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Heavy Equipment OperatorOpen Date: 10/21/26Close Date: 11/05/26Salary: $40.11 per hourJob Type: RegularLocation: Valley View Campus, 1001 S. Valley View Blvd., Las VegasFor any questions regarding this announcement, please contact LVVWD Recruitment at [email protected].FILING DEADLINE: The first 100 applications submitted ON or BEFORE 11:59pm, Wednesday, November 4th, 2026, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general supervision, transports and operates a variety of light to heavy construction and commercial equipment and vehicles used in the maintenance and repair District facilities including the installation and repair of distribution mains, service line laterals and related appurtenances to supply in-valley and out valley residential, commercial, industrial and reclaimed water customers; ensures the safety of the public and other District staff during the operation of equipment at District facilities and job sites and on public streets, in accordance with all applicable safety and environmental protection rules, standards, policies and procedures; and performs related duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Heavy Equipment Operators operate a wide range of light to heavy, complex construction and commercial vehicles required in the maintenance and repair of District facilities and in the construction, installation, maintenance and repair of water distribution and transmission lines, service line laterals, valves, devices and related appurtenances associated with the District’s potable and reclaimed water systems. Work must be performed with a high degree of skill and precision and constant attention to the safety of other District staff and the public in a variety of environments, including confined work areas, around high voltage electric and high-pressure gas lines and other utility services, and under adverse conditions such as uneven terrain, steep slopes, mud and ice. Incumbents work with limited supervision and exercise considerable independent judgment in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of all equipment needed to complete tasks and responsibilities in accordance with District procedural requirements and all applicable permitting, environmental and safety mandates.
When assigned to a crew in the Distribution division, a Heavy Equipment Operator may be asked to perform the duties of a Distribution System Serviceperson II when not operating equipment. Incumbents may also fill in for a Distribution System Crew Leader in that individual’s absence.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.
Transports and operates a wide variety of light to heavy construction, commercial and specialty equipment and vehicles, including: excavators, trenchers, backhoes with attachments, front-end loaders, bobcats, boom trucks, knuckle boom trucks, forklifts, dump trucks, tractor-trailers, 10-wheelers, end dumps and tankers, vacuum trucks, valve trucks, street sweepers, graders, water trucks, skid steers, Ganon boxes, fork and man lifts and other equipment in accordance with District, DOT and OSHA standards, policies and regulations; conducts daily pre-operational safety inspections and performs preventative maintenance and minor repairs to equipment as required; while operating equipment, utilizes universal hand signals to communicate with other crew members or District staff regarding work tasks and required equipment operations; maintains vigilance in observing and ensuring the safety of crew members and the public around equipment being operated; observes stringent safety practices in working near asbestos concrete pipe; constantly observes the work environment to anticipate unsafe conditions and unstable surface/subsurface conditions for trenching and shoring.
Selects, uses and operates appropriate equipment, in accordance with operating instructions, weight limitations and capacities, to: excavate, trench, pothole, slope, bench, grade, smooth, backfill, compress and compact; install large shoring boxes; demolish and clean up; lift and place concrete traffic barriers, shoring devices, traffic plates, pipe, valves, vaults and well casings; transport Type II gravel, sand, asphalt, fittings and construction debris to and from job sites; wash down streets, wet soil and disinfect mains; and transport potable water to provide temporary water service during service interruptions; loads, secures and transports equipment ensuring proper load capacities and weight distribution, in compliance with DOT and OSHA load regulations; follows and enforces required traffic control procedures; operates equipment in a variety of job site environments, including confined/restricted work areas with blind spots, side walks, major streets, narrow streets and alleys, around high voltage electricity and high pressure gas lines and other utility services, and under adverse conditions, including uneven surfaces and terrain, steep slopes, over trenches, mud and snow/ice; performs site cleanups following main and service failures.
Establishes a safe work zone by coordinating required traffic control, dig safe and shut down procedures.
When assigned to the yard, receives deliveries, stacks and stockpiles Type II gravel, cold mix, sand and other materials; verifies vendor load receipts and scale tickets; notifies supervisor when reorders are necessary; operates equipment in tight spaces to properly load, tie down and secure materials, pipe, plates, shoring, valves, hydrants and other supplies on crew trucks in compliance with load requirements and safety regulations; operates vehicles to deliver equipment and stockpile supplies at satellite locations and when additional materials and equipment are needed at job sites; unloads vacuum trucks and screens and separates sludge and other materials in compliance with safety and environmental requirements; ensures screened materials meet standards for reuse, disposal or processing; maintains drying beds, optimizing the use of water in mixing materials to proper conditions for disposition; operates equipment to load drying bed materials for delivery to dump pits; ensures the safe operation of end dumps often under heavy traffic conditions; tracks the tonnage of screening materials and prepares reports to supervisor; pumps silt and waste from manholes and separators; operates equipment to grade, build and maintain roadways, grade reservoir tops, remove trees and stumps and clean debris from District facilities and drainage systems.
