Title: Heavy Duty Equipment Operator with Class A & Hazmat Endorsement
Pollock Pines, CA, US, 95726-1500
Minimum Pay Rate: $64.69
Maximum Pay Rate: $64.69
Civil Service Status: Non-Civil Service
Apply by Date: 12/01/2026
This position intends to fill a one (1) year limited term position.
For over 75 years, we've powered Sacramento with clean, reliable energy, and hydroelectric power is a core part of our vision for a sustainable future. To keep our hydro powerhouses in the Upper American River Project (UARP) accessible year-round, we rely on skilled Heavy Equipment Operators to clear and maintain roads, especially through challenging weather and terrain.
Our Power Generation department has a limited-term, one-year opportunity for a Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) at our Fresh Pond hydro facility. In this role, you'll operate diesel and gas-powered construction and road maintenance equipment to ensure our maintenance crews can safely and efficiently reach the hydro sites. You'll handle everything from snow removal and road grading to equipment repairs and general maintenance, all critical to keeping our hydro assets running smoothly.
This hands-on, physically demanding job may involve long shifts during storms as well as loading, unloading, and moving both permit-legal and extra-legal loads using a tractor and low-bed trailer. If you have experience operating heavy equipment in steep, mountainous terrain and enjoy working outdoors, this could be the right job for you.
Application Preparation: As part of the application process, candidates will be required to answer two (2) questions when submitting their application. Please be advised, "Refer to resume" responses will not be accepted.
Purpose
Under limited supervision, this class operates diesel or gasoline powered construction and road maintenance equipment on a large variety of jobs. Makes running repairs and adjustments to equipment. Performs a variety of general operation and maintenance work during periods when equipment operation is not required.
Nature and Scope
This is the journey-level class in the Heavy Duty Equipment Operator series. Incumbents in this class operate one or more of a variety of types of construction equipment and have the responsibility for operating it lawfully, carefully, safely and in such a manner as to avoid damage to expensive equipment while ensuring a maximum degree of productivity with a minimum of repairs and lost operating time. Although this class operates several types of equipment, this equipment has certain characteristics in common in that they are engine powered, slow moving, have similar control systems and adjustments. This type of equipment is intricate in operation and cannot be readily learned with practice on the job. Heavy Equipment Operators receive directions from a Foreman/forewoman relative to the work to be accomplished but the operator must be sufficiently skilled in equipment operation to promptly carry out these directions.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Hauls heavy equipment using low bed or truck and trailer combinations that are extra-legal on steep, mountainous roads.
- Operates a wide range of heavy equipment, snow removal equipment, cranes, and bucket trucks at any time in all weather conditions. Equipment includes, but is not limited to, bulldozers, motor graders, front end loaders, snowplows, backhoes, and a variety of other mobile and stationary equipment used in road construction, maintenance, repair and reservoir maintenance.
- Makes running repairs to heavy duty equipment, snow removal equipment, cranes, and bucket trucks at any time in all weather conditions.
- Services, oils, fuels, and makes field/running repairs and adjustments to heavy equipment in remote areas with minimal supervision.
- Inspects and reports on condition of equipment.
- Prepares written and oral reports.
- When equipment operation is not required, general maintenance work may be assigned which may include painting, concrete work, storm cleanup and various manual tasks associated with the general maintenance of a generating facility and steam field.
- Works alone or with other crafts.
- May provide guidance and direction to small crews and/or apprentice operators; performs other related duties as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Education & Experience
- Satisfactory completion of the 48-month SMUD Apprenticeship; or, three (3) years recent full time experience in operating a wide range of heavy equipment at the journey level; and experience hauling extra legal loads in steep mountainous terrain.
Required Licenses/Certificates
- Must possess and maintain a valid Class A California Drivers License with Haz-mat endorsement and a satisfactory driving record not more than two moving violations in the last two years.
Knowledge Of
Skills To
Operate the various types of equipment in a safe and skillful manner; make minor field repairs and adjustments; understand and follow written and oral instructions; keep required records; drive and work safely; instruct other employees in the correct methods of equipment operation; the operation of this equipment is physically taxing and may involve long periods of shift work during storms. Operate heavy equipment with multiple functions safely and smoothly in a productive manner; load, unload, and transport permit legal and extra-legal loads with a tractor and low bed trailer; and, communicate and cooperate with others in a productive manner. Willingness to work rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays; willingness and ability to do maintenance work when necessary; willingness to work in hazardous areas, wear protective clothing and follow safety procedures; and, willingness to work overtime, when necessary.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience hauling heavy equipment using low bed or truck and trailer combinations that are extra-legal
- Experience operating snowplows with sander spreader combination and rotary snow blowers
- Experience operating one or more of the following: crane, bucket truck, bulldozers, motor graders, front end loaders, and/or backhoes
- Experience operating stationary equipment used in road construction, utility installations, civil maintenance, pavement repair and/or reservoir maintenance
Physical Requirements
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.
An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.
SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
Why Sacramento, California?
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.
On-site Work
This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD's campuses daily to complete work tasks.
CalPERS
SMUD is a CalPERS agency. As a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), SMUD offers eligible employees access to a defined benefit pension plan along with other valuable retirement and health benefits. This program helps provide financial security both during your career and after retirement. To learn more about CalPERS and the benefits it offers, please visit www.calpers.ca.gov.