Heavy Equipment Operator presso East Bay Regional Park District, CA

About the Department

THE OPPORTUNITY: 

The Park District is currently recruiting for a Heavy Equipment Operator with the Small Trails Crew located at Las Trampas. The Small Trails Crew is a specialized unit within the Park Maintenance Group responsible for safely maintaining and improving over 300 miles of narrow natural surface trails spread over 130,000 acres in 2 East Bay Counties, as well as repairing or replacing Bridges, Puncheons, Retaining walls, culverts and other trail structures.

The hiring pools established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur during the one-year life of the hiring pools. 

Tentative Date of Onsite Examinations:

Performance Exam: Week of November 10, 2025

Oral Panel Interview: Week of November 17, 2025

Selection Interview: First week of December 1, 2025

ABOUT US:

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres; 1,250 miles of trails; 55 miles of shoreline. We manage and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. Learn about our Mission and Vision, History, and our contributions to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

OUR MISSION:

EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education.  An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities.

OUR VALUES:
 

• Respect – We honor the land we steward, each other, and the park visitors we serve.
• Resilience – We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
• Relationships – Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
• Responsiveness – We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
• Transparency – We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

WHY WORK FOR EBRPD?
 

• Working with a purpose for a better world today and for future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
• A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission.
• Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click here for details regarding additional benefits.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development.
• Free on-site parking.
• Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)
• Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch).

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

The East Bay Regional Parks needs your expertise at running trail maintenance equipment in our parks year-round. Are you safety and environmentally conscious? If you are looking for a rewarding work environment with an emphasis on high-quality work, here is your opportunity to operate a variety of equipment in some of the most beautiful areas of Alameda and Contra Costa County. Be a valued member of our Small Trails crew; a diverse, fun, and proactive team that Supports the Park District’s Maintenance and Skilled Trades Group and builds a variety of projects that keep East Bay Parks safe and sustainable.
 
IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Journey-level heavy equipment operator experienced in trail dozers, skid steers, mini-excavators, skip loaders, motor graders, compactors, and paving equipment.
• Can safely perform various types of work that range from the maintenance of low-volume rural roads and narrow trails, paved trails and staging areas, and the construction of new trail structures.
• Are self-motivated, resourceful, and take pride in their work.
• Enjoy working outdoors in a team setting with the goal of maintaining a safe space for all to enjoy.

Position Duties

• Operates a variety of heavy equipment, including dump trucks, excavators, transports, and a wide range of dozers, backhoes, and paving equipment. 
• Constructs, removes, maintains and repairs asphalt surfaces on roads, driveways, and parking lots.
• Installs and repairs erosion control devices, water and sewer lines, holding and septic tanks. 
• Transports equipment to parks for projects; maintains and inspects equipment for safety. 
• Installs culverts, fords, swales, and storm drains. 
• Cuts and moves fill material. 
• Organizes, maintains, and schedules equipment, materials, and trucking. 
• Acts as a lead person on projects. 
• Constructs and maintains District fire trails and single-track trails. 
• Dredges ponds, streams, and silt basins. 
• Maintains District beaches and repairs slides; conducts training courses on tractors and class A driving, once license is obtained. 
• Provides lead direction to junior crewmembers; performs administrative tasks including entering and retrieving data and keeping records; and performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Equivalent to completion of twelfth grade,

AND

Experience: Three years of experience as a full journey-level heavy equipment operator, including operation of equipment such as bulldozers, backhoes, heavy-duty transport equipment, etc.

Substitutions: Completion of a recognized formal apprenticeship in heavy equipment operation may be substituted for the required experience.

License or Certificate:  Possession valid Class C California Driver’s License is a condition of initial and continued employment in this classification.

Desired Qualifications 

Knowledge of:

• Trail Design and Construction: Understanding of natural surface trail principles, including proper drainage, insloping/outsloping, grade reversals, and creating a sustainable trail tread.

• Heavy Equipment Operation: In-depth knowledge of how to safely and effectively operate various types of mechanized equipment, such as mini-excavators, dozers, skip loaders, and telehandlers. This includes knowing their capabilities, limitations, and how to use their unique attachments.
• Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Familiarity with routine operator-level maintenance tasks (e.g., checking fluids, greasing, changing hydraulic attachments) and the ability to diagnose common mechanical issues in the field.
• Transportation and Hauling: Proper procedures for loading, securing, and transporting heavy equipment on a trailer, as well as an understanding of associated safety regulations.
• Site Safety and Risk Assessment: Comprehensive knowledge of job site safety protocols, including spotting for other crew members, identifying and mitigating hazards (e.g., steep slopes, overhead power lines, unstable ground), and using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Ability to:

• Operate Precisely in Confined Spaces: Skillfully maneuver heavy equipment on narrow trails, often with limited room for turning, to build or repair trail tread without damaging the surrounding environment.

• Work on Steep and Challenging Terrain: Confidently and safely operate equipment on steep grades and cross-slopes exceeding 15-18%, maintaining control and stability at all times.
• Perform Physical Labor: Work effectively in conjunction with the equipment, performing manual tasks like clearing brush, using hand tools, and lifting heavy materials in a physically demanding outdoor environment.
• Communicate and Work as a Team: Clearly communicate with supervisors and other crew members, follow instructions, and contribute to a cooperative and safe team environment.
• Problem-Solve in the Field: Independently assess challenges (e.g., unexpected rock, changing soil conditions, equipment malfunction) and make sound, on-the-spot decisions to complete the task efficiently and safely.

• Establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers and park users.

Other Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of: loading, unloading, and securely tying down equipment; asphalt and erosion control device products and applications; safe excavation around underground utilities; Department of Transportation regulations; journey-level knowledge in the operation of a broad variety of heavy equipment; basic office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. 

Ability to: safely excavate for the installation of tanks; select the most efficient machine for each project; coordinate and plan non-engineered projects and communicate plans with crew; read grade stakes, survey markers, and blue prints; use transit; maintain equipment; install culverts, fords, swales, and storm drains; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Must pass a Level 1 Background Check.

Possession of a valid Class A Driver’s License, including the tank endorsement is a condition of initial and continued employment in this classification or must be obtained within six months of appointment.   Failure to obtain and subsequently maintain the required license could result in incumbent’s removal from position.

Must wear a Park District Uniform.

Depending on work location and assignment, ability to use a respirator in the performance of work.  In accordance with CAL OSHA respirator regulations, Title 8, 5144 (c) (g) (l) (A) (l.), incumbent shall not wear facial hair (e.g. beards, long sideburns, etc.) that impedes the effectiveness of the respirator.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

UNION AFFILIATION:

AFSCME: East Bay Regional Parks Employees, Local 2428, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, represents this classification. Wages, hours, and other terms of conditions of employment are covered in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Park District and Local 2428.  The probationary period for this classification is nine (9) months.

Internal Promotions: Placement shall be made at the first step in the salary range for the new position (Step A) unless the salary rate at Step A of the new position is less than a 5% increase. In such instances, the employee will be placed at a step in the new salary range that ensures at least a 5% increase.

Application materials for these positions consist of two (2) required parts:

1. A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online, and
2. Completed supplemental questions

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. If you have previously applied to a position on GovernmentJobs.com, please allow time to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you encounter problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.

Notification: All applicants will be notified of the status of their application via email, generally within two to three weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications.

Selection Process: The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for testing or oral examination/interview. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment.

Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at (510) 544-2154 at least five business days before the test.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Candidarsi ora