OPS Heavy Equipment Operator

Requisition No: 883947

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - 42903003

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42903003

Salary: $18.75/Hourly

Posting Closing Date: 10/15/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool OPS HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Florida Forest Service

OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY -- THIS IS A FULL-TIME OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES (OPS) POSITION

Contact:

Leah Kincaid (850) 681-5873

Minimum Requirements

A high school diploma or its equivalent.

NOTE: ALL POSITIONS WITHIN THIS CLASS REQUIRE POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVER LICENSE.

Attention Candidates

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Additional Requirements

The incumbent must obtain a Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL), with tanker endorsement within six (6) months of appointment. The Florida Forest Service will cover the majority of the cost associated with attaining the required CDL training and the initial CDL test when administered at an agency authorized CDL training center.

The incumbent of this position is subject to pre-employment, post accident, random and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing, and the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations, Title 49, Part 382, CFR.

Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment in the position in accordance with Section 112.0455 F.S. “Drug Test” means any chemical, biological or physical instrumental analysis administered for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a drug or its metabolites.

Occasional to moderate travel required.

Position may respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or other type incidents requiring travel, as needed.

Notes

To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position.

Successful applicant with a current Commercial Driver’s License must pass a query of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

4 ten-hour days (Monday – Thursday)

Job Duties

This is a skilled position responsible for statewide road construction, maintenance and improvements on state forests and other publicly owned lands managed by the Florida Forest Service.

Responsible for operating heavy equipment in the construction, improvement and maintenance of forest roads, culverts, bridges, streamside erosion control, road closures and permanent boundary and fire lines. Operates heavy equipment in carrying out various forest management practices. Performs activities and operates equipment necessary to maintain road shoulders and to remove and dispose of roadside vegetation and brush that limits forest sign visibility and vehicle access to recreation area and public right-of-ways.

Responsible for coordination and operation of road tractors to transport heavy equipment, vehicles, federal excess property and construction materials to destinations throughout Florida, as well as, destinations out-of-state.

Responsible for coordinating and performing routine preventive maintenance and minor mechanical repairs to the fleet of road and forest equipment assigned to this unit.

Responsible for assisting, as needed, with the maintenance and upkeep of various state forest recreation areas.

Responsible for monitoring, coordinating and responding to forest visitor inquiries for information. Provides information, brochures and maps relating to forest road conditions, legal access, recreation areas, campgrounds, silvicultural activities, etc. Assists as necessary in installation and maintenance of vehicle and visitor information signs and kiosks.

Performs other related duties as required.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida as an OPS employee is more than just a paycheck.

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*);
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b). For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com;
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). For more information visit Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan (Does not apply to previous FRS Retirees);
• Flexible Spending Accounts; For more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com;
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to People First at 877-562-7287 or go to: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/myhealth/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees

Special Notes

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.