Operates heavy equipment attachments, compactors, hoe rams, slings and rigging, hoists, leverage bars and binders; operates a variety of locating, hand, and power tools.
When in the Distribution division and not assigned to operate equipment, performs the full range of journey-level skilled duties of a Distribution System Serviceperson II in the installation, repair and maintenance of service line laterals, water mains and associated distribution system facilities for potable water and reclaimed water system facilities; assists a crew leader with job-site coordination and providing on-the-job training of crew members on the use of specialized tools and equipment, procedures for completing specific tasks and safety/environmental procedures.
OTHER DUTIES
Determines materials required to complete work orders.
Inspects and tests shoring devices.
May develop and conduct backhoe and loader training and testing for Distribution division staff on the use characteristics, capacities and operations of construction equipment and tools used by the division; develops lesson plans and training materials.
May develop and conduct training for DMV Third Party Commercial Vehicle Certifications and Class A drivers licenses; provides training and testing on safety standards, policies and procedures, equipment inspection and operational practices for Class A commercial vehicles including instruction for in-yard and road maneuvers in various weather conditions; evaluates student performance and provides feedback to improve skills.
In the Distribution division, an HEO may be assigned to lead a crew in the absence of a supervisor or crew leader; oversees and ensures that crew members carry out assigned duties and responsibilities with careful attention to District and all other applicable safety and traffic regulations, including regulations regarding work on asbestos concrete pipe and reclaimed water system facilities; uses a laptop and applicable District specialized and business software to document work, submit work orders and complete and/or maintain other records and documents.
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Use characteristics, capacities and advanced operational practices for light to heavy construction and commercial equipment and vehicles similar to those used by the District in maintaining District facilities including its water distribution system; safety standards, policies and procedures applicable to various types of equipment operated; District policies and procedures and federal, state and local law and regulations applicable to load weights, traffic control, chlorinated water discharge, cross-connection prevention and dust control; rigging procedures and safety requirements; methods and techniques in the construction, repair and maintenance of a variety of District facilities and its distribution and transmission mains, service lines, valves and other devices and appurtenances; uses and operations of power and hand tools and equipment common to water utility industry construction and maintenance; shop mathematics; operations of a computer and related specialized and business software; basic principles and practices of employee training.
If assigned to the Distribution division, trenching and shoring methods and techniques applicable to a variety of soil conditions; basic operations and design of the District’s distribution system.
Ability to:
Observe, anticipate and evaluate job site conditions and hazards, determine operational methods and procedures and recommend or adopt effective courses of action; properly position equipment and manipulate controls to ensure smooth, efficient, safe operation of a variety of construction equipment relevant to work requirements and job site conditions; inspect and maintain equipment and vehicles; inspect rigging for conformance with OSHA and general industry standards; load and secure cargo to ensure proper weight distribution and safe transport; understand, interpret, explain and apply detailed work procedures and standards applicable to the use of equipment and vehicles to repair and maintain District facilities and install distribution system mains, service lines, valves and other devices and facilities; use PCs and laptop computers and specialized and business software to access, read and interpret plans, GIS maps and facility record drawings required to complete and report work performed; prepare clear and concise records, reports and other written materials; use independent judgment and exercise initiative within established guidelines; estimate necessary materials and equipment to complete assignments; communicate clearly and courteously with other District employees, contractors, vendors, property owners and the public; establish and maintain effective relationships with those encountered in the course of the work.
Training and Experience:
A typical way of obtaining the knowledges, skills and abilities outlined above is through three years of advanced journey-level experience in operations of light to heavy construction equipment and commercial vehicles similar to those used by the District. Experience in the maintenance, repair and construction of a water distribution system is highly desirable.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
A valid Nevada commercial driver's license, Class A with endorsements in compliance with Federal Motor Carrier safety regulations, and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
The following certifications may be required, depending on assignment:
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand, sit, and talk or hear in-person conversations or operating equipment sounds or signal warnings. The employee is regularly required to walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must recognize and respond to hand signals used in the operation of equipment at job sites.
Employees in this class are frequently required to wear respirators and other personal protective equipment. In accordance with OSHA regulations, employees are prohibited from having facial or head hair that impairs the effectiveness of respirator equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties of the class as they relate to this requirement.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; perform constant and detailed observations and interpretations of conditions and situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; highly detailed work under intensive deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with District staff, other organizations and the public. The employee is occasionally required to deal with dissatisfied or quarrelsome individuals.