in an area, please answer "N/A". Statements such as "see application" or "see resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a response. All employers, education, and/or training referenced on this questionnaire must be listed in your application. Do you understand these instructions?
02
Please select the option below that best describes your experience as it relates to the job qualifications.
03
Possession of a valid Class A California Driver License with air brakes, tanker and combination vehicle endorsements and any special endorsement required by the Department of Motor Vehicles, is required by the date of appointment and must be maintained while employed in this series. At the time of the Performance Exam all candidates will be required to show proof of a valid California Driver License Class A with air brakes, tanker and combination vehicle endorsements and any special endorsement required by the Department of Motor Vehicles. If candidates cannot present this at the time of their scheduled performance exam they will not be allowed to perform the exam. Please select the option which best applies to you.
04
Please describe any construction experience you have in a professional setting that relates to this position. In your response, please include what type of construction experience you have and include some of your common daily duties that relate to this position and how often you performed them.
05
Of the following choices, please select the equipment that you have experience using in a professional setting/workplace. (Check all that apply)
06
Please elaborate on your experience operating the equipment listed above. In your response, include the tasks you performed with each piece of equipment, where you gained this experience, and how long you have operated each vehicle.
Required Question
Employer County of Orange
Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
Santa Ana, California, 92701
Phone 714-834-2555
Website https://hrs.oc.gov
| Location | Santa Ana, CA |
| Salary | $53,643.20–$72,259.20 Per Year |