WGW HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Job Description:

WGW HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Description

Description

We are seeking a highly experienced Heavy Equipment Operator to join our Utilities Water Gas Wastewater team.

The Position

Palo Alto is the only city in California that offers a full range of utility services to its citizens and businesses. With over 100 years of successful public utility operations, Palo Alto continues its tradition of delivering safe services, local decision-making on policies, utility rate-setting, environmental programs, and tailored solutions for the community. This position is in the Water Gas and Wastewater Operations (WGW Operations) Division which is part of the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department. Water Gas Wastewater Operations is responsible for the maintenance, installation, and demolition of underground water, gas, and wastewater utilities. Learn more about the City's Utilities Department, click here .

This position is essential for the success of our construction projects, requiring safe and efficient operation and basic maintenance of heavy machinery.

Schedule: 9/80 schedule, Monday - Thursday 6:30am - 4pm and Fridays 6:30am- 3pm with every other Friday off

The ideal candidate will be possess the following skills/attributes:

• extensive experience using a backhoe
  

• safety-conscious
  

• detail-oriented
  

• experience managing heavy equipment
  

• excels in operating machinery
  

• reliable team player
  

• capable of handling the physical demands of construction work in various conditions
  

To learn more about SEIU compensation plan, click here !

Essential Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties maybe include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Works with Utilities Installer/Repairer Lead or Utilities Installer/ Repairer operating equipment used during installation, maintenance, and repair of the water, gas, and wastewater system and the installation of underground piping system
• Operates backhoe to excavate trenches, to install, maintain, and repair City's utility system
• Operates front-end loader to backfill trenches and load trucks
• Complies with safety standards and practices
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures in working with Heavy Equipment

To review the full job description, click here.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:

• Completion of High School, GED, or equivalent

and

• One year of experience operating type(s) of heavy equipment used in area of assignment

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Class A commercial driver's permit with appropriate endorsements required within sixty days of appointment with ability to obtain license within six months.
• Ability to pass drug test as mandated by the Department of Transportation.

Supplemental Information

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).

Recruitment Timeline (All dates subject to change) :
Candidates will be evaluated based on the details in both the application and their answers to the Supplemental Questions. Incomplete details about experience, mentioning experience only in the Supplemental Questions without listing it in the application, copying and pasting the same information from the application to the Supplemental Questions, or referencing the resume only may lead to disqualification.

First Application Review: September 12th
Field Assessment: Week of October 20th
Final Interview: Week of November 3th

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.

Closing Date/Time: 9/25/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$109,428.80 - $133,952.00 Annually