Senior Heavy Equipment Operator

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans, develops, operates, and maintains transportation facilities, services, and related systems which contribute to the livability and economic health of the City. We comprise a team of more than 500 people ready to serve the needs of our residents to improve the efficiency and safety of San José streets. We are an energetic and innovative team that is improving transportation in one of the nation’s largest cities, while focusing on safety, sustainability, and active public life! For more information about DOT, visit www.sanjoseca.gov/transportation.

Position Duties

The Department of Transportation is currently seeking to fill 1 vacancy for the Senior Heavy Equipment Operator position. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment in the future.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is recruiting for a Senior Heavy Equipment Operator (Senior HEO). Key responsibilities include:

Field Leadership & Supervision

• Provide frontline supervision of field crews
• Prioritize, assign, and coordinate daily work activities
• Ensure safety compliance and oversee job site operations
• Communicate with residents at project sites
• Evaluate staff performance

Operations & Project Oversight

• Supervise and participate in projects within the Pavement and Sewer divisions
• Coordinate and support emergency storm response efforts
• Maintain service levels for:
  • Emergency response
  • Pavement maintenance
  • Sanitary sewer maintenance
• Support timely sewer repairs and overall customer service goals

Programs & Compliance

• Coordinate the Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee Program
• Implement Safety and Wellness programs for Pavement and Sewer sections
• Ensure all training meets OSHA standards

Sewer & Capital Improvement Projects

• Provide field supervision for sewer repair and capital improvement projects
• Oversee a crew of approximately 14 maintenance and heavy equipment staff
• Help reduce backlog of sewer repair projects to minimize community impact

Administrative & Technical Duties

• Input data and generate reports using systems such as ACCESS and UNITY
• Support capital projects requiring heavy equipment and concrete crews, including:
  • Traffic calming improvements
  • ADA improvements
  • Median island construction
  • Traffic signal construction
• Contribute to approximately 12 large-scale projects annually

The Senior Heavy Equipment Operator may be required to work 10-hour shifts, overtime, weekends and holidays. This position may work in confined spaces.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Completion of high school, or General Educational Development (GED) Certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate.

Experience: Four (4) years of experience operating heavy motorized equipment such as that used in the construction trades.

Certifications/Licenses: Possession of a valid State of California Class A driver's license with applicable endorsements is required.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history:

• Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

• Constructive Energies: A demonstration of energy and drive that comes from within, and a willingness to approach all aspects of work with a generally positive attitude; possessing the inclination to take appropriate action rather than waiting to be told what to do; examples of Constructive Energies include but are not limited to: enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, empathy, dedication, reliable, proactive, respectful, confidence, ethical, and a willingness to help others.

• Customer Service: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

• Analytical Thinking: Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

• Problem Solving: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

• Project Management: Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.

• Supervision: Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

• Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment may be contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver’s license, and an assessment of your California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form. Failure to pass the DMV Pull Notice assessment will deem you ineligible for employment.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Keana Tran at Keana.Tran@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 4/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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