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Equipment Operator

Renton, United States

Summary

King County Parks and Recreation has an outstanding career opportunity to join our Heavy Equipment Crew as an Equipment Operator!

Are you skilled at operating heavy equipment and ready to make a real impact in your community? Consider joining King County Parks as an Equipment Operator. While helping to maintain and improve our parks you will keep them safe, accessible, and beautiful for King County residents and visitors.

About the Role:

The Equipment Operator with King County Parks is a key contributor to the Heavy Equipment Crew (HEC) who provides maintenance, construction, and emergency response. This role operates and maintains heavy equipment to support large-scale projects such as trail building and restoration, slope mowing, drainage improvements, and habitat preservation—each with a direct, positive impact on the environment and community.

Working closely with a skilled crew, the Equipment Operator helps ensure that safety, training, and equipment standards are upheld while delivering high-quality public spaces that reflect the division’s values of equity, stewardship, and service. From upgrading recreational amenities to responding to urgent field needs, this position offers exciting challenges and meaningful work that supports the health and enjoyment of King County’s parks for generations to come.

About the Team:

Being an Equipment Operator for King County Parks is more than just a job—it's a chance to play a pivotal role in transforming and maintaining the county's cherished public spaces. You'll be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to community service and environmental stewardship, ensuring parks and trails remain safe, accessible, and vibrant for generations to enjoy. With diverse projects ranging from trail construction to habitat restoration, you'll experience hands-on work that makes a tangible difference. Additionally, this role offers opportunities to build skills, participate in teamwork, and contribute to initiatives that enhance the lives of residents and the beauty of the county's parks. If you're looking for meaningful work where every day brings new challenges and rewards, this is the perfect opportunity to make an impact!

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Equipment Operator career service positions within the Parks Division or throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six months.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Equipment Operator you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Parks Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Discover More About the Parks and Recreation Division: Visit our website and check us out atFacebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

Inspect, maintain, and perform minor repairs on assigned heavy equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Operate a variety of heavy machinery—including backhoe, track hoe, grader, road brooms, slope mowers, roller, and dozer—for park maintenance, construction, and facility upkeep.
Perform manual tasks using hand tools and power tools to support park maintenance and construction activities.
Follow and implement safe work practices and determine efficient methods for operating all County equipment.
Respond professionally to the public and assist during emergencies, equipment failures, or special onsite needs as required.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

Valid Washington State Driver’s License at the time of hire with defensive driving skills and the ability to safely operate heavy equipment—including backhoe, track hoe, front-end loader, rollers, slope mower, broom truck, dozer, and grader—in diverse environments such as parks and high-traffic areas.
Knowledge of construction and road-building materials, basic survey principles, traffic control methods, and environmental regulations related to heavy equipment operations.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, plans, specifications, and various road maps accurately.
Strong mechanical aptitude and skill in the use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and small hand tools.
Commitment to applying construction safety principles and practices consistently to ensure a safe work environment.
Effective communication and customer service skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a diverse, inclusive team.
Reliable attendance and a demonstrated commitment to behaviors that promote fairness, respect, and inclusiveness in the workplace.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to bend, kneel, stand, reach, climb, stoop, squat, push, twist, lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

Workplace Exposures:

This position requires the ability to work inside/outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, inclement weather while at various Parks facilities and in other adverse conditions such as high-volume noise, dust and heavy traffic.

Competencies You Bring:

Interpersonal Savvy: Relates openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
Values Differences: Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Optimizes Work Processes: Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
Situational Adaptability: Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

WA State Driver’s License

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

Proficiency in using software programs such as LUCITY asset management, Peoplesoft, and other applications for recordkeeping, timekeeping, and operational tasks.

Supplemental Information

Work Location: Central Maintenance Facility - Renton

Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. The regular schedule is Monday – Thursday, 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.

Union Representation: This position is represented by IUOE L302-Equip Operators

Application and Selection Process:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a:

Complete Application
Resume

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in an onsite skills assessment and panel interview. Please note, the skills assessment will involve operating heavy equipment (backhoe, excavator, and grader) and will take place mid-November in Renton, Washington.

The successful candidate will be required to complete professional reference check, criminal background check, driving record review, and pass a pre-employment physical before moving forward to hire.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Crystal Yost at cyost@kingcounty.gov.

Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X(formerlyTwitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

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