Digging Equipment Operator Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Job Posting End Date: August 3, 2026 at 11:59pm CSTHiring range: $57,324 to $77,376 ($27.56 to $37.20 per hour). Starting rate will depend on experience and qualifications. Advancement opportunities exist for individuals motivated to move up within Anoka County.
Come join our team at Anoka County where you can serve your community while enjoying the benefits of work-life balance! This includes 24 days paid of flexible time off and up to 12.5 holidays your first year.
In order to be considered for this position, information to support your answers must be included in your application. A resume attachment is optional and cannot be used in place of this application. Applications must be received by the closing deadline of 11:59pm on 08/03/2026 in order to be considered.

Position Description

At the Anoka County Highway Department, it is our vision to enhance and protect life by providing safe roads and eliminating traffic congestion. As an Equipment Operator, you'll play a key role in supporting that mission by helping to maintain safe and reliable roadways year-round.

In this position, you will operate motorized and heavy equipment to support a wide range of road maintenance, construction, and snow and ice control activities. Responsibilities include reporting preventative maintenance on trucks and equipment, plowing and sanding, snow removal, setting up traffic control, flagging either manually or with auto-flaggers, patching and crack filling, tree trimming and removal, paving, patching, catch basin repair, shouldering, and performing ditch and sidewalk maintenance. If you enjoy hands-on work that makes a real impact in the community, this could be the role for you.

This is a full-time, non-exempt, on-siteposition. Interviews will take place the week of August 10th, 2026 for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Pay & Benefits

• Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 30 - 49ers: $57,324 to $77,376 ($27.56 to $37.20 per hour).

• 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.

• Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more at https://www.anokacountymn.gov/417/Benefits

• Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.

• Pension plan and other retirement investment options.

• Advancement/professional development opportunities.

Work Location

• This position will work at the Anoka County Highway building located at 1440 Bunker Lake Blvd NW, Andover MN 55304.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Equipment Operator.

• Conduct year-round and seasonal road maintenance and repairs including plowing and sanding, snow removal, patching, tree trimming and removal, paving, patching, shouldering, sidewalk maintenance and repair and ditch cleaning, ensuring culverts, catch basins, cross pipes and storm sewers are clean and maintained and in operating condition to ensure the safety of the roadways.

• Responsible for keeping the road and right-of-way free and clear of any hazards, including but not limited to roadkill, crash debris, and other items on the County Road system.

• Perform and ensure all safety standards and procedures are followed during digging, inspection, maintenance, traffic interruption, and overall operations to guarantee the safety of all employees and the public.

• Analyze, anticipate, and prepare for weather conditions, traffic conditions and patterns, limited visibility, and control to determine the effectiveness of operations.

• Perform basic preventative maintenance, cleaning, and daily inspections, such as salt removal, greasing fittings, and repairing hydraulic hoses and connections on assigned equipment prior to usage in conjunction with another operator.

• Provide traffic control services, including the operation and use of changeable message boards.

• Respond to weather emergencies and changing conditions for tree removal, plowing, and sanding.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• High school diploma or equivalent education.

• Two years of full-time (2,080 annual hours) paid job-related experience in the operation of highway construction and/or maintenance equipment.

• Possess a valid Minnesota Class A or B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air brake endorsement and be able to obtain a Minnesota Class A CDL with tanker and air brake endorsement within one year of employment.

• Successfully pass driver's license background check.

• Ability to commit to a 24/7 on-call shift rotation.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Experience in snow removal and ice control operations in a highway road systems environment.

• Ability to operate heavy equipment

• Ability to perform minor repairs and primary maintenance of highway equipment

• Knowledge of state laws, federal regulations, and department policy pertaining to heavy motorized vehicles and equipment on public roadways

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• Service garage and other county work sites, including construction sites, in all weather conditions.

• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades, and brightness.

• Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds.

• Ability to detect, discern, and tolerate a wide range of scents required for safety and performance of essential duties.

• Cognitive abilities required include problem-solving, prioritization of tasks, short- and long-term memory, interpreting and understanding written documents, and general mathematical skills.

• Physical activity may include repeated bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, crouching, pushing, pulling, walking on slippery surfaces, climbing in/out and working under vehicles, and handling/carrying equipment.

• Regular lifting of 0-25 lbs., occasional lifting of up to 100 lbs.

• Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment in addition to mechanic equipment depending on the assignment.

• Mechanic equipment may include but is not limited to wheel balancing equipment, brake drum lathes, grinders, drill presses, impact wrenches, cutting tools, hand and power tools, weather-appropriate gear, and personal protective equipment.

• Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.

• Exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes, airborne particles, prolonged vibration from machinery, and other hazards is possible while performing essential duties.

• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Union Representation

This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between Anoka County and the International Union of Operating Engineers - Local No. 49. Employees represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers - Local No. 49 contribute three percent (3%) of the employee's wages to the International Union of Operating Engineers Central Pension Fund. This position is open to current Anoka County employee members of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 49 positions.

Selection Process

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.

Pre-employment Requirements

Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

As required by federal law, Anoka County must conduct a query of driving records in the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse as part of the pre-employment process for CDL drivers (382.701 Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.). While Clearinghouse registration is not required, you will need to be registered to provide electronic consent for Anoka County to run a full query of your driving record in the Clearinghouse. Failing to provide consent to a query will result in a driver being prohibited from performing any safety-sensitive functions for Anoka County. Click this link to learn more about the clearinghouse. https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/Resource/Index/Factsheet

Applicants for positions that require driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) at any time will be required to undergo controlled substances testing prior to employment and will be subject to further controlled substances and alcohol testing throughout their period of employment.

About Anoka County

As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, Anoka County thrives because of the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. United by our mission- Commitment to Excellence: Through collaborative efforts, we seek to improve lives and serve with care, integrity, and professionalism- we offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences. Together, we work toward a single purpose of serving Anoka County's 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you toFind Your Pathwith Anoka County!Hear from other Anoka County employeeshere.

Commitment to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment

Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity.

If you require accommodations or have any other questions regarding this job posting, please call the Anoka County Human Resources Department at 763-324-4300 and reference the posting title and number. If you have questions about the hiring process, please visit: https://www.anokacountymn.gov/4411/Application-Process

Anoka County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy: https://www.anokacounty.us/401/Diversity-EEO