Equipment Operator at Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

About the Department

Perform equipment operation and manual labor in the care and maintenance of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's grounds, trails and amenities to provide a safe, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable environment for the public.  Equipment Operators work and operate a wide variety of equipment outside year round in all types of weather and climate conditions. Work assigned based on seasonal needs.  Hours of operation may include days, nights, holidays, and weekends.

JOIN OUR CREW, WE NEED YOU:

Join the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and make a difference in your community!

 

We are seeking employees who love nature, people, and fun. Apply today and enjoy learning new skills, meeting new friends, and serving the community, all while working in our beautiful park system. Whether you are interested in recreation, environmental education, maintenance, or customer service, we have a job for you!

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of one of the premier park systems in the United States. Our picturesque lakes, neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and diversified programming make the park system an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, play, and work!

Position Duties

• Perform all operation and inspection of vehicles that require a CDL license and assigned equipment to established standards, protocols, local, state and federal regulations.
• Safely and effectively operate equipment  to maintain park grounds including turf, trails, gardens, landscapes, athletic facilities, golf courses, sidewalks and parking lots according to established standards, protocols, and/or management plans.
• Safely and effectively perform snow removal and ice control on trails, pathways, entrances, sidewalks, steps, roof and other hard surfaces to provide appropriate levels of access and safety according to established standards, protocols and/or management plans.  During winter months, work may include outdoor ice rink sweeping (night shift).  

• Safely and effectively operate equipment to assist with Forestry activities, including tree and debris removal, storm damage, tree planting and pruning according to established standards, protocols, and/or management plans.  

• Use mobile technology to track system assets and work orders.  

• Perform and foster an environment of safe work practices and report safety issues promptly to appropriate staff.
• Work as a member of a crew to complete various tasks or project assignments as directed by Crew Leaders or Foremen.
• Keep Crew Leader promptly informed of matters as they relate to the department and MPRB.
• Assist MPRB in identifying and addressing the park and recreation needs of underserved and under-represented communities.

Minimum Qualifications

Need to Have: 

• High School diploma or G.E.D
• Experience driving trucks at least 26,001 pound gross vehicle weight and experience maintaining and operating a variety of heavy equipment requiring a CDL (including, but not limited to; single axle truck up to 16,000 lbs, single axle truck or tandem axle truck 26,001 lbs or greater, single axle or tandem axle truck with combination trailer, skid steer loader with various attachments, front end loader with various attachments): at least two (2) years.
• Experience operating and maintaining small and large equipment (other than CDL equipment listed above): at least one (1) year.
• Experience in park maintenance, landscaping, construction or turf maintenance preferred.
• Commercial drivers license Class B (non-restricted air brake) required; tanker endorsement required by date of hire.  Must obtain Class A commercial driver's license (with non-restricted air brake and tanker endorsement) within one year of hire in compliance with State of MN requirements.  
• Pesticide applicators license or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Forklift certification is required.  Training will be provided after hire.  

Physical Requirements 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, driving, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
• Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of forces constantly to move objects.
• The ability to safely operate motor vehicles and both small and large equipment as incumbents are subject to local travel to and from work locations on city streets and public grounds.  The ability to remain in a sitting or standing position for extended periods of time.
• The incumbent may be required to traverse on rough, uneven terrain, as well as wet and slippery surfaces.
• Considerable amount of outdoor work.  Handles pesticides and hydraulic fluids. Exposure to toxic materials and hazardous items such as hypodermic syringes, vermin, decaying materials, etc. while assigned to trash removal. Potential of injury due to falling objects.

Skills Crucial to Success in This Role: 

• Operate a variety of both CDL and non-CDL equipment, vehicles and implements and operating capabilities, with particular knowledge of equipment, vehicles and implements requiring CDL drivers. 
• Perform routine maintenance and care of equipment and vehicles.
• Knowledge of Minnesota driving laws and understanding of road and traffic hazards under DOT regulations and guidelines.  
• Ability to utilize technology and communicate using mobile devices and other electronic equipment. 
• Establish and maintain effective, respectful, and productive working relationships in a diverse work environment.
• Outstanding customer service principles and practices and standards for a diverse customer base.

Other Qualifications

FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Union Status: Local #49 Equipment Operators

Job Information Session:  A 30 minute Job Information Session will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 11:30AM CST.   This is your opportunity to ask questions about the position and to gain a better understanding of the civil service application process.  Interested parties are encouraged to attend. Please join us via phone conference at 612-474-1955 (phone conference ID 294 724 293#)

To view a full list of qualifications and job description, click Here
To learn more about Veteran's Preference, click Here.

Selection Process:
To apply for this full-time civil service position, applicants must complete an online application with supplemental questions at www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs. Late applications will be rejected.
What steps the selection process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications. Please note that a copy of your current Class A or B Commercial Driver's License must be submitted to Human Resources by the application deadline (9/26/2025 at 4:00PM) or be disqualified.  A copy of the license (both front and back side) can be submitted in the following ways: 
  • Submit as an attachment to the online application;
  • Fax to (612) 314-8703; or 
  • Email to [email protected].  
• We rate your training and experience based on application materials and supplemental questions (30%).
• We conduct a structured panel interview (oral exam) (70%).
• We calculate your civil service score based on the above components and place you on the eligible list if all testing components are passed (passing score for each component and as an overall score is 70.00 or above).  Eligible list will expire in three (3) months.
• We refer the top finalists to the hiring manager for an interview.
• References, including verification of employment and work performance, may be considered. Past performance and discipline may be considered.
• We conduct a background check.  Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, the applicant will be asked to sign an informed consent allowing the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to obtain their criminal history in connection with the positions sought. View the MPRB Background Check Policy at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Background-Check-Policy.pdf
• Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, applicants will also need to successfully pass a pre-employment DOT physical examination with work simulation paid for by the MPRB.
• Applicant will be asked to consent to MPRB conducting a full query of the driver’s Clearinghouse record as required by the FMCSA.  

Please note that HR reserves the right to limit the number of people invited to successive testing events.

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