About the role
Stormwater Gradall Operator (Stormwater Lead Journeyman)
Location: 22211 US Highway 19, Clearwater, FL
Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. or Tuesday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Put Your Heavy Equipment Skills to Work in Stormwater!
Pinellas County Public Works is seeking an experienced heavy equipment operator to support stormwater drainage maintenance, ditch shaping, and repair using specialized equipment, including Gradall, Spider/walking excavators, and long-arm excavators.
You'll also lead field crews, perform physically demanding outdoor work, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards while maintaining safe work sites. Your work will help keep our community's stormwater drainage systems functioning effectively to reduce flooding and protect our roads and neighborhoods.
Why Choose Pinellas County?
- Great Benefits: Florida Retirement System (FRS), paid holidays, annual leave, and personal leave.
- Work-Life Balance: Four-day workweek with three days off each week.
- Career Advancement: Training and development opportunities to expand your skills and pursue advancement into higher-level operator and crew leadership positions.
- Make a Difference: Help protect our roads, neighborhoods, and community from flooding.
Put your skills to work. Build your career with Pinellas County!
What Would You Do?
- Supervises crews and equipment engaged in construction, maintenance, traffic safety, and repair work involving drainage
- Performs maintenance and repair of Pinellas County stormwater Drainage systems.
- Ensures TTC/MOT is properly set up and maintained in accordance with FDOT standards, modifies plans to fit specific job site conditions to ensure public and worker safety;
- Completes assigned work and updating labor hours, equipment usage, materials, and other resources in the work management system
- Provides on‑the‑job training across assigned equipment and tools, including dump truck operation, front‑end loader operation, proper hand and power tool operation (pole saw/power pruner, chainsaw, weed eater, blower, saws‑all, grease gun, etc.), and BMPs;
- Determines required equipment, materials, personnel, and ditch/swale shape based on right‑of‑way conditions
- Ensures 811 utility locates are completed and coordinates with utility companies and Pinellas County Utilities when conflicts or unmarked utilities occur;
- Determines when tree trimming or removal is needed to maintain stormwater flow;
- Arranges for vacation/sick relief; reviews and approves timecards, provides instructions and advice on complex problems;
- Requests and assists in coordinating use of specialized equipment in assigned areas such as a heavy equipment operation;
- Prioritizes, assigns, and schedules work projects for stormwater services; receives work orders, determines resources and crew size, and assigns work to appropriate specialty units;
- Maintains and monitors comprehensive records of work orders, scheduled completion dates, work progress, and delays and adjusts dates to reflect current status;
- Trains staff in safety methods; ensures proper calibration, operation, and maintenance of assigned equipment.;
- Contacts the public in areas where crews are working, coordinates work on private property when necessary, explains work being performed and responds to complaints;
- Communicates and coordinates work with other departments;
- Assists other departments when necessary;
- Sets up, maintains, and distributes sandbags at designated sites;
- Performs other related job duties as assigned.
What Do You Need to Have?
- Three (3) years of experience in public works, utilities, general construction, or maintenance, including heavy equipment operation (e.g., Gradall, Spider/walking excavators, long-arm excavators, or similar equipment) and lead worker experience, supervisory experience, or supervisory training. Must include at least one (1) year of drainage maintenance experience; OR
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
- Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
Special Qualifications:
Possession and maintenance of a valid Florida Commercial Driver’s License A.
Florida Stormwater Association Certified Stormwater Operator Level 1 or higher.
OSHA 30 Hour General Construction Card.
FDOT Intermediate Temporary Traffic Control certification.
Must be certified to safely operate assigned equipment, including Gradall, Spider (walking excavator), and Longarm Excavator.
Highly Desirable:
Equipment Operation: Experience operating heavy equipment, specifically a Gradall.
Leadership: Experience supervising and leading a team engaged in stormwater maintenance or construction projects.
Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of stormwater drainage principles, methods, materials, and equipment.
Licenses/Qualifications: Possess job-related licenses or qualifications required as a prerequisite to appointment, or the ability to obtain the required licenses or qualifications.
Our benefits rank among the top in the area!
Looking for a strong retirement? We have you covered as members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) with investment and pension options.
We have deferred compensation programs and wellness centers to name a few perks. Check out these and more!
Want to Learn More?
Please review the full classification description with the Physical/Mental Demands, Working Conditions, and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities at the below link.