Public Works Equipment Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $44,449.60 Annually
Location : 223 Putnam County Boulevard - East Palatka, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-047
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 06/22/2026
General Description
Location: 145 W Washington Street, Hawthorne, FL 32640, USA
This is a full-time, hourly position that reports to the Superintendent, Area Supervisor, Crew Leader, or designee. The position performs skilled work in the operation of heavy public works equipment. Duties include performance of manual laboring tasks.
Essential Job Functions
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Needs minimal supervision and able to perform all Maintenance Worker, Equipment Operator I, Equipment Operator II, Equipment Operator III & Equipment Operator IV job functions.
2. Operates one or more of the following most of the work day on an assigned basis:
3. All Public Works and other complex equipment
4. Operates gasoline or other powered machinery such as cement mixers, air hammers, compressors, pumping machinery, saws and etc.
5. Washes, cleans, and gives routine first level maintenance to the equipment.
6. Performs manual laboring tasks as assigned, such as patching, shoulder repair, ditch cleaning, tree trimming, bridge repair, headwall construction, litter control and other duties.
7. May be assigned to operate heavier equipment on a temporary, emergency or trainee basis.
8. Will be required to train all lower grade Road & Bridge Equipment Operators.
9. Lowboy tractor and trailer (transport).
10. Required to assist with emergency support functions (ESF) during emergencies or other related emergency duties.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related marginal duties as required.)
Minimum Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
1. Knowledge of principles and methods of operating heavy construction and/or landfill type equipment.
2. Knowledge of practices, methods, and materials used in public works and/or landfill construction and maintenance activities.
3. Knowledge of rules and regulations pertaining to safety and operation of equipment.
4. Ability to make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment and detect problems with equipment.
5. Ability to perform manual work.
6. Ability to follow, read and understand written and oral instructions.
7. Skill in cleaning and maintaining equipment.
8. Skill in operating medium to heavy equipment.
9. Skill in the use of hand and power tools.
10. Ability to complete daily work sheets accurately.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
1. Completion of the eighth (8th) grade.
2. Four (4) years experience in heavy equipment operation and on the road driving.
(A comparable amount of training, education or experience may be substituted for the above minimum qualifications.)
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS
1. Ability to possess and maintain a Class "A" Florida Driver's License.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS
1. Heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds and over).
2. Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).
3. Pulling, pushing.
4. Walking, standing, kneeling, bending, stooping, climbing.
5. Driving.
6. Equipment Operation.
7. Eye, hand, and foot coordination.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
1. Works outside in varying weather conditions with dust, vibrations, fumes, and noise.
(Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability or disabilities.)
An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Putnam County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families today, and as they plan for their future. Below is a summary of the County Benefits for full-time employees:
CORE BENEFITS
• Medical/Health Insurance
• Employee Life Insurance (up to $50,000)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
OPTIONAL BENEFITS
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program (ICMA, Nationwide, & Valic)
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Putnam County pays the monthly administrative fees.
• Tuition Assistance Program - Subject to budgetary constraints.
FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (for Board of County Commissioner employees only) Regular, full-time employees are eligible for reimbursement of educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Department for program details.
HOLIDAYS are as follows:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Birthday Holiday - (for Board of County Commissioner employees only)
ANNUAL (VACATION) LEAVE - All regular full-time employees assigned to a 37.50 work week will earn 90 hours to 150 hours, depending on classification and length of service. All regular full-time employees assigned to a 40 hour work week will earn 96 hours to 160 hours, depending on classification and length of service. Note: Leave accruals may differ for bargaining unit employees.
SICK LEAVE - All regular full-time employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 13 days per year. Regular part time employees will accrue sick leave on a pro-rata basis. Note: Leave accruals may differ for bargaining unit employees.
OTHER BENEFITS
Bereavement Leave
Cost Saving Incentive Program
Employee of the Quarter Program
Jury Duty Pay