Operate construction and earth moving equipment identified on the Equipment Operator Class B and Class C lists.

This classification is distinguished from Equipment Operator 1 by the absence of regular assignment to operate Class A equipment.

Operate trucks, crawler tractors, power cranes, shovels, graders, and related equipment to move dirt, rock, equipment, passengers, and materials;

Operate bulldozer equipment in clearing land, logging, digging ditches, and building roadbeds; work grades from survey stakes and plans;

Operate acetylene and arc welding equipment; power, foot, and hand shears; hand brake; drill press; power punch; portable and bench buffers, grinders, and sanders; pneumatic hammers; and electric drills;

Operate 10-12 yard dump trucks with tilt bed trailers, load trucks;

Operate equipment to demolish and remove debris on construction and alteration projects; remove snow from streets, roads and parking lots;

Operate road watering, oiling and rolling equipment;

Grease, oil, service and make minor repairs to equipment; keep equipment in good working order; make emergency adjustments on equipment; assist mechanic in major repairs.

Knowledge of: rules of safe operation of equipment; state motor vehicle laws; materials used in servicing and maintaining heavy equipment; rules governing operation of state vehicles; methods, tools, and materials used in servicing and maintaining heavy equipment.

Ability to: operate heavy construction equipment in safe and skillful manner; make adjustments and repairs to equipment; follow oral and written instructions; keep simple records; work to grade.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Positions typically require three years of experience in the operation and maintenance of heavy equipment including operation of bulldozers, graders, excavators, cranes, or similar equipment; or, full journey status as a Heavy Equipment Operator by work experience, vocational or trade school apprenticeship program, or any combination of the above. An unrestricted motor vehicle operator’s license with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) may be required.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Revise class. Revises class code (formerly 618J), general revision; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007
(12/5/2007) Added equipment listing taken from merger spec (71190).
Revises class title (formerly Heavy Equipment Operator), definition, and distinguishing characteristics; adopted August 11, 2011, effective August 12, 2011.
Shadow class (Teamsters) established 6/29/2022, effective 7/1/2022. Skilled Craft Workers.



Class A, B, C and History:

The equipment list attached is not part of the Job Specifications adopted by the Office of Financial Management, State Human Resources. They can be modified by the Office of Financial Management, State Human Resources by agreement with any of the user agencies.

Equipment Operator 1
Class A


Truck with or without trailer (28,000 to 54,000 Gross Vehicle/Combination Weight). Examples: 5 to 12 yard Dump Trucks with or without snowplow and/or sanding equipment. Includes stakeside, flatbed or 1,000 to 2,499 gallon tank on truck.
Crawler tractors having less than 80 net flywheel horsepower. Examples: John Deere (JD) 450, Caterpiller (CAT) D-4, Case 850D or smaller.
Track loaders less than 70 net flywheel horsepower. Examples: JD 455, CAT 931C, Case 455C or smaller.
Wheel loaders less than 80 net flywheel horsepower. Examples: JD 344E, CAT 910F, Case W-11B or smaller.
All wheel or truck mounted hydraulic or cable cranes with 10,000 lbs. or less rated lift capacity.
Track or wheel mounted excavators under 15,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight. Examples: Mini excavators.
Rubber tired loader/backhoe combination less than 50 net flywheel horsepower or less. Example: Ford 4500.
Mower/brushcutters, tractor mounted, 110 net flywheel horsepower or less.
Motorized compactor/roller, single or double drum.
All Miscellaneous type equipment such as: sawmills, logskidders, snow cats, under 100 net flywheel horsepower, and stump grinders.
Note: All references to Gross Vehicle Weight and Gross Combination Weight relate to allowable highway G.V.W. or G.C.W.

Equipment Operator 1 and 2
Class B

Trucks or semi-tractor (5th wheel)/trailer combinations more than 54,000 Gross Combination Weight.
Wheel or truck mounted hydraulic or cable cranes between 10,000 and 20,000 lbs. rated lift capacity. Examples: Track, wheel, or truck mounted.
Track loaders more than 70 net flywheel horsepower. Examples: JD 555G, CAT 935C, Case 855 or larger.
Wheel loaders more than 80 net flywheel horsepower. Examples: JD 444E, CAT 918F, Case W-14C or larger.
Crawler tractors having 80 or more net flywheel horsepower. Examples: JD 650, CAT D-4H, Case 1050E or larger.
Tracked or wheel mounted excavators under 26,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight. Examples: JD 80, 110, Cat311 or smaller.
Snow cats having 100 or more net flywheel horsepower.
All motorized graders.
All motorized scrapers.
Rubber tired loader/backhoe combination 51 net flywheel horsepower or more. Examples: JD 310, CAT 416B, Case 580 or larger.
Rotary snow plow with 7 ft. cut or wider.
Wagon drills.
Equipment Operator 2
Class C


Semi-tractor/trailer low boy combination (5th wheel) or “Pup Trailer” exceeding 80,000 Gross Combination Weight.
Wheel or truck mounted hydraulic or cable cranes with greater than 20,000 lbs. rated lift capacity.
Track or wheel mounted excavators over 26,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight. Examples: JD 120, 160, 200, CAT312, 315, 320 or larger.
All vessels 40 ft. and above.
Note: All references to Gross Vehicle Weight or Gross Combination Weight relate to allowable highway Gross Vehicle Weight or Gross Combination Weight.

List History:
Revised February 4, 2014

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.