Equipment Operator-Road-25603501R Job at San Diego County Public Defender’s Offi

Excellent Career Opportunity County of San Diego - Department of Public Works

Equipment Operator – Practical Exams and Interviews Will Be Conducted on an Ongoing Basis.

Future Salary Increases

• June 2026 – 5.33% increase to base pay (3.0% Across‑Board + 2.33% Market Adjustment)
• June 2027 – 5.23% increase to base pay (2.90% Across‑Board + 2.33% Market Adjustment)

Additional Pay Incentives and Premiums

• $1,250 Recruitment Bonus
• Additional $1,250 Bonus after successful completion of the probation period. This hard‑to‑recruit position qualifies for the Employee Referral Reward Program. If a current County of San Diego employee referred you to apply for this position, please indicate the employee’s name on your application.
• Employees may receive a fifty‑cent ($0.50) per hour premium while tree trimming, and a twenty‑five cents ($0.25) per hour premium while operating a motor sweeper.

Job Summary / Responsibilities

The Department of Public Works (DPW) plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing our communities’ infrastructure. We are currently seeking a skilled Equipment Operator to help maintain County storm drains, roadways, and rights‑of‑way to permit safe access and travel by motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. This operator will also operate road repair and maintenance equipment and perform manual labor duties using hand tools and hand work. The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic and a commitment to safety.

The DPW has vacancies in all geographical areas of the County and encourages applicants who live or wish to work in rural areas such as Campo, Julian, Fallbrook, and Valley Center. Please be sure to check the boxes for all work locations you are willing to accept when completing the application.

Click Equipment Operator to review the complete job description including minimum qualifications, examples of duties, essential functions, etc.

Hiring Process and Timeline

• Job Offer and Background Process begins after in‑person practical examination and interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
• Pre‑employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Based on successful completion of medical screening or another mutually agreed date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Minimum Qualifications

• A valid California Class B driver’s license with tank and air brake endorsements and a current medical card is required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Two (2) years of experience in the construction or repair of roadways which included the operation of motorized equipment such as motor‑graders, chippers, forklifts, skid‑steer loaders, striping equipment, backhoes, loaders, and dump trucks of various sizes and capacities.
• One (1) year of full‑time experience as a Road Maintenance Worker with the County of San Diego.

Required Licenses, Certifications or Registrations

A valid California Class B driver’s license with tank and air brake endorsements is required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Some positions require possession of a California Class A driver’s license. Employees in this class are subject to random drug testing per DOT guidelines.

A current medical certificate is required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

Practical Exam

The Practical Exam is designed to assess applicants’ skills in using the following equipment:

• Five‑yard dump truck
• Loader
• Shovels and hand tools
• Fiber Roll
• One of the three following pieces of equipment based on applicant preference: Backhoe, Motorgrader, or Skidsteer.

In addition, the practical exam is designed to identify if the candidate possesses a valid California Class B (or higher) driver’s license with tank and air brake endorsements. If you are invited to the practical exam, you must bring your license with you and present it upon request. Persons not possessing a California Class B license or higher with tank and air brake endorsements at the time of the practical exam will not be allowed to participate in the exam and will not continue.

Evaluation and Background Process

As part of the County of San Diego’s pre‑employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre‑employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional background investigations may be conducted based on job‑related activities. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six‑month employment list based on scores from the evaluation of information provided on the employment and supplemental applications. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case‑by‑case basis. The County of San Diego is committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We provide preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers. Military Skills Translator is available for assistance translating military experience into civilian experience.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.