Heavy Equipment Operator (0766)

Help protect one of Floridas most vital resources water with a career at theSouthwest Florida Water Management District (District).

The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources minimize flood risks and ensure the publics water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

District employees are offered an excellent total rewards package that includes:

• Mows and performs general maintenance of canals and waterways utilizing tractors batwing mowers front end loaders bulldozers and other types of heavy equipment.
• Mows and trims around fence lines gates and culverts utilizing zero turn mowers line trimmers equipment trailers and pickup trucks.
• Sprays herbicide to maintain fence lines gates riprap embankments and culverts.
• Operates chainsaws and other handheld equipment as required.
• Picks up and disposes of trash and debris.
• Operates tractor-trailers dump trucks heavy duty trucks and trailers to transport heavy equipment rock dirt and construction materials to job sites.
• Maintains District conservation lands utilizing harrow discs bush hog mowers bulldozers and other heavy equipment to maintain roads firebreaks creeks and natural systems.
• Participates in prescribed burning and wildfire suppression activities. Performs routine maintenance and makes minor repairs to the equipment operated.
• Operates maintains and transports heavy equipment; oversees and executes projects on District lands.
• Completes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers canal inspections and maintenance road grading culvert installation and low water crossings.
• Operates forestry equipment for various tasks including prescribed burning disking and chopping underbrush.
• Participates in all aspects of the Districts emergency operations during storm events wildfires and other declared emergencies.
• Operates loaders dozers excavators tractors transports graders skidders boom mower dump trucks light and heavy vehicles back-hoe skid steer gooseneck trailers and chainsaws.
• Enters data for timecards work orders vehicle/fuel logs reports e-mails and District Cyber training classes.
• Respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring response in support of District designated events.

Physical Visual Acuity Requirements: Heavy Work Vehicle Climbing Balancing Stooping Kneeling Crouching Crawling Reaching Standing Pushing Pulling Lifting Typing Grasping Feeling Talking Hearing Repetitive Motion.

Working Environmental Conditions: Outside Heat Noise Vibration Hazards Atmosphere Hiking Bites Remote Weather Driving Equipment Power Tools Wading Boating Fires Feral Aboveground.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee may be subject to call-in outside of regularly scheduled work hours or required to be on call including on nights weekends or holidays to respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring rapid response in support of District operations.

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Three (3) years related work experience
• Obtainment of a Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement within 1 (one) year of hire
• Valid IS-100 IS-200 IS-700 and NFES S130/190 and L-180 burn certificatewithin one year

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Four (4) years related work experience
• Valid Class A CDL
• CDL Tanker Endorsement within 6 (six) months
• Valid IS-100 IS-200 IS-700 and NFES S130/190 and L-180 burn certificatewithin one year

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Six (6) years related work experience
• Valid Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement
• Valid IS-100 IS-200 IS-700 NFES S130/190 and L-180 and Basic Fire Control Training Certificate or equivalent (Must obtain within 6 months of hire)
• Preferred Southern Area Engine Academy

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Six (7) years related work experience
• Valid Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement
• Valid IS-100 IS-200 IS-700 NFES S130/190 and L-180 and Basic Fire Control Training Certificate or equivalent (Must obtain within 6 months of hire)
• Preferred Southern Area Engine Academy

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete in full the District employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the required District application for the purpose of qualification. Applicants who are within 30 days of graduation if selected are not allowed to start until all minimum qualifications are met.

This position is typically scheduled to work 40 hours per week out of the Bartow FL Office. Occasional overtime and overnight travel is required. Employee may be required to work on nonscheduled workdays including weekends and holidays during declared emergencies or when the workload is such that it is required. This position is eligible for overtime for hours worked over 40 hours in a week.

The Heavy Equipment Operator is a safety sensitive position. As such the employee will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.

Yes. Extensive travel using a District vehicle within Districts coverage area.

Accepting applications until June 19 2026 at 4:00 PM

About Us

Managing the water resources for west-central Florida our district includes approximately 10000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 5 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users protect and preserve our water resources manage the water supply protect water quality and preserve water-related functions.

The District prides itself on providing a positive work flexible environment that engages and supports our employees. This could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Click on the link to apply and put yourself to work for our water resources.