Heavy Equipment Operator (0131)

Southwest Florida Water Management District · Tampa, FL · 6 days ago

On-siteManagement$17.19–$21.91/hrFull-time

About the role

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida across approximately 10,000 square miles spanning 16 counties. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve water resources, manage water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions.

This position offers a unique opportunity to support our Field Operations Section through essential maintenance and stewardship of District lands. You will contribute to the care of recreation sites, well sites, fences, buildings, and other key assets while helping ensure the long-term functionality and resilience of our natural systems. A key responsibility is coordinating and performing maintenance activities for the Four River Basins projects, including the Tampa Bypass Canal and Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal. The role also provides maintenance and construction support for conservation lands in the South Region, including small-scale FDOT mitigation sites, upland and wetland restoration efforts, and Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) restoration projects.

Responsibilities

Mows and performs general maintenance of canals and waterways utilizing tractors, batwing mowers, front end loaders, bulldozers, and other types of heavy equipment.
Mows and trims around fence lines, gates, and culverts utilizing zero turn mowers, line trimmers, equipment trailers and pickup trucks.
Sprays herbicide to maintain fence lines, gates, riprap embankments, and culverts.
Operates chainsaws and other handheld equipment as required.
Picks up and disposes of trash and debris.
Operates tractor-trailers, dump trucks, heavy duty trucks, and trailers to transport heavy equipment, rock, dirt and construction materials to job sites.
Maintains District conservation lands utilizing harrow discs, bush hog mowers, bulldozers, and other heavy equipment to maintain roads, firebreaks, creeks, and natural systems.
Participates in prescribed burning and wildfire suppression activities.
Performs routine maintenance and makes minor repairs to the equipment operated.
Operates, maintains and transports heavy equipment; oversees and executes projects on District lands.
Completes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers canal inspections and maintenance, road grading, culvert installation and low water crossings.
Operates forestry equipment for various tasks including prescribed burning, disking and chopping underbrush.
Participates in all aspects of the District's emergency operations during storm events, wildfires and other declared emergencies.
Operates loaders, dozers, excavators, tractors, transports, graders, skidders, boom mower, dump trucks, light and heavy vehicles, back-hoe, skid steer, gooseneck trailers, and chainsaws.
Enters data for timecards, work orders, vehicle/fuel logs, reports, e-mails, and District Cyber training classes.
Responds to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring response in support of District designated events.

Working conditions

Physical and visual acuity requirements

Heavy Work
Vehicle operation
Climbing, Balancing, Stooping, Kneeling, Crouching, Crawling
Reaching, Standing, Pushing, Pulling, Lifting
Typing, Grasping, Feeling
Talking, Hearing
Repetitive Motion

Environmental conditions

Outside, Heat, Noise, Vibration, Hazards, Atmosphere
Hiking, Bites, Remote, Weather, Driving
Equipment, Power Tools, Wading, Boating
Fires, Feral animals, Aboveground work

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee may be subject to call-in outside of regularly scheduled work hours, or required to be on call, including on nights, weekends or holidays, to respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring rapid response in support of District operations.

Requirements

Heavy Equipment Operator

High School Diploma or equivalent
Three (3) years related work experience
Obtainment of a Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement within 1 (one) year of hire
Valid IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and NFES S130/190 and L-180 burn certificate within one year

Staff Heavy Equipment Operator

High School Diploma or equivalent
Four (4) years related work experience
Valid Class A CDL
CDL Tanker Endorsement within 6 (six) months
Valid IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and NFES S130/190 and L-180 burn certificate within one year

Senior Heavy Equipment Operator

High School Diploma or equivalent
Six (6) years related work experience
Valid Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement
Valid IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, NFES S130/190 and L-180, and Basic Fire Control Training Certificate or equivalent (must obtain within 6 months of hire)
Preferred: Southern Area Engine Academy

Benefits

Florida Retirement System (FRS) – District Total Contribution 14.03%
9 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
Generous vacation and sick leave
Paid Parental Leave, including Maternity, Bonding and Family Supportive Work Program
Medical and dental insurance (91–97% District paid)
Vision insurance
Deferred Compensation Program
Basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance
Long-term disability (District Paid)
Prescription drug coverage & mail order program
Health savings & flexible spending accounts
Flexible schedule for work-life balance
Legal and Identity Theft protection
Wellness program
Public service loan forgiveness qualified employer
Tuition reimbursement ($5,250/year)
State adoption benefit qualified employer
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Transfer in years of service for other public sector work – towards the FRS program and sick time

Pay

Starting compensation ranges (reflecting minimum to approximately 50% of the respective pay grades; actual starting salary based on education and experience):

Maintenance and Trades Technician 3: $17.19 – $21.91 per hour
Maintenance and Trades Technician 4: $18.31 – $23.51 per hour
Maintenance and Trades Technician 5: $19.50 – $24.86 per hour

The District conducts annual performance evaluations that may award applicable pay increases based on positive employee performance.

Schedule

Typically 40 hours per week, based out of the Tampa, FL office
Occasional overtime and overnight travel required
May be required to work on nonscheduled workdays including weekends and holidays during declared emergencies or workload demands
Eligible for overtime for hours worked over 40 in a week
Subject to call-in/on-call