Equipment Operator II

Equipment Operator II at Kent State University

Kent Campus – Kent, OH

$21.46/hr – $22.41/hr (6‑month rate)

Maintains campus grounds to include snow and ice management, lawn maintenance, landscaping, leaf collection, excavation, tree‑work, etc. Provides functional guidance to Equipment Operator I’s.

• Operate equipment such as backhoe, excavator, compact tracked skid‑steer loader, zero‑turn mower, compact tractors, UTVs, dump trucks, snow plows, leaf collector, front‑end loaders, hydro‑seeder, refuse trucks, bucket truck, street sweeper.
• Provide functional guidance to Equipment Operator I’s, employees in a lower pay grade, or student employees as needed; may train and instruct on proper work procedures, assign and monitor work activities, and coordinate workflow and schedule to ensure deadlines are met.
• May work with university contractors.
• Perform snow and ice management, including spreading salt or sand, plowing snow, pre‑treating hardscape.
• Implement lawn maintenance tasks such as mowing, repairing grass (hydro‑seeding), and slope mowing.
• Create or reduce landscape beds, apply chemicals, install and repair hardscape.
• Collect and blow leaves.
• Assist in excavation work, including shoring, labor, measuring/spotting, and utility location.
• Plant, trim, and remove trees.
• Clean and repair streets, clean catch basins and exterior drains.
• Make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment; check and service equipment; grease and oil machinery; check tires and lights.
• Serve as first response to utility failures and/or repairs (water lines, steam lines, storm water piping, sanitary piping, electrical lines/conduit).
• Perform general labor and maintenance functions; load and unload freight; rigging; arrange stock in warehouse; repair guardrails; move equipment.
• Perform traffic control for roadway, utility and tree work zones.
• Perform departmental related duties as assigned.

• A high school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of two years of experience operating earthmoving (excavator), tracked (skid‑steer), snow management (dump truck with spreader), specialty (street sweeper), and other motorized equipment used in construction, repair, and maintenance of campus grounds and facilities.
• Proficiency in operating backhoes.
• Ability to work varied hours and shifts to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with proper endorsements and a safe driving record. CDL must be obtained or achieved within six months of hire. Individuals are subject to controlled substance/alcohol testing as required by federal regulations.

• Appropriate safety practices.
• Excavation procedures and best practices.
• Chainsaw operation and maintenance.
• Groundskeeping.
• Landscaping.

• Interpersonal communication to interact with University personnel and the public.
• Operating and maintaining various types of grounds maintenance equipment (mower, tractor, chainsaw, sod cutter, rotary tiller, snow thrower, dump truck, refuse truck, street sweeper, tracked skid‑steer, front end loader, bucket truck, backhoe, excavator, hydro‑seeder).
• Use of hand and power tools.
• Utilizing mobile and stationary computer devices for data input.

• Carry out or assist in implementing changes.
• Lift up to 100 pounds.
• Manage time effectively and set priorities.
• Operate two‑way radio.
• Perform basic mathematics (add, subtract, multiply, divide, calculate area and volume, percentages).
• Perform maintenance within the scope of the manager’s manual.
• Read and interpret building documents including construction drawings.
• Write work orders and logs, and accurately follow oral, written, and graphic instructions.
• Train and provide effective work direction to other employees.
• Work independently and with a team.
• Promote customer service.
• Work varied hours and shifts to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• One year of lead or working supervisor experience over an excavation crew.

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, or abilities which may require assessments. Assessments could take the form of interview questions, a request…