Lead Equipment Operator

This classification performs defined responsibilities related to the operation of vehicles and/or heavy equipment of various sizes and complexity, and on various levels of projects. Incumbents may be assigned to operate a single or multiple types of heavy equipment and may work on defined tasks or multiple phases of a project. This classification may set up the worksite and/or leads a crew based on the campus and project assignment. Full-time, regular position, 40 hours per week, 5 days per week. Normal daily work hours are Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This position pays $26.64/hour.
 

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Trailer excavator to job sites
• Snow removal
• Landscaping and lawnmowing
• Event Set up and tear down
• Line striping
• Office moves
• Asphalt patching
• General Earth work 
• Write Estimates
• Demolition 
• Manual Labor
• Maintaining Catch Basins
• Oversee maintenance needs of equipment, log maintenance and fleet needs by reviewing logs to ensure accuracy, requesting equipment needs, and scheduling maintenance
• Read and interpret blueprints for site work and safety compliance, ensure Federal and State regulations are implemented
• Proper setting up work site
• Inspecting work of other Equipment Operators to ensure they can proceed
• Inspecting and maintaining their equipment; related duties in support of other departments
• Provide work direction and review to tea of Equipment Operators
• Provides dig safe instructions on site, directing crew, determines flow of work, safety follow-ups, inspect work of others
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level

About the University:
The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu. 

The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. 

UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Visit the Maine Office of Tourism to learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer.

Qualifications:
Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D)
• (Class A) Commercial Driver’s License 
• Five years of heavy equipment operation experience
• Exposure to OSHA (State and Federal), NIOSH, DOT confined space regulations
• Trailering excavator experience

Skills:

• Customer service principles
• Procedures for operating, inspecting, maintaining, and storing assigned equipment
• Traffic laws and regulations governing equipment operation
• Occupational hazards involved and the safety precautions necessary to the proper operation of assigned motorized equipment; use of assigned tools/equipment
• Procedures and techniques involved in assigned work processes
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints
• Occupational requirements per OSHA, DOT, etc.
• Identifying equipment malfunctions
• Maintaining records and reports, if required
• Providing training to other employees, if required
• Performing heavy manual labor for extended periods of time, often under unfavorable conditions

Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, fingering, feeling, talking, hearing,  seeing and repetitive motions. 

Heavy work: The ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Lifting and exerting forces more than 50 pounds requires assistance by other employee(s) or mechanical assistance. Individual forces must never exceed 50 pounds. 

Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, wetness, humidity, fire, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, difficult driving conditions, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, intense noises and travel. 

Ability to conform to Federal DOT drug and alcohol testing rules and regulations. Ability to work long hours as needed (snow removal and emergency situations) as directed.
 

Other Information: 

Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. EST on October 19, 2026.

For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Jodi Munster at [email protected] or 581-2720.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening and post offer physical.