Equipment Operator III - Environmental Services

Salary : $42,286.40 Annually
Location : Panama City, FL
Job Type: Full
- Time
Job Number:
Department: Public Works
Division: Solid Waste
Opening Date: 02/02/2026
Salary: Salary/Hourly wages may be adjusted based upon experience within Step Plan Parameters.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS
Under the guidance and leadership of the Director of Public Works, the Equipment Operator III is an advanced-skilled work in the operations of heavy construction equipment, front loaders, solid waste vehicles, heavy tractors, earth moving equipment and vehicles. Duties include the performance of manual labor tasks in addition to the operations or equipment.
This position is designated as an emergency essential position that requires performance of emergency duties and actions to prepare, repair and recover the City before, during and after any adverse storm events (hurricane, tornado, tropical storm, winter storm, severe thunderstorm, flash flooding etc.) or other conditions (natural or manmade).
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

• Drives and operates a truck/trailer/or boom truck combination vehicle used to collect and haul yard trash and bulk waste from an assigned collection route.
• Operates front loader with accuracy and skill in extremely limited space areas.
• Operates all other related solid waste equipment.
• Performs pre-trip/post-trip inspections for all equipment assigned.
• Performs duties while being frequently exposed to outside weather conditions and to wet and humid conditions.

• Checks equipment for routine servicing needs and maintenance work.
• Cleans solid waste debris off equipment and inside the truck body daily.
• Assist with additional shifts, which may include some weekends.
• Acts as primary backup for other levels of equipment operators.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of the operation, maintenance, adaptability, limitations and safety precautions of equipment.
• Strong desire to operate at the highest level of safety possible, including the ability to troubleshoot and anticipate safer methodology for operation.
• Exceptional driving skills, including the desire and ability to follow all rules of the road and courteous defensive driving tactics.
• Excellent knowledge of traffic regulations and safe driving practices.
• Skill in the care and safe operation of assigned equipment.
• Ability to understand and carry out general written and oral instructions.
• Physical strength and agility sufficient to do strenuous laboring tasks under varying weather conditions, including shoveling, carrying, lifting, etc...
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative, courteous and effective working relationships with other departments, fellow team members, vendors, contractors and the general public.

• Knowledge of hazardous types of waste/materials.
• Ability to safely access equipment while maintaining three points of contact at all times.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
• Possess and maintain a current Florida CDL Class B License with air brakes endorsement.

A comparable amount of training or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Summary:

• Occasionally - Lift/Carry: 50+ lbs., Push/Pull: 25+ lbs., Crawling, Traverse Uneven Terrain, Work at Heights.
• Frequently - Lift/Carry: 10-50 lbs., Push/Pull: 10-25 lbs., Bend, Squat/Kneel, Twist/Turn, Reach Outward, Stand, Climb, Reach Above Shoulder, Climb.
• Consistently - Lift/Carry: 10 lbs. or less, Push/Pull: 10 lbs. or less, Handling/Fine Motor Skills, Sit, Walk, Type/Keyboard, Drive.

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is in a vehicle and outside year-round and with some exposure to all weather conditions.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
DISCLAIMER

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