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Equipment Operator, Principal - Provisional

City of Richmond

Location
Richmond, VA
Employment type
Full-Time Temporary
Compensation
$50,356.80 - $72,404.80 Annually
Source
neogov
Posted
11/10/2026
The maximum hiring compensation for this position is not to exceed an hourly rate of $28.125.

The City of Richmond Department of Public Works is seeking highly qualified candidates to fill several provisional positions of Equipment Operator, Principal. The incumbents are responsible for operating heavy equipment and machinery, assisting with special projects and other required tasks.

**City of Richmond Public Works employees are considered essential personnel and will be required to work during declared emergencies and major weather events.**

This is a temporary position and the selected candidate will not be eligible for full City benefits. Please review the City of Richmond's HR page for a full list of available benefits.
  • Operating a variety of trucks to include dump trucks with trailer, tandem dump trucks, tractor-trailers, oil distributor, payloader, flusher truck/waster tanker, small paver, backhoe, rubber tire roller, service truck, hole auger and pole truck, bucket truck, concrete truck, chipper spreader, vactor, snow removal equipment, street sweeper and complex hydraulics, small cranes, backhoe, and other equipment as required by manager or Division needs
  • Attending training and development sessions required for advancement or promotion
  • Operating specialized equipment, machinery or vehicles, such as waste collection rear loader vehicles, yard waste container vehicles, knuckle-arm boom vehicles and other waste collection equipment assigned to unit, division, or department
  • Following assigned route, understanding and reading street maps, removing debris, litter, loads material into trucks and operating equipment that supports snow removal operations, when needed
  • Providing the required service maintenance and needed repairs, comprehensive repair records of the equipment and other duties assigned by manager
  • Loading, transporting, and delivering refuse; establishing safe work zones by erecting barricades and signs, when needed; and directing traffic
  • Driving monitors, repairing or reporting vehicles that may have damage, faults, breaks, or leaks such as hydraulic fluids, gas, or water, in existing equipment
  • Providing leadership, training and the development of crew members assigned
  • Providing a team environment at all times
  • Removing debris, vegetation, sludge, earth, or broken pavement and loads trucks for transport; locating and exposing underground structures or pipelines; and preparing or restoring work sites
  • Loading, transporting, and unloading supplies and equipment
  • Transporting co-workers to and from work sites; establishes safe work zones by erecting barricades and signs
  • Maintaining equipment, machinery, or vehicles in good working order; observing established protocols and procedures for safe operation and storage or equipment and machinery; performing routine maintenance; reporting damaged or unsafe equipment to supervisor
  • Determining amount and type of materials, equipment and/or tools necessary to complete tasks
  • Assigning work, providing guidance, and instructing others as s lead worker
  • Attending training and development needed to prepare for the next level or promotion opportunity
  • Performing other related duties as assigned
MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Two (2) years of experience at the Equipment Operator, Senior level
  • Training in equipment used at this level of assignment
  • An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification
PREFERRED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
  • At least two (2) years of experience as a team lead, supervisor or manager
  • Microsoft Office Suite experience
LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • A valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record
  • A valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license
  • A valid Commonwealth of Virginia Commercial driver's license with proper endorsements in accordance with Division of Motor Vehicle regulations

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
TYPICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: These are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

  • Complex heavy equipment and vehicles
  • Hydraulics
  • Safety rules regarding the operation of various equipment and tools
  • Basic math
  • Usage of various tools and equipment
  • Traffic safety

Skills (some combination of the following):

  • Generating, completing, and distributing reports and other forms
  • Oral and written communication
  • Customer Service
  • Map reading
  • Preparing and restoring a work site
  • Operating equipment in the Equipment Operator and Equipment Operator, Senior classifications, as well as operating equipment and vehicles mentioned above

Abilities (some combination of the following):

  • Organize
  • Problem solve
  • Manage time effectively
  • Pay attention to detail when working in an environment with electrical, power, water, and gas lines

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly finger and see; frequently talk and hear; and occasionally balance, stoop, crouch, stand, pull, grasp, and feel. The working conditions may include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.