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Government Equipment Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Equipment Operator II

Convent, LA ยท On-site

$18 - $24.75/hr

James Parish Government is hiring for Equipment Operator II in the Road, Bridge & Drainage Division under the Operations Department. JOB FUNCTION: Drives or operatesgasoline or diesel-powered ...

Equipment Operator

Navasota, TX ยท On-site

$15.75 - $21.75/hr

Trinity Heads, Inc . is hiring a Career Equipment Operator (Press Helper) at our Navasota plant ... government contractor and Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to consider candidates for ...

Equipment Operator

Papillion, NE ยท On-site

$17.75 - $24.25/hr

Government. About this position: Equipment Operator Location - Papillion, NE The Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed for ...

Equipment Operator

Albany, GA ยท On-site

$17.50 - $24/hr

... government/DOT, residential, and commercial. We offer state-of-the-art solutions across twenty states throughout the Southeast and the Eastern Seaboard. As an Equipment Operator (Stump Grinder), you ...

Equipment Operator

Papillion, NE ยท On-site

$17.75 - $24.25/hr

Government. About this position: Equipment Operator Location - Papillion, NE The Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed for ...

Equipment Operator

The Dalles, OR ยท On-site

$60K - $72K/yr

June 12, 2026 POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT Equipment Operator City of The Dalles Are you someone who ... care, government, and tourism. Your career can grow here. * Embrace the Outdoors - With over 300 ...

Equipment Operator

Cheyenne, WY ยท On-site

$22.11 - $26.01/hr

Skill in operating various types of trucks and equipment safely and efficiently. Skill in maintaining equipment according to standard operating and safety procedures. Skill in safely using power and ...

Equipment Operator

Tallahassee, FL ยท On-site

$37K - $61K/yr

General Description of Duties GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES This is work that involves primarily operating various light to medium public works automotive equipment such as a front-end loader, slope ...

Equipment Operator

Waycross, GA ยท On-site

$15 - $20.50/hr

Equipment Operator JOB SUMMARY: This position is responsible for operating a variety of equipment to maintain county roads, right-a-ways, and drainage systems as required to maintain the ...

Equipment Operator I

Havelock, NC ยท On-site

$17 - $23.25/hr

Equipment Operator I Cherry Point MCAS, NC FRCE Contract | Collective Bargaining Agreement Position ... Citizenship (required for government site access) * Ability to pass a government-administered ...

Equipment Operator

Jackson, CA ยท On-site

$40/hr

Heavy Equipment Operators will be paid federal prevailing wage for work performed. Project ... Our team of experts provide these integrated solutions for forward-thinking government agencies ...

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Government Equipment Operator information

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How much do government equipment operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for government equipment operator in the United States is $22.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a government equipment operator?

Government Equipment Operators are professionals employed by federal, state, or local government agencies to operate and maintain heavy machinery and vehicles. Their duties typically include driving and operating equipment such as bulldozers, graders, snowplows, forklifts, or garbage trucks, often in support of public works, maintenance, or emergency response operations. These roles require specialized training and adherence to safety regulations to ensure public safety and the proper functioning of government services. Operators may also be responsible for conducting routine inspections and basic maintenance on equipment, as well as keeping detailed records of their work. Employment in this position often requires a commercial driver's license (CDL) and may involve working in various weather conditions or during emergencies.

What are some common challenges faced by government equipment operators on the job?

Government Equipment Operators often encounter challenges such as working in varying weather conditions, adhering to strict safety protocols, and managing tight project deadlines. They must be able to quickly adapt to different types of machinery and terrain, sometimes in high-pressure or emergency situations. Additionally, operators frequently collaborate with diverse teams, including engineers and public works staff, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills to ensure that projects are completed efficiently and safely.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a government equipment operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Government Equipment Operator, you need a valid commercial driver's license (CDL), experience with heavy machinery, and a solid understanding of safety regulations and procedures. Familiarity with equipment such as backhoes, loaders, graders, and GPS or telematics systems is typically required, along with any specialized certifications for certain vehicles. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication enhance performance and ensure safe operations. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining public safety, minimizing equipment downtime, and efficiently completing government projects.

What is the difference between Government Equipment Operator vs Construction Equipment Operator?

