Equipment Operator III

Examination Date

Week of June 29, 2026

Civil Service Board Office

371 West Second Street, Lower Level

Dayton, Ohio 45402


* Certified candidates will be sent an email containing specific exam details at a later date.

Responsibilities

Incumbent may be assigned to any of the City Departments listed below based on operational need and availability:

Public Works

Responsible for the safe and efficient operation, cleaning, maintenance and routine running repair of heavy construction equipment including bulldozers, small crane/trucks, large trenchers, earth loaders and street cleaning equipment. Operates road grader, self-propelled asphalt paver, cold road grinder, hydraulic backhoes, heavy loader (tracked and rubber tired), heavy roller and related equipment in scarifying or digging up blacktop, laying up windrows and roughly finish grading streets, planning ridges, rolling for compaction in preparation for oiling and blacktopping.

Operates heavy equipment as necessitated to: fill trenches, grade river banks, grade and pile topsoil, demolish structures, pile clay for ball diamonds, conduct stump removal, rough and finish grading roads and parking lots, push in landfills, and develop playground areas.

Water Department

Responsible for operating a wide variety of heavy equipment to support departmental operations. This includes tractors, skid steers, backhoes, dump trucks, crane trucks, combination vehicles with trailers, bulk tankers, and hydro excavators, as well as specialized machinery such as boom trucks, pump rigs, air compressors, and sewer maintenance equipment. Duties involve tasks related to the construction and maintenance of sewers, sewage pumping stations, and related structures and facilities.

Aviation

The incumbent is responsible for operating and maintaining a variety of heavy equipment in support of airport maintenance operations, including tractors, brush hogs, skid steers, backhoes, dump trucks, front-end loaders, street sweepers, and snow removal equipment such as plows, brooms, blowers, and spreaders. The role requires strict compliance with all FAA and TSA regulations, as well as airport-specific rules. Employees assigned to the airport must obtain and annually maintain proficiency certification for airfield movement area driving and communication.

Clear and effective communication using City and Air Traffic Control radios is essential. The employee may also be assigned duties related to maintaining the safety and security of the airfield in accordance with federal regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

Education
Graduation from high school (or G.E.D.).

Experience

Must meet one of the following requirements:

Two years of experience with the City of Dayton as an Equipment Operator II, Tree Servicer I, or Grounds Maintenance Worker, or a combination of 2 years in any one of these classifications; OR

Three years of experience with the City of Dayton as an Equipment Operator I, Bridge Maintenance Worker I, or Water & Sewer Worker II, or a combination of 3 years in any one of these classifications; OR

Four years of certifiable experience in the operation of heavy equipment. Examples of heavy equipment include graders, bulldozers, heavy loaders, asphalt pavers, road grinders, large trenchers, or earth loaders.

License Requirements

At time of appointment, must possess and maintain a valid Ohio Class A Commercial Driver's License (C.D.L.), including the qualification to operate a vehicle with air brakes and any other endorsements required by the State of Ohio, as a term and condition of continued employment. Out of state residents must have equivalent licenses from their state of residence.

• Within 150 days of appointment, as a term of continued employment, employees within this classification must obtain certification approved by the city for the backhoe and rubber tire loader in Public Works or Water Departments only. Additional training, certifications, and proficiency on varying pieces of equipment as specified by their assigned department.

• Employees promoted or transferring to Public Works or Water must complete certification, within 150 days of appointment of the backhoe and rubber tire loader.

Promotional…