Caltrans is hiring: CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II in Santa Cruz

CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II – Caltrans

Be among the first 25 applicants. This range is provided by Caltrans. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience – talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free workplace. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Position Details

• Job Code: JC-501726
• Position #: 905-620-6286-918
• Working Title: Caltrans Equipment Operator II
• Classification: CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II
• Base Pay Range: $4,883.00 – $6,127.00
• # of Positions: Multiple
• Work Location: Santa Cruz County
• Telework: In Office
• Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
• Facility: California Department of Transportation
• Department Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.
• Department Vision: A thriving and connected California.
• Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov
• Director's EEO Policy: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
• Director's EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Job Description and Duties

Under the supervision of a Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor the Equipment Operator II is responsible for operating and servicing highway maintenance, landscape or construction equipment (identified as category A & B by Caltrans) at least 50% or more of the time. Incumbent may be assigned to perform non-equipment operation duties as part of their normal assignments. Operate Class I and Class II equipment used by the assigned unit. When not operating the specified equipment, accomplish tasks normally performed by the assigned unit. Such tasks may include, but are not limited to: paving, shoulder grading, mowing, ditch cleaning, dig outs, pavement patching, repair or replacement of guide markers, signs, fence, guardrail, clean culverts, traffic control, litter pick up, maintenance of roadside rests, any other duties that would normally be assigned to a Highway Maintenance Worker or Landscape Maintenance Worker.

Position is located in Santa Cruz and may be placed on the Santa Cruz North MTCE Crew or the Santa Cruz South MTCE Crew. Translation Services available upon request. PARF# 05-6-769 / JC-501726. Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Caltrans Equipment Operator II exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title. Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job. https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G. https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI. Apply today to join our team! We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool! The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

• The position requires a valid California Drivers License (CDL). Provide CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• The position requires a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position requires a valid unrestricted Class A commercial driver’s license, with Tank Vehicle (N) endorsement.

This position is subject to the Post & Bid process. Applications from a certification list, transfer, change-in-class, reinstatement, re-employment, and/or training and development assignment will be accepted for this position but may not be considered unless the Post & Bid process does not result in a hire. Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Final Filing Date: 12/28/2025.

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

To submit application packages electronically, use CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. If choosing a hard copy, submit to:
Department of Transportation, N/A, Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact, Certification Services MS-90, P O Box 168036, Sacramento, CA 95816-8036.

Drop off packages at:
Department of Transportation, Drop-Off Address, Caltrans DHR Contact, Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS, 1727 30th Street, MS 90, Sacramento, CA 95816
(Closed on weekends and State holidays, 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM).