Equipment Operator Trainee

Job Posting

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy:

• Job Posting closes: August 5, 2025

Kansas Department of Transportation

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) delivers transportation that keeps Kansas moving forward. Our employees are our most valuable resource. We depend on our employees and business partners to get the job done. KDOT strives to provide a work environment that motivates people and encourages them to be productive. KDOT is a great place to work, so come be part of our team!

Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9. KDOT does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here. For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here.

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
• Search Keywords: Manhattan, Westmoreland, Alma, Council Grove, Marion, Abilene, Salina, Minneapolis, Clay Center, Junction City

Compensation:

With Class A CDL: Equipment Operator

• Base Annual Salary: $43,950.40
• Base Hourly Pay: $21.13

Without Class A CDL: Equipment Operator Trainee

• Base Annual Salary: $40,872.00
• Base Hourly Pay: $19.65

Employment Benefits:

• Work-Life Balance Programs:

• Paid Leave: Vacation, Holidays, Parental, Military, Sick, Funeral and Jury Duty

• Employee Assistance Program

• For help managing daily life at no cost to you

• Infant at Work Program

• Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance

• First-Day Coverage:

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vison Insurance

• Tax Advantage Accounts: HSA, HRA, FSA with qualifying plans

• Life Insurance:

• Employer paid basic group life

• Optional group life insurance available at a reasonable cost.

• Retirement:

• KPERS and Deferred Compensation

• Other Benefits:

• Tuition reimbursement

• Paid on-the-job training programs.

• Personal and Professional Development Opportunities

• Employee discounts with the STAR Program

• And more!

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Position Summary:

The Equipment Operator position(s) is located in Junction City, Kansas. These positions require a Class A CDL with Air Brake option and Tanker Endorsement at the time of hire. If you do not currently have a Class A CDL but are still interested in employment with the Kansas Department of Transportation, you may still qualify for our Equipment Operator Trainee program which is a paid position that provides employees with on-the-job training while you work towards obtaining a CDL. You may apply through this job ad for either Equipment Operator or Equipment Operator Trainee roles.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Perform manual labor associated with maintenance activities, including the operation of miscellaneous equipment such as chain saws, weed eaters, pumps, compressors, jackhammers, generators, power tools, and various hand tools.
• Set up and remove temporary traffic control and serve as flag person for maintenance work zones.
• Maintain highways and facilities through activities such as repairs, resurfacing, mowing, and snow and ice control.
• Operate dump trucks, small and medium-size loaders, mowers, tractors, rollers, and power brooms to perform various maintenance tasks. Operate a loader or truck-mounted plow and spreader in snow and ice control operations.
• On-the-job training is provided.

View the full position description

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver's License at time of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Class A Commercial Driver's License with Air Brake option and Tanker Endorsement at time of appointment.

Post-Offer/Pre-employment Requirements:

• A CDL must be obtained within 90 days of hire and maintained. KDOT provides CDL training at no cost to the employee.
• This position is subject to pre-employment physical capacity testing. The selected candidate will be required to pass the screening as a condition of employment.
• This CDL position is subject to drug and alcohol testing under the authority of the US Department of Transportation. The selected candidate will be required to pass a DOT pre-employment/pre-duty drug test as a condition of employment in this position. (This position will also require you to participate in random testing, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing.)
• Any Commercial Driver who has received a Confirmed Positive Result or the Equivalent and has not successfully completed all Rehabilitation Program requirements and follow-up testing requirements is not eligible for this position. (Per SOM 2.1.10).
• Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. Each applicant (even non-residents) who is selected for a State of Kansas job vacancy must apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) website at www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/Default.aspx .

If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact KDOR at ... or by email at ...

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Crystal Reeves
• Email: ...
• Phone: ...

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.

• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers -> "My Account Information" page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and submit when it is complete.

• Manage your drafted and submitted applications on the Careers -> "My Job Applications" page.

• Check your email and the "My Job Notifications" page for written communications from the Recruiter.

• Email - sent to the Preferred email on the "My Account Information" page.

• Notifications - view the Careers -> "My Job Notifications" page.

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How to Apply for a Job - Instructions" and "How to Search for a Job - Instructions"

Optional Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• Transcripts (if substituting education)
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume (or choose existing if you have one)
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents"

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability, or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes:

Required documents uploaded by:

Agency Information:

About the Position

Who can apply:

Classified/Unclassified Service:

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Regular/Temporary:

Work Schedule:

Eligible to Receive Benefits:

Veterans' Preference Eligible:

Search Keywords:

Compensation: $

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Qualifications

• Education:

Licensing & Certification:

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

Recruiter Contact Information

Name:

Email:

Phone:

Mailing Address:

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email - sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications - view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How to Apply for a Job - Instructions" and "How to Search for a Job - Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

Transcripts

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

*

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents"

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at .... Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to ..., scanned and emailed to ..., or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson, Rm 401

Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.