Heavy Construction Equipment Operator - Facilities Management and Development

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Landscape Manager and with lead direction from the Lead Groundsworker, the Heavy Construction Equipment Operator is responsible for operating heavy trucks, tractor-trucks and heavy construction equipment, which can be operated only by a highly skilled operator. Heavy equipment may include large track-type tractors (Cat D-6 or larger), large earth-moving equipment, motor graders, cranes, heisters, large loaders (usually over 1 ½ cubic yard capacity), forklifts (including 2 ½ ton capacity), trenching machines (over 30” depth), large backhoes, large bulldozers, asphalt paving machines, and large rollers (eight ton and over) used for improvement or new construction of campus utilities, roads, parking lots, building site preparation and other landscape areas as well as large tow trucks and tractor semi-trailer combinations used for hauling extremely heavy machinery and other materials. While assigned to operate equipment, this position may also perform incidental laboring tasks, as needed.

Department Summary

Facilities Management and Development (FMD), a unit within the Administration and Finance Division (AFD), is responsible for the planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance, and repair of university facilities, grounds, and infrastructure. FMD consists of four critical and interdependent support departments, including Customer & Business Services; Energy, Utilities, & Sustainability; Facilities Planning & Capital Projects; and Facilities Operations. In support of the Cal Poly mission, the Facilities Management and Development department is committed to sustainability, responsible stewardship of natural resources, and promoting an inclusive culture that values individual and organizational integrity, civility, equity, and diversity.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge of the rules of safe driving and the provisions of the State of California Vehicle Code pertaining to operation of heavy construction vehicles.
• Knowledge of State of California General Industrial Safety orders related to the position, particularly those related to vehicle and equipment operation, construction methods and practices, lifting and moving of heavy loads, and standard heavy equipment methods and techniques for earth movement and excavation.
• Demonstrated ability to operate heavy construction vehicles and equipment safely and recognize safety hazards and follow practices and laws to ensure safety.
• Ability to follow manuals and guidelines pertaining to operation of State vehicles.
• Ability to load and unload vehicles correctly and safely.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to one year of heavy equipment operation, including regular or intermittent operation of vehicles, preferably related to heavy construction such as large track-type tractors, large tow trucks, tractor semitrailer combinations, bulldozers, or land planes and involving routine service and minor maintenance of the vehicles operated.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $52,000 - $70,000 per year

Classification Range: $48,132 - $86,328 per year

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu .

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.

Advertised: Jul 01 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

• 

• California Polytechnic State University

• 805-756-2236

Show more