Heavy Equipment Operator (WGW)

Heavy Equipment Operator (WGW)

Salary

$116,147.20 - $142,043.20 Annually

Location

Municipal Services Center, 3201 East Bayshore, Palo Alto, CA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

202601525

Department

Utilities Department

Opening Date

10/01/2026

Closing Date

10/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The Position

Palo Alto is the only city in California that offers a full range of utility services to its citizens and businesses. With over 100 years of successful public utility operations, Palo Alto continues its tradition of delivering safe services, local decision-making on policies, utility rate-setting, environmental programs, and tailored solutions for the community. The Heavy Equipment Operator position is in the Water Gas and Wastewater Operations (WGW Operations) Division, which is part of the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department. Water Gas Wastewater Operations is responsible for the maintenance, installation, and demolition of underground water, gas, and wastewater utilities. Learn more about the Citys Utilities Department, click here.

The ideal candidate will be possess the following skills/attributes:

• Extensive experience using a backhoe
• Safety-conscious
• Detail-oriented
• Experience managing heavy equipment
• Excels in operating machinery
• Reliable team player
• Capable of handling the physical demands of construction work in various conditions.

Schedule:

• 9/80 schedule, Monday - Thursday 6:30 am - 4:00 pm and Fridays 6:30 am- 3:00 pm with every other Friday off.
• This role requires regular in-person attendance at our Municipal Service Center.

To learn more about the SEIU compensation plan, click here!

Essential Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Works with Utilities Installer/Repairer Lead or Utilities Installer/ Repairer operating equipment used during installation, maintenance, and repair of the water, gas, and wastewater system and the installation of underground piping system
• Operates backhoe to excavate trenches to install, maintain, and repair Citys utility system
• Operates a front-end loader to backfill trenches and load trucks
• Complies with safety standards and practices
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures in working with Heavy Equipment

To review the full job description, click here.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:

• Completion of High School, GED, or equivalent

and

• One year of experience operating type(s) of heavy equipment used in area of assignment

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Class A commercial drivers permit with appropriate endorsements required within sixty days of appointment with the ability to obtain a license within six months.
• Ability to pass a drug test as mandated by the Department of Transportation.

Supplemental Information

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).

The Selection Process

• Recruitment status notifications will be sent via email or text (please enroll in text alerts when applying).
• The screening process for this position will include a Skills (hands-on) Assessment using a CAT backhoe and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
• More than one position may be filled through this posting.
• An eligible list may be established from this recruitment and may be used to fill future vacancies for up to six (6) months, or until the list has been exhausted.

Recruitment Timeline (All dates subject to change):

First Application Review: October 12th

Skills Assessment: Week of November 2nd

Final Interview: Week of November 16th

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGovs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

See our Benefits at a Glance Booklet for more details.

Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.

01

Describe your experience operating a backhoe. Include the types of excavation, trenching, or loading work you have performed.

02

How many years have you operated heavy equipment such as backhoes, excavators, or horizontal directional drills (trenchless underground boring method)? List the equipment and approximate hours or years of experience for each.

03

Describe your experience excavating near underground utilities (water, sewer, gas, electric, communication, fiber, etc.).

04

Do you currently possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL)? If yes, please indicate the class (A or B) and list any endorsements you hold such as Air Brakes, Tanker, Doubles/Triples, or HazMat.

05

Do you currently possess a High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Palo Alto

Address 250 Hamilton Ave

Palo Alto, California, 94301

Phone (650) 329-2376

Website https://www.paloalto.gov/Home