Heavy Equipment Operator - Maintenance Mechanic 3 - Permanent - 2 Openings - 2025-06257

Title- Heavy Equipment Operator

Classification- Maintenance Mechanic 3 (MM3)

Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent

Number of Vacancies- Two (2)

WDFW Program- Capital and Asset Management Program (CAMP) – Lacey Construction Shop
Duty Station- Lacey, Washington – Thurston County

Posting Timeframe- This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until October 5, 2025. The first review of applications will take place on September 19, 2025. Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible, recruitment may be closed at any time.

Please Note- This position requires a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) at the time of application.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Restoration Project – Photo Credit: WDFW

Join our team at the Capital and Asset Management Program, where we provide essential engineering, construction, and maintenance services to support the agency’s facilities, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

With your expertise in operating heavy machinery, you will skillfully maneuver machinery around sensitive utilities and structures while providing support to projects.

Drawing on your knowledge of ground construction, you’ll contribute to efforts such as maintaining gravel roads, fish transport, pipeline repairs and replacements, sediment removal at hatchery intake structures, and even bridge installations of up to 60 feet.

Your work will directly support wildlife, fisheries, and the public, while helping the Department achieve its goals.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within these roles, the Heavy Equipment Operators will,

Operate Heavy Equipment:

• Expertly operate construction and earth moving equipment, including: 
  • Excavators of various sizes.
  • Track loaders more than 70 net flywheel horsepower.
  • Wheel loaders more than 80 net flywheel horsepower.
  • Rollers.
  • Rubber tired loader/backhoe combination 51 net flywheel horsepower.
• Operate laser levels to shoot grades and establish various elevations of a jobsite, correct, or maintain grade/elevations.
• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, sketches, and specifications.
• Read grading plans and cut and fill stakes.
• Provide expertise in the recommendations of material and equipment staging, utility location, etc.
• Locate underground utilities and obstructions, such as pipes and wires, prior to commencement of work.

Truck Driving:

• Operate vehicles rated at 80,000 Gross Combined Weight (GCW) or more, including semi-tractor/trailer equipment.
• Operate trucks with lowboy trailers and 12-yard dump trucks to spread aggregate on road base.
• Load, unload, and transport equipment, materials, and supplies.

Fish Transport:

• Operate water tankers up to 6,000 gallons to safely transport live fish statewide.  
• Disinfect tankers after each fish transfer to prevent the spread of disease.
• Monitor live fish during transport, installing and maintaining liquid oxygen tanks.
• Perform water quality tests to ensure dissolved oxygen levels are maintained.

Plumbing:

• Install, maintain, and repair culverts, catch basins, sanitary and stormwater sewers, and domestic water piping.
• Cut, align, and position pipes for welding or sealing.
• Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels and lasers.
• Inspect water mains, fixtures, and valves; perform repairs such as disassembling valves, replacing parts, reassembling, and testing.

• Diagnose and repair problems in the field with vehicles and equipment.
• Perform fabrication and body work while using equipment such as oxyacetylene, arc welders, and grinding wheels.
• Complete body work to damaged vehicles from start to finish.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Duties are performed at construction sites in the Hatcheries and Wildlife Areas, and on occasion in an office setting.
• Hazards include working on rough terrain, riverbanks, slippery slopes, and other surfaces, confined and difficult to reach spaces, and all types of weather conditions, including extreme heat, rain, or snow.
• Bend, stoop, squat, twist, push, pull, and occasionally lift 50 pounds repetitively when loading/unloading trucks or moving materials around a project site.
• Operate motor vehicles in hazardous weather conditions, such as snow and ice while on mountain passes, highways, and paved/unpaved roads.
• This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. 

Schedule:

Typically, Monday-Thursday, 6:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Work additional hours as needed/requested. May include overnight stays and evening and weekend work.

Travel Requirements:

Travel required 60-80% depending on season.

Tools and Equipment:

Basic hand tools, power tools such as drills, roto hammers, cut off saws, circular saws, hydraulic punch, metal band saws, welders, cutting torch, plasma cutter, chainsaws, powered motors, automotive equipment, trailers, trucks, and other equipment.

Customer Interactions:

Frequent interactions varying between Federal, Local, Inter-Agency, and Intra-Agency customers and vendors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1:

• Four (4) years of general work experience in building and equipment maintenance, construction or repair work.
• Two (2) years of experience operating heavy equipment, such as excavators, dozers, and backhoes.

Please Note: Experience may be gained concurrently.

Option 2:

• Completion of a recognized apprenticeship in a skilled mechanic trade.
• Two (2) years of experience operating heavy equipment, such as excavators, dozers, and backhoes.

AND all of the following:

Ability to: 

• Read and interpret blueprints, sketches, and verbal instructions.
• Order parts, materials, and equipment.
• Operate heavy construction equipment safely and skillfully. 
• Perform adjustments, and repairs to equipment. 
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Maintain basic records.
• Work to grade.

Knowledge of:

• Rules of safe operation of equipment.
• State motor vehicle laws.
• Materials, methods, tools, and procedures used in servicing and maintaining heavy equipment.
• Rules governing the operation of state vehicles.

Certifications/Licenses:

• A valid driver’s license recognized in the state of Washington and an acceptable driving record.
• Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) endorsement with current Medical Examiner’s Certificate.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Boom Truck Qualification.
• Tanker Endorsement.
• Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) Certification.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union- WFSE: 

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).  This recruitment may be used to fill positions in addition to those listed.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-06257.

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