Equipment Operator

Summary

King county Road Services Division is looking for skilled and safety-conscious Equipment Operators to join our dynamic team. This position is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of a variety of heavy equipment, including backhoes, graders, track hoes, dozers, and slope mowers, as well as handling graders over ten tons and front-end loaders with bucket capacities up to four yards. The ideal candidates will have experience conducting daily vehicle inspections and performing minor preventative maintenance. Flexibility is essential, as duties may involve responding to emergencies, addressing equipment breakdowns, and working on special projects. If you're a dependable team player committed to safety and are looking to make a meaningful impact in our community, we encourage you to apply.

Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our commitment to "True North" values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

The King County Road Services Division designs, builds, operates, and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County. The Division is committed to ensuring the county's transportation system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel. To learn more about the Road Services Division, visit us at: About the Road Services Division - King County, Washington

Job Duties

Applying equity, racial, and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Safely operate various heavy machinery/equipment, such as: front-end loaders, backhoe, track hoe, grader, road brooms, slope mowers, roller, and dozers.

• Support maintenance/construction activities by using heavy equipment in the upkeep and development of roads, right-of-way, and other public facilities.

• Inspect assigned vehicles and perform minor preventative maintenance and associated manual tasks to correct safety problems as necessary.

• Determine safe and efficient methods for operation of all County equipment.

• Collaborate with crews to ensure safety and maintain focus on assigned tasks.

• Ensure the safety of crews and the public by providing appropriate traffic control measures on streets and highways, including flagging, and placing signs, cones and barricades as needed.

• Responds to emergency situations such as floods, snow/ice/wind storms, etc.

• Perform a variety of manual tasks requiring the use of hand tools and handheld power tools as needed.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with the public, coworkers, and emergency personnel.

• Provide respectful, professional communication when engaging with the public.

• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Experience safely operating heavy equipment, including but not limited to front-end loaders, backhoes, track hoes, graders, road brooms, slope mowers, rollers, and dozers.
• Skill in operating equipment in high-density traffic under adverse weather conditions.
• Knowledge of traffic control procedures and equipment, including flagging techniques and proper placement of signs, cones, and barricades to ensure public and crew safety.
• Ability to work collaboratively with crews, maintaining a focus on task completion and workplace safety.
• Basic mechanical skills with the ability to inspect, troubleshoot, and perform minor preventive maintenance on assigned vehicles and equipment.
• Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, plans, specifications, and road maps.
• Proficiency in fundamental math skills.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, prioritize tasks, and work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and proficiency in the proper use, and care of a variety of tools and equipment.
• Demonstrates behaviors that include fairness, respect, and inclusiveness.
• Effectively serve on a team that contributes to a work environment that embraces and encourages diversity in its workforce and where differences are valued.
• Defensive driving skills with a strong focus on safety, hazard anticipation, and accident prevention.
• Ability in performing demanding demanding tasks in dynamic high pressure environments.
• Ability to maintain predictable and reliable attendance.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: (add here in bulleted format if applicable)

• Experience related to construction and maintenance projects, including grading, drainage and right-of-way development.
• Paving experience.

NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS:

• Successfully pass a pre-employment physical.
• Submit to drug testing and test negative for presence of controlled substances; sign a Consent Form for release of Information for each employer for the past three (3) years; and successfully pass a background check for Alcohol and Controlled Substances testing, and a CDL background information check.
• Have a valid Washington State Class A or B with Air Brakes Commercial Driver's License and a current Medical certification prior to the practical exam date.

SAFETY SENSITIVE PSOITION:

• This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for these positions are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and subsequent to commencement of employment, will be subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal DOT alcohol and controlled substance testing program protocols.

WORK LOCATIONS:

• Multiple sites across King County, WA. The primary operations site is based in Renton, WA., with outlying facilities located in: Black Diamond, Vashon, Skykomish, Fall City, and Redmond.
• We are currently recruiting for the following locations: Redmond, WA and Fall City, WA. This recruitment may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months.

Supplemental Information

PRACTICAL/TEST/INTERVIEWS ALL IN ONE DAY

Those candidates who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in an in-person practical exam and interview. Only those who pass the practical assessment will move forward to the interview. The practical and interview are anticipated to take place on the same day the week of August 4, 2025.

WHO MAY APPLY:

This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

A full and complete King County application is required. You may also provide a resume and cover letter, summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.

Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The work schedule will consist of four, ten-hour days in the spring/summer, Monday - Thursday, 6:00 am - 4:30 pm, and five eight-hour days in the fall/winter, Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm. This position is Non-Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval.

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS:

First Responder - Employees who, in the early stages of an incident, are responsible for protecting and preserving life, property, evidence, the environment, and restoring order.

UNION MEMBERSHIP:

This position is represented by LOCAL 302.

To learn more about the Road Services Division, Permitting or Director's Office, please visit us at:

Road Services Division:

Permitting:

Director's Office:

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Cassandra Montgomery

Human Resource Analyst, Senior

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Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01

Do you have experience safely operating heavy equipment, including but not limited to front-end loaders, backhoes, track hoes, graders, mobile sweepers, slope mowers, rollers, and dozers.

• Yes
• No

02

Please select which best applies to you. Please note: (Answers to this question must be supported in your application materials).

• I have more than 3 years experience, safely operating heavy equipment, such as: (front-end loaders, backhoes, track hoes, graders, mobile sweepers, slope mowers, rollers and dozers).
• I have 2 years but less than 3 years experience safely operating heavy equipment, such as: (front-end loaders, backhoes, track hoes, graders, mobile sweepers, slope mowers, rollers and dozers).
• I have at least 1 year experience safely operating heavy equipment, such as: (front-end loaders, backhoes, track hoes, graders, mobile sweepers, slope mowers, rollers and dozers).
• I have less than 1 year experience safely operating heavy equipment, such as: (front-end loaders, backhoes, track hoes, graders, mobile sweepers, slope mowers, rollers and dozers).
• I do not have any direct experience safely operating heavy equipment, such as: (front-end loaders, backhoes, track hoes, graders, mobile sweepers, slope mowers, rollers and dozers).

03

Indicate where you gained the experience referenced in question 2, and provide examples of the kinds of work you performed operating heavy equipment. If you do not have any direct experience, please state "N/A".

04

Please select all that apply:

• I have a valid Washington State Class B Commercial Driver's License.
• I have a valid Washington State Class A Commercial Driver's License.
• I am not in possession of a valid Washington State Commercial Driver's, Class A or B.

05

Do you have experience related to construction and maintenance projects, including grading, drainage and right-of-way development?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
• No.

07

If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff.

Required Question

Employer King County

Address King Street Center

201 South Jackson Street

Seattle, Washington, 98104

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