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The Heavy Motor Equipment Operator (HMEO) provides laborer and equipment utilization functions for the department. Responsibilities include operating heavy trucks and unskilled laborer’s tools required for work projects and ensuring for the safe and efficient operation of vehicles and machinery in support of the Public Works Department - Highway Division.
Work is performed on loud to very loud construction sites and employee is exposed to outdoor weather conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and moving mechanical parts more than 2/3rds of the time and toxic or caustic chemicals and extremes of heat and cold up to 1/3rd of the time. Employee is required to talk, listen, use hands, and reach with hands and arms more than 2/3rds of the time and to stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. Employee frequently lifts up to 60 pounds and occasionally lifts up to or more than 100 pounds. Normal vision is required for this position. Equipment operated includes trucks in excess of 26,001 pounds, pneumatic tools, and hand tools.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Safely and efficiently operates medium and heavy-duty motor equipment that requires a Commercial driver’s License (CDL), including both standard and automatic drive trucks and motor equipment
• Drives trucks to haul materials, plows snow, and operates sander and other vehicles as assigned
• Maintains logs of activities as required
• Follows all safety precautions while performing work
• Performs a CDL circle check; lubricates, adds oil, inflates tires, and otherwise services equipment to ensure proper operation; reports any malfunctions to supervisor and may help with minor repairs and maintenance
• Completes a Vehicle Condition report on a daily basis and may help with repair and maintenance of equipment and machinery
• Performs laboring functions at work sites and construction projects
• Performs traffic maintenance functions
• Participates in snow and ice removal operations and other emergencies as declared by the City
• Performs other similar or related duties as assigned/required

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent and one to three years of experience operating heavy trucks and equipment preferred; an equivalent combination of education or experience may be considered
• Valid Massachusetts driver's license
• Class B Massachusetts Commercial Driver's License (CDL) required; Class A preferred.
• Must be able to perform duties safely and efficiently
• Must be able to operate heavy trucks in a safe manner in accordance with department safety guidelines
• Must be able to detect mechanical problems, maintain vehicles and equipment, and help perform minor repairs as needed
• Must be able to understand and follow spoken and written instructions
• Must be able to perform strenuous physical work over a period of time as detailed in the Job Description, which includes lifting, carrying, and placing heavy objects often under adverse weather conditions

THE CITY:
The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.
OUR GOVERNMENT:
Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Marc C. Laredo was sworn in on January 1, 2026 after serving on the City Council. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.
AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

The targeted salary range reflects what the City of Newton reasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting, but the final salary determination may be within or outside this range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and market factors. The range will be reviewed regularly and is subject to change.

• Health insurance - 75% employer sponsored
• Dental insurance
• Two (2) weeks of vacation time per year
• Annual step increases (up to the maximum of the grade)
• Annual cost of living adjustments (COLA)
• Longevity payments after 5 years of continuous service
• 12.5 paid holidays per year
• $1000 clothing allowance per year
• 2 paid floating holidays per year, 2 personal business days per year
• 80 hours of special leave time per year
• Snow bonus - an additional $8.50/hour
• Summer Hours - Friday's off - Monday through Thursday 10 hour work days
• For Fleet Mechanics/Technicians, one (1) time $1500 tool allowance paid out upon completing probationary period
• Availability for overtime
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Weekly Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees