TxDOT Heavy Equipment Operators: Is This Job Right For You?

It may be a cliché, but it's still true that big trucks fascinate many people. Social media often features photos of small boys enthralled by big trucks working nearby. And there's even a heavy equipment playground for grownups called "Dig This" in Las Vegas, Nevada, that (for a fee) lets grown-ups operate bulldozers, loaders and excavators for fun.

In the construction business, those big trucks on construction sites are known as maintainers, rollers, graders, backhoes ... or a variety of other names. They're collectively classified as heavy equipment, and each has a specific function. Each piece is needed daily by TxDOT to get the job done in maintaining and constructing roads. And here's the big secret: heavy equipment operators are in demand, and they make a pretty good living.

But how does someone interested in the work learn to operate those rigs to be able to make a living doing it?

TxDOT personnel use a lift truck as part of a remodeling effort on a safety rest area on I-35 betwen Abbott and Hillsboro.

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"Every few months, my section hires a new employee," says Rick Swinson, McLennan County Maintenance Supervisor. "Sometimes we need to hire an entry-level person without experience whom we train, and other times we need someone with one or two years of experience. Employees certainly have the chance to move up."

Swinson says the entry-level to experienced positions of general transportation technicians make $2,000 to $3,500 per month. Those positions might first include driving a truck for the many tasks within the maintenance division. Once employees learn the various duties, including heavy equipment operation, they could become a transportation specialist, earning up to $5,000 per month.

"For TxDOT, we conduct hands-on training with our employees," Swinson adds. "But we rely on contractors like the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), for technical assistance related to transportation safety and heavy equipment operation."

Milling machines are used to remove old asphalt from a roadway as part of the process of leveling the surface.

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"Since 1969, TxDOT has been a major partner of ours," explains Kathy Stone, TEEX Transportation/Heavy Equipment Program Manager. "That's when we developed an equipment maintenance and safety training program for their personnel originally established under the Construction Equipment Training Division. Today that division is known as the Infrastructure Training and Safety Institute, which provides trainers throughout the state utilizing regional TxDOT offices. In fact, many of our trainers are former TxDOT employees."

TEEX also offers introductory courses leading to equipment certifications on their own campuses, with several types of equipment to choose from.

Swinson says other contractors, from places like Amarillo College, The University of Texas at Arlington and others also help train operators and other TxDOT employees. TxDOT's own adjunct instructors also provide training. Once trained, jobs are available for new operators in many fields.

"Heavy equipment operators can be found working on farms, for utility companies, or in building and of course road construction. They could even be found working for another agency, or for city or county governments," Swinson explains. "Once someone has that type of experience, it wouldn't be hard for them to find a job."

And speaking of jobs — TxDOT is hiring! Check out locations needing technicians, transportation specialists and more on our website.

Back to Volume 8, Number 6