Entry Level Heavy Equipment Operator Training Jobs

Salary: $36.14 - $49.79 Hourly
Location : 4060 E. La Palma Avenue, Anaheim, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-00019
Department: Recharge Operations
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: 6/29/2026 4:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Orange County Water District Employees Association
Description
Assistant Heavy Equipment Operator / Heavy Equipment Operator
(Anaheim and Corona)
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
The Assistant Heavy Equipment Operator and Heavy Equipment Operator are the first and second levels, respectively, in a three-level heavy equipment operator series. The Assistant Heavy Equipment Operator performs entry-level heavy equipment operator duties. The Heavy Equipment Operator performs skilled-level heavy equipment operator duties and is distinguished from the Assistant Heavy Equipment Operator by the ability to operate most, if not all, heavy equipment at Field Headquarters (FHQ) and Prado.
This position requires flexibility to work at both our Anaheim (FHQ) and Corona (Prado) locations. Work assignments may be scheduled at either location based on operational needs.
Examples of Duties
The following essential job functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed job functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different job functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Operates bulldozers to build dikes and levees, make roads or pads, level rivers, clean silt from banks, reshape slopes, and push material.
• Operates motor graders to make, level or smooth roads, and to perform weed abatement.
• Operates rubber tire loaders and/or dump trucks to load trucks, fill sand plant hoppers, and haul materials.
• Operates backhoes to dig holes or trenches, clean trash racks, load and unload trucks, set pipes and pumps, and move or place rock or dirt.
• Operates heavy equipment scrapers to clean silt from percolation basins and holding ponds, cut roads, and haul material.
• Assists in hauling heavy equipment from one location to another by loading, chaining equipment down and driving a pilot car. Heavy Equipment Operators may additionally operate low-bed trailers and semi-trucks.
• Operates water trucks to support road maintenance, dust control, and vegetation establishment.
• Operates forklifts to load and unload trucks and to move items from place to place.
• Operates excavators to dig holes and trenches, removes material from ponds and channels.
• Operates mowing equipment to mow roads, levees, and slopes.
• Loads and unloads trucks and moves heavy objects.
• Performs a variety of hand work including but not limited to, digging trenches by hand, turning valves, sweeping, weed whacking, painting, fish clean-up, washing trucks, etc.
• Maintains equipment and driver's log.
• Handles job stress.
• Interacts effectively with others in the workplace.
• Follows all workplace and job safety rules and policies.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as required.
• Coordinate with biologists and recognize vegetation habitat, nesting birds, and other animals.
• In addition to the duties described above, employees in these classifications may be asked to assist with wetlands operations, such as operating in heavy vegetation, spraying herbicide chemicals; operating a small boat with an outboard motor; supporting planting by operating and maintaining an irrigation system and water truck; placing and removing stop logs using a backhoe and manual effort; moving water control valves; removing and trimming trees using chainsaws, chippers, and other equipment.

Typical Qualifications
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:

• Heavy equipment operating techniques, procedures, and maintenance (i.e. bulldozer, backhoe, etc.).
• Methods used to tie down heavy equipment.
• Basic understanding of drainage systems.
• Applicable Federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.
• Safe work practices.
• Basic construction.

Ability and Skills in:

• Operating a piece of heavy equipment.
• Tying down heavy equipment.
• Reading hydraulic gauges.
• Maintaining a variety of reports and records.
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Assistant Heavy Equipment Operator

• Education/Training: High School Diploma or General Equivalency Degree.
• Experience: General understanding of some heavy equipment operations, experience operating one or more pieces of heavy equipment is desirable; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Heavy Equipment Operator:

• Education/Training: High School Diploma or General Equivalency Degree.
• Experience: Two years of directly related heavy equipment operation; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Licenses:

• Valid California Class "C" Driver's License.
• The Heavy Equipment Operator: Valid California Class A Commercial Driver's License with tank endorsement and with no transmission or airbrake restrictions within six (6) months of employment at the employee's sole expense.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Physical: Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally (80 pounds at Prado), and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently (40 pounds at Prado), and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, intense noises, and travel. Incumbents require sufficient physical ability to work in a field setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; operate heavy equipment including use of hand tools, and other related equipment.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
All Orange County Water District employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
Supplemental Information
LOCATION: This position requires flexibility to work at both our Anaheim (FHQ) and Corona (Prado) locations. Work assignments may be scheduled at either location based on operational needs. Employees will generally be notified of their assigned work location at least one day in advance. In the event of a same-day reassignment, travel between sites will occur during paid work time using a company vehicle.

• Prado Wetlands: 14980 River Rd, Corona, CA 92880
• Field Headquarters:4060 E. La Palma Ave, CA 92807

Please visit the website below to view a summary of employee benefits:
NOTE: The provisions of this post do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this posting may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
01
Do you have a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02
Describe how many years of experience you have directly related to heavy equipment operations, in which position(s), and performing what tasks?
03
Can you competently operate a bulldozer? If so, please describe your experience in a few sentences.
04
Please check if you have any experience or training in operating the following equipment (more than one choice may be selected).(

• Motor grader
• Rubber tire loader
• Dump trucks
• Backhoe
• Heavy equipment scraper
• Pilot car
• Excavator
• Mowing equipment (to mow roads, levees, slopes)
• Skid-steer loader
• None

05
Please describe your experience or training for each of the items checked above. If none were selected, please enter "N/A".
06
Please describe your experience hauling heavy equipment. If you do not have experience, please enter "N/A".
07
Please describe your experience performing handwork (such as digging trenches, turning valves, weed-whacking, fish clean-up).
08
Do you currently possess a valid California Class "C" Driver's License or higher?For out-of-state applicants: Currently possessing the equivalent of a California Class "C" driver's license from another state and having the ability to readily obtain a Class "C" driver's license in the State of California would temporarily suffice this requirement.

• Yes
• No

09
Do you have a valid California Commercial Driver's License Class "A" or "B" with any endorsements? If so, please indicate below.
10
Safety Sensitive Positions- Prospective employee must answer the following questions as required under US DOT 49 CFR Part 40.25(j).During the past three years, have you ever tested non-negative, or refused to test, on any pre-employment drug or alcohol test administered by any employer to which you applied for safety-sensitive work covered by DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - even if the job offer was withdrawn?

• Yes
• No

11
If you answered "yes" to the DOT question above you will need to provide proof that you have successfully completed the DOT return to duty requirements. Please attach the documentation to the end of this application (later).
12
I hereby understand and declare that the statements on this supplemental questionnaire are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. As applicable, I hereby authorize the Agency and/or designees to contact the references listed to verify the information I have supplied. I hereby release from liability all persons and organizations furnishing such information. I understand that the Agency reserves the right to validate information received on the supplemental questionnaire and that I will be subject to disqualification and/or termination if any statement in this supplemental questionnaire is found to be untrue or determined to be misleading.

• Yes
• No

Required Question