Heavy Equipment Operator

Position: HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
salary: $45,803.00 - $88,743.00 annually
location : various locations in fulton county, ga
job type: public works
department: public works
opening date: 02/23/2026
closing date: 3/23/2026 12:00 am eastern
pay grade:: 12

unclassified position in the public works department

locations: 11575 maxwell rd., alpharetta, ga

742 cochran rd., college park, ga
minimum qualifications:

high school diploma or ged preferred; three years of experience in the construction, repair, and/or maintenance of public infrastructure or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

specific license or certification required: must possess and maintain a valid georgia class b commercial driver's license; some assignments may require a georgia class a commercial driver's license and/or special endorsements; must obtain and maintain flagging certification within the time frames established by the department.

specific knowledge, skills, or abilities: must be able to demonstrate proficiency in operating track and large, rubber-tired equipment included in this classification. Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

examination:
the examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience, accomplished by analysis of the application. Application must document that the applicant possesses the minimum knowledge, skills, education and experience as listed to be rated as qualified. If selected, an official, accredited college transcript is required, at time of employment, for all degrees/course work used to qualify for this position.

all applications must be completed in full before they are submitted. Please review all applications for accuracy and make all corrections before submittal because errors can result in not meeting the minimum qualifications. Additional information will not be accepted after allocations are received by the department of human resources management.

purpose of classification:

the purpose of this classification is to operate track or rubber-tired construction equipment with specialized functions related to maintenance and construction activities where the operation of complex mechanisms requires the highest degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse, and where work is performed to exacting tolerances. Classification is reserved for those positions where operation of included equipment is the primary function of the job.

essential functions:

the following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

maneuvers heavy equipment and operates complex mechanisms involving digging, moving earth and materials, grading, loading, and performing similar tasks in order to advance projects relating to construction and maintenance of county roads, grounds, property, utilities, rights-of-way, and other infrastructure; equipment is primarily driven and operated on-site, but does require some driving over public roads; maneuvers in and around traffic, crew workers, equipment, utilities, and other obstacles;

obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines; monitors immediate environment and work area to ensure the safety of operator, other workers, the equipment, and the public.

operates excavator, track hoe, and backhoe to perform skilled digging and trenching for maintenance, upkeep, and construction projects for public utilities and other infrastructure, where exacting tolerances and specification are required; controls placement of equipment and determines optimum approach to each digging scenario in order to minimize destruction of property and avoid electric, water, sewer, and other public utility lines.

operates a track or rubber-tired loader with large volume and weight capacities to load materials into trucks or move them over short distances; positions equipment and controls height, angle, and position of scoop for optimum delivery of payload; controls amount and weight of materials being lifted to avoid exceeding equipment capacity.

operates motor-grader, scraper, and excavator with blade attachment to set gradients for large construction and maintenance projects such as roads, landscaping, embankments, and other projects requiring exacting specifications related to slope, angle, and pitch; determines appropriate settings and adjusts blades for height, angle, and pitch to achieve desired outcome; maneuvers equipment and operates mechanisms to skillfully set gradient, smooth surfaces, and spread materials.

operates bulldozer, scraper, and compactor to move earth, gravel, sand, and other materials for large construction and maintenance…