Equipment Operator

Date Opened: Wednesday, October 08, 2025 12:00 AMClose Date: Sunday, November 02, 2025 12:00 AMDepartment: Transportation DepartmentEquipment OperatorsSalary: $23.00 - $23.40 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our Guiding Principles Include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce
• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development
• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services
• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems
• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

Summary

This position is responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of various traffic control devices, with a primary focus on detector loops, light construction, and related specialized equipment. The role involves assisting crews with tasks such as installing underground piping, constructing concrete bases for controller and pedestrian signal boxes, and installing underground pull boxes and loop detectors. It also requires operating specialized equipment and hand tools commonly used in the traffic control trade. Additionally, this position may involve working in other sections or on specialized projects as needed.

Major Duties And Responsibilities:

1. Safely operate and maintain a concrete saw to cut asphalt and concrete surfaces for the installation of vehicle detection loops, ensuring precise measurements and compliance with all safety and quality standards.
2. Connect/splice detector loops to lead in wires.
3. Operate a variety of specialized detector loops equipment and tools.
4. Operate various construction equipment and machinery (e.g., skid steer, trencher, jackhammer, or other related tools) as needed to support traffic signal and construction projects, while following all safety procedures and project specifications.
5. Load and unload materials, supplies, and equipment.
6. Ensure all related detector loops tasks are completed correctly and efficiently.
7. Maintain detailed work records including maintenance forms, inventory forms, vehicle inspection forms, daily work logs, and other documentation.
8. Set up temporary traffic control, safety cones, and signs according to the CDOT WATCH handbook, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), and specialized training.
9. Maintain a safe work environment by following appropriate procedures, utilizing personal protective equipment, and recognizing and reporting unsafe conditions and actions.
10. In the absence of the Labor Crew Chief II, oversee crew responsibilities including but not limited to safety, inventory, working logs, and equipment; interpret signal plans and work orders to determine and confirm proper placement of traffic control devices.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• Two (2) years of experience in construction, heavy equipment, or traffic control devices
• Class A CDL
• Ability to obtain a City of Charlotte Driving Permit

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with work hazards, safety precautions, and OSHA regulations preferred.
• Computer experience preferred; including but not limited to typing, word documents, spreadsheets, and work order management systems.

Knowledge, Abilities, And Skills:

• Ability to read and write; including following signal plans that are provided.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• General knowledge of methods, practices, procedures, work hazards, and equipment used to maintain traffic control devices and construction.
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems related to the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices with limited supervision from the Field Engineering & Operations Supervisor and Crew Chief.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods, sometimes under unfavorable weather conditions.
• Ability to work as a team for various types of traffic projects.
• Ability to read and interpret signal plans provided by traffic engineers.
• Knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and standard practices for the installation, operation, and maintenance of traffic control systems.
• Knowledge of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control (MUTCD).
• Knowledge of hazards and safety precautions involved with working with heavy equipment and working in and around vehicle traffic.

Physical Requirements:

· Bending/Twisting

• Walking (3 miles)
• Shoveling (3ft., 20-25 lbs)
• Carrying (20 ft., 2-90 lbs)

· Sitting

· Standing

· Kneeling/Squatting

· Pushing/Pulling

· Reaching

· Crawling

• Climbing (10 ft)
• Lifting (3 ft., 20-100 lbs.)
• Work outside in varying environments, exposed to chemicals, excessive noises, fumes, solvents, and dust.
• May climb ladders, work on slippery and uneven surfaces, work in confined spaces, and use vibrating tools.
• Work in traffic; walk in and around moving vehicles and equipment.

Sensory Requirements:

· Touch

· Hearing

· Vision (distance, near, and peripheral)

· Depth Perception

· Color Distinction

Work Environment:

• Work may require shift, irregular, or overtime hours determined at the discretion of the supervisor.
• Outdoor environment - working in various weather conditions and in unconditioned warehouse facilities will be required as needed.

Conditions Of Employment

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

How To Apply

Apply Online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

Benefits

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.