What does an Equipment Operator do?

Equipment operators work for local governments or public works departments to help with road repair, maintain sewage lines, collect garbage and recyclables or operate street sweepers. An equipment operator needs to know how to use the equipment and make sure the job is done in a safe manner. They often work in teams, meaning they must have good communication skills and feel comfortable reporting any equipment malfunctions to supervisors.   

Equipment Operator’s skills and qualifications

A successful equipment operator should have the following skills and qualifications:

• Technical knowledge of how to properly use equipment needed for the job.
• Ability to quickly learn how to operate different types of machinery, vehicles or equipment.
• Expert knowledge of what is needed for the various jobs.
• Excellent oral communication skills with close attention to detail.
• Understanding of how to conduct pre-operational checks on equipment and how to maintain them.
• Understanding of all safety requirements for the job site.

Equipment Operators experience requirements

A successful candidate for an equipment operator should have experience working with different equipment and vehicles. They should also have background knowledge of the different types of job sites they might work on and how to keep the job site safe. A successful equipment operator should also have experience working as part of a team and report any issues that might arise to supervisors.

Equipment Operator’s education and training requirements

Equipment operators or public works equipment operators should have completed secondary school or equivalent. They also need a lot of on-the-job training so that they know how to use different equipment. Having a valid driver’s licence for the operation of larger vehicles might be needed depending on the location.

Excavator Operator salary expectation

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an equipment operator is $30.84 per hour. Salaries for an equipment operator are dependent on experience, location and company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If an equipment operator job description is not quite what you are looking for, check out these similar positions that can be found here.

• Construction Worker
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Equipment Operator Job Description FAQs

What qualities make a good equipment operator?

A good equipment operator or public works equipment operator is someone who has expert knowledge on how to use the equipment. They should be able to work as part of a team that works efficiently no matter what type of job they may be doing. An equipment operator should also know to maintain the equipment and keep a safe work environment.

What are the day-to-day duties of an equipment operator?

Equipment operators or public works operators work different jobs needed to help maintain the local area. They start their day by checking their equipment to ensure it is safe to use. They then go to the job site and communicate with supervisors about what needs to be done and when. If anything goes wrong or a piece of equipment is malfunctioning, they must immediately tell their supervisor so that the job site stays safe.

What should you look for in an equipment operator resume?

When looking at an equipment operator’s resume, you want to see what type of machinery and vehicles they know how to operate. This will tell you whether the type of experience they have is similar to your department’s jobs. You also need to look at how long they have been an equipment operator or public works equipment operator. People with more experience will need less training, which could be good when looking for a new employee.

What makes a good equipment operator job description?

A good equipment operator job description would explain the types of equipment candidates should know how to use. This will stop people who are not qualified from applying. There should also be a clear description of the main jobs that the equipment operator will be doing.