AspectGovernment Equipment OperatorConstruction Equipment Operator
CertificationsCommercial Driver's License (CDL), equipment-specific certificationsOSHA safety training, equipment-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentPublic works, government agencies, outdoor sitesConstruction sites, private projects, outdoor environments
Employer & IndustryMunicipal, state, federal governmentConstruction companies, contractors

Both roles operate heavy machinery, often require similar certifications, and work outdoors. The main difference lies in the employer and project type: Government Equipment Operators work for public agencies on infrastructure projects, while Construction Equipment Operators work for private firms on building sites.

What is the easiest government equipment operator job to get?

Entry-level government equipment operator positions that require minimal experience and certifications, such as basic road maintenance or park equipment operation, tend to be easier to obtain. These jobs often prioritize a valid driver's license and physical fitness over extensive training, making them accessible for new applicants.

What states have the most Government Equipment Operator jobs?

States with the most job openings for Government Equipment Operator jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Government Equipment Operator jobs?

For Government Equipment Operator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Government Equipment Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,279 per year, or $22.2 per hour.

Equipment Operator II

Convent, LA โ€ข On-site

ST. JAMES PARISH GOVERNMENT
Public Administrationย โ€ขย 201 - 500 employees

$18 - $24.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

St. James Parish Government is hiring for Equipment Operator II in the Road, Bridge & Drainage Division under the Operations Department.
JOB FUNCTION: Drives or operatesgasoline or diesel-powered equipment characterized as moderately complex;trucks, tractors, backhoes, dozer, road graders, or other equipment in order tomaintain parish property, servitude, rights-of-way; and to repair roads andother facilities. The distinction between an Equipment Operator I and thisposition concerns the use of more complicated equipment and skill required.This position is classified as essential during declared emergencies or naturaldisasters. This is a nonexempt position, forty hours per week. This position is Safety Sensitive and subject to random drug testing as per the St. JamesParish Government Employee Handbook. Individuals in this class can complete themajority of their projects/assignments with a minimum amount of supervision.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES ANDRESPONSIBILITIES: Includes any combination of the followingillustrative examples of duties and responsibilities including but not limitedto:
- Performsmaintenance to equipment such as checking fuel, oil and, other lubricantlevels; performs necessary emergency repairs; observes indicators to check forproper function of machinery and stops operation when indicated; reports majormechanical problem for repair
- Maintainslogs for mileage, fuel consumption, materials transported in accordance withlocal, state, and federal regulations
- Drivesor operates small and large dump trucks, tandem trucks, side-arm/boom mowertractors, bush-hogs or related grass cutting equipment, to maintain parishproperty, servitude, and rights-of-way
- Operatesgrader or dozer to spread and level dirt, gravel, and stone to grade specificationsin construction and maintenance of earthwork structures, such as highways,streets, and temporary roads
- Operatespower-driven machines, equipped with movable shovel, to excavate or move dirt,rock, sand, and other material
- Maintainsequipment by washing and cleaning
- Otherduties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONREQUIREMENTS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform eachessential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representativeof knowledge, skills and/or ability required. St. James Parish Government is anequal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enableindividuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/orEXPERIENCE:High School diploma or general education diploma (GED) and 3 years experienceand/or training.
CERTIFICATES,LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid Louisiana Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with a class B designation and have an acceptable driving record.
OTHER SKILLS ANDABILITIES:
- Knowledgeof the operating procedures and maintenance of equipment operated
- Generalknowledge of the hazards and applicable safety rules and regulations inequipment operation
- Workingknowledge of traffic laws and regulations related to equipment operated
- Abilityto clean and assist in minor maintenance and repair of equipment operated
- Abilityto perform physical labor required of the position
- Abilityto identify operating problems of equipment assigned
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here arerepresentatives of those that must be met by an employee to successfullyperform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will bemade to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required tosit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee frequently isrequired to use hands to finger, handle, feel objects, tools, controls, andclimb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop,kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include closevision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, andthe ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The workenvironment characteristics described here are representatives of those that anemployee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Whileperforming the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outsideweather conditions, extreme heat/cold, near moving mechanical parts, and isregularly exposed to vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborneparticles. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places. Thenoise level in the work environment is usually very loud.
St. James Parish is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. The parish will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis including, but not limited to veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, agree or political affiliations.