Heavy Equipment Operator Cherokee Turnpike; Rose, OK

Heavy Equipment Operator Cherokee Turnpike (Rose, OK)

Full‑time position: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, located on the Cherokee Turnpike in Rose, Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) seeks a Heavy Equipment Operator to help maintain and repair the turnpike system. The role involves operating power equipment and performing related tasks in the maintenance and repair of highways.

• Operate equipment or heavy machinery such as trucks, tractors, road graders, dozers, front‑end loaders, cranes, backhoes, paint machines, semi‑trailers, snow removal equipment and other equipment as needed.
• Perform minor repairs and maintenance on equipment and facilities.
• Repair failures in roadway shoulders or bridge decks.
• Repair and/or replace signs, posts, guardrails and fences.
• Provide traffic control assistance using a stop/slow sign or flag to direct highway traffic.
• Apply herbicide to highway rights‑of‑way to control weeds and other unwanted vegetation.
• Remove debris including tires, animal carcasses, spilled items and other obstacles.

• Frequently required to stand, walk and reach; talk and hear.
• Routinely sit; manipulate or feel objects, tools or controls; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Regularly lift 80 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Vision requirements: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

• Level I – No education or experience requirements.
• Level II – One year of experience operating heavy equipment (preferably in road construction/maintenance) and possession of a current Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Level II can be promoted after obtaining the CDL within the first six months and meeting additional experience requirements.

• Level I – $20.50 per hour ($42,630 annually).
• Level II – $23.77 per hour ($49,455 annually).

• Knowledge of the operation and servicing of equipment or heavy machinery used in highway construction and maintenance.
• Knowledge of materials used in highway construction and maintenance and of proper highway traffic control during maintenance operations.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment or machinery used in highway construction and maintenance; to use highway construction and maintenance materials; to follow instructions; and to communicate effectively.
• Must possess or obtain a commercial driver’s license, Class A, no later than five months from the date of appointment.
• Willingness to perform all job‑related travel normally associated with this position; to work hours other than regular shifts during emergencies; and possession of a working telephone to receive emergency on‑call duty messages.

• Generous annual benefit allowance: up to $21,934 to cover insurance premiums.
• Comprehensive insurance plans with no pre‑existing condition exclusions.
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care.
• Retirement savings plans:
• Pathfinder Defined Contribution Plan:
  Employer matches 6% of a minimum 4.5% employee contribution (up to 7% if the employee contributes 7%).
• OPERS Defined Benefit Plan:
  Available for reenrollment to employees reenrolled prior to November 1, 2015.
• Paid leave: 15 days annually during the first 1–5 years of service; 18 days during 5–10 years; 20 days during 10–20 years; 25 days after 20 years.
• Sick leave: accrued at 15 days per year.
• Paid maternity leave for eligible employees.
• Eleven paid holidays annually.
• Employee discounts with various vendors and companies.
• Longevity payment: monetary rewards beginning at two years of service.
• Thrive: program to enhance employee well‑being.

OTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request. The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability. OTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.