Park Heavy Equipment Operator

Park Heavy Equipment Operator

Salary

$90,600.64 - $109,489.12 Annually

Location

Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-T13-A

Department

Parks & Recreation

Opening Date

09/15/2026

Closing Date

10/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

03

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Under general supervision, to operate a variety of heavy and complex equipment used in the construction, maintenance, and repair of County Parks and Recreation facilities and open space areas.

Typical Tasks

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Operates a variety of heavy equipment, including but not limited to bulldozers, tractors, graders, heavy trucks, loaders, water trucks, compactors, backhoes, and excavators to construct, enhance, restore, maintain, and repair park facilities and open space areas, including but not limited to firebreaks, trails, roads, park lawns and grounds, various habitats, and culverts over a large geographic area;

• Operates equipment for cleanup and removal of hazards, including but not limited to tree stumps, dead trees, landslides, flood debris, and storm damage;

• Operates heavy transport trucks, dump trucks, and semitrailers to transport equipment and materials to and from job sites;

• Assists in the overhaul and repair of gasoline, diesel, electric, and alternative fuel powered equipment; auxiliary engines, pumps, mowers, hydraulic rams, and other related equipment;

• Assists in the construction and repair of Park facilities, features, and equipment, including fences, gates, signs, and other non-structural work, which may include acetylene, tungsten inert gas (TIG), metal inert gas (MIG), and/or electric welding, and plasma cutting;

• Evaluates project sites, develops materials lists, identifies equipment needs, calculates measurements, estimates costs, reads and interprets technical specifications and plans, and recommends and implements changes for projects requiring the use of heavy equipment;

• Inspects job sites for potential hazards and determines necessary precautions for the safe operation of equipment;

• Performs minor repairs and routine maintenance on heavy equipment;

• Maintains paper and electronic records of work performed and equipment used;

• Operates equipment for park wildland fire prevention practices, including prescribed burns and post-fire cleanup operations;

• Acts as the Subject Matter Expert, and project authority to park personnel, temporary employees, and volunteers on assigned tasks and projects utilizing heavy and/or sophisticated equipment;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to a high school diploma;

and

Two (2) years of experience operating heavy equipment, which included the transportation of heavy equipment requiring a Class A Commercial Driver's License.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a Class A Commercial Driver's License with no restrictions, a Tanker Endorsement, and any other licenses or endorsements required to operate the equipment.
• Possession and maintenance of a Forklift Operator's Certification within six (6) months of appointment.
• May be required to complete basic wildland fire training.
• May be required to obtain an American Welding Society (AWS) Welder Certification or equivalent.
• Must successfully complete LiveScan background investigation and maintain clearance throughout the term of employment.
• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California drivers license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers, including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Methods, capabilities, limitations, and safety practices associated with the operation and transportation of heavy equipment;
• Welding methods, equipment, and materials;
• Common computer systems and applications;
• Principles of effectively leading a work crew.

Ability to:

• Safely and effectively operate and maintain heavy equipment;
• Lead personnel in equipment operation work;
• Make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment;
• Follow oral and written directions in English;
• Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and other agencies;
• Work collaboratively with those contacted in the course of work on a variety of cross-functional departmental initiatives in order to achieve department goals;
• Utilize specialized departmental computer programs, including maintenance and asset management software and timekeeping programs.

Physical Requirements

• Work under adverse environmental conditions, such as uneven terrain, dust, noise, vibration, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, cramped quarters, and inadequate lighting with use of task-appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, work overhead, and grasp;
• Lift and carry materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds;
• Work outside in variable temperatures and weather conditions;
• Must conform to departmental uniform standards.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more here.

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits

The County offers robust retirement plans including a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the CalPERS pension plan. In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account

The Health Flexible Spending Account (HFSA) empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the Employee Childcare Assistance Plan, an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D

The County offers life and disability benefits including Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Long-Term Disability insurance, California State Disability Insurance, and Integration with Leave. These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness

The Employee Wellness Program offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement

A generous Learning and Employee Development program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.

01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete.

Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:

a) Employer name(s)

b) Job title(s)

c) Start/end dates of employment

d) Total hours worked per week

e) Description of task(s) performed

Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03

This position requires possession of a Class A Commercial Drivers license with no restrictions, a Tanker Endorsement and any other licenses or endorsements required to operate the equipment assigned to the position upon appointment. Do you possess a valid Class A California Drivers License with a Tanker Endorsement and understand the requirement to obtain any other licenses or endorsements required to operate assigned equipment?

• Yes
• No

04

If you selected "yes" to the question above, list your California Drivers License number, issuing agency, type (A, B, C), any endorsements, and the expiration date. If not applicable, type "N/A".

05

In addition to the possession of a valid California Drivers License, this position requires the ability to qualify for and maintain a County Drivers Permit. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

06

How many years of experience do you possess operating heavy equipment such as bulldozers, tractors, graders, backhoes, excavators, or any other related heavy equipment?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five years or more

07

Describe your experience operating heavy equipment such as bulldozers, tractors, graders, backhoes, excavators, or any other related heavy equipment.

Please be specific in your response and include job title(s), employer name(s), dates of employment, the number of hours worked per week. If you no experience, please type "N/A".

08

How many years of experience do you possess transporting materials and heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, tractors, graders, backhoes, excavators, or other related heavy equipment, requiring a Class A Commercial Drivers License?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five year
• Five years or more

09

Describe your experience with transporting materials and heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, tractors, graders, backhoes, excavators, or other related heavy equipment, that required a Class A Commercial Drivers License.

Please be specific in your response and include job title(s), employer name(s), dates of employment, and number of hours worked per week. If no experience, please type n/a.

10

How many years of experience do you have being a lead worker on crews performing maintenance and/or construction work utilizing heavy or sophisticated equipment?

• No Experience
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five years or more

11

Describe your experience being a lead worker on crews performing maintenance and/or construction utilizing heavy or sophisticated equipment.

Please be specific in your response and include job title(s), employer name(s), dates of employment, and number of hours worked per week. If no experience, please type n/a.

12

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

13

How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.

Required Question

Employer County of Santa Clara

Address 70 W. Hedding Street

8th Floor, East Wing

San Jose, California, 95110

Phone (408) 299-6816

Website http://www.sccjobs.org/