Jobs and Careers

Heavy Equipment Operator - Water

City of Las Cruces

Las Cruces, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 9 Jul 2026

💰 $40,560/yr

About the role

Posting number: K011 07-26 MD

Department: Utilities

Job classification: Heavy Equipment Operator - Water

Posting type: Open

Categories: Trades, Water Agency, Miscellaneous, Utilities

Summary

Operates a wide variety of equipment for the installation, service, maintenance, and repair of water distribution service and other components of the distribution system to ensure efficient and effective services to the community.

Environmental Factors
Works is performed outdoors 95% and 5% indoors; exposure to all weather conditions, noise, dust, dirt, open manholes, street cave-ins, chemicals, gases, mechanical, electrical, explosive and burn hazards. Safety equipment required includes safety shoes, vest, ear plugs, sound attenuator, hard had, safety visor and gloves.
Physical Factors
Heavy physical work requires lifting items in excess of 90 pounds; balancing, bending, stooping, climbing, crouching, kneeling, squatting, reaching above shoulder height; pushing/pulling items in excess of 90 pounds; moving around construction sites with uneven terrain; uses a two-way radio; requires the ability to hear warning sounds.
Work Situation Factors
Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.

This recruitment will be used to fill a full-time, regular, non-exempt, union represented position in the Utilities Department, Water Distribution line of business but, may be utilized to fill other full-time and/or contract vacancies.

Position will be advertised as continuous until filled, with periodic review of applications.

Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt, Union Represented.

This position is graded at BC11.

Examples of duties

Operates, uses, and employs backhoe, tractor, truck, and other equipment required to perform exclusive activity to meet the need of the specific job and performs preventive maintenance and minor repair on equipment and systems.
Digs manholes for water systems; operates a pipe locator to locate meters, valve boxes, and manholes; transports and disposes of solid waste material collected from commercial and residential locations.
Respectfully interacts with the public to inform them of maintenance, repair, and installation activities; ensures work is completed with minimal disruption to services.
Ensures adherence to all traffic safety regulations and procedures at all times.
Participates with crew leaders and other crew members in the overall operation of the City water systems and infrastructure.
Responds to water emergencies by assessing the situation; coordinates work crews and completes the work.
Provides work direction and training to other crew members.
May operate a dump truck with a GVWR of 53,000 pounds and a 2.5 ton truck to transport equipment to the work site, an excavator for larger jobs which require digging deeper than 10 feet, and a fire truck used for water line cleaning and restoration.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: An employee in this class is distinguished from other equipment operating classes by its responsibility for operating a variety of equipment in order to install, maintain, and repair City water lines.

Qualifications

High School Diploma, GED AND four (4) years of experience in the construction/installation of water systems, which includes one (1) year of operating construction equipment. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Licenses/Certification(s)
Valid Class A commercial driver's license is required. NM Level II Water Certification required, NM Level lll Water Certification is desirable. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies.

Supplemental information

Knowledge of: OSHA and state safety regulations; operations, services and activities of a water distribution system; methods and techniques of general construction, maintena