THE POSITION

Step into a role that lets you grow while protecting natural spaces for everyone! As an Equipment Operator A with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, you will play a key part in keeping forest lands safe and accessible. This role gives you the opportunity to use equipment skills in ways that truly matter for the community. Every day brings a new chance to support conservation efforts and care for public lands!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position focuses on operating and maintaining a wide range of trucks, tools, and equipment to support forest maintenance and safety. The work helps keep state forest infrastructure in good condition while supporting district and agency goals. As an Equipment Operator A, you will perform the following duties:

• Equipment Operation: Operate trucks and construction equipment with a gross vehicle weight up to 32,000 pounds for road and facility upkeep
• Fire Response Support: Drive and use specialized vehicles and tools to assist with wildfire suppression and prevention activities
• Tool and Machinery Use: Handle chainsaws and other powered and non-powered tools to maintain forest roads, trails, and structures
• Routine Maintenance: Complete basic maintenance tasks on equipment such as checking fluids, cleaning parts, and replacing filters
• General Labor: Perform physical tasks like digging, raking, sweeping, and cleaning when not operating equipment
• Recordkeeping: Maintain logs and time records related to equipment use and daily duties

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Seasonal, full-time employment with no health care benefits. There is not an option to buy into health care benefits. The season runs from approximately March 2026 until November 2026 at which time the employee will be placed on leave without pay. The employee will automatically be returned to employment in March 2027.
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Overtime may be required in emergency situations such as wildfire suppression.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Six months experience in the operation and maintenance of large vans, buses and single-chassis trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Special Requirements: 

• You must be in possession of a valid Class C Pennsylvania driver's license.
  

Conditions of Employment: 

• This position requires that employees possess a valid Class A or B Commercial Driver's License (CDL).

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement.  For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements: 

• A conditional offer of employment will require a drug screening. 

This position is subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding.

You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations.

Recruitment Methods:

• Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy:
  • Reassignment (Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment.)
    • Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and 
    • (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. 
  • Transfer (Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.)
    • Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and 
    • (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. 
  • Voluntary Demotion
  • Reinstatement (Former civil service employees may only be reinstated to the job title from which they resigned. Current civil service employees are not eligible through reinstatement.)

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. 

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* 

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

Supplemental Questions

01

Condition of Employment - Do you possess a current Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered “Yes” to the above question, please provide the issuing state, license number and expiration date. If you answered “No” type N/A in the box below.

03

Do you possess six months or more of full-time experience in the operation and maintenance of large vans, buses and single-chassis trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more?

• Yes
• No

04

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

05

Have you completed a course in truck driving and the operation and repair of construction equipment with a commercial technical school?

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please provide the title of the course, the name of the institution with whom you completed the course, and the number of clock hours completed. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below.

07

If you are applying under the reassignment recruitment option and this job title is different than your current job title, please explain why you believe this is a logical career movement.

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address

613 North Street








Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

Website

http://www.employment.pa.gov