Job Title: Equipment Operator

Department: Maintenance 

Reports To: Senior Maintenance Manager

FLSA Status: Non-exempt 

Effective Date: September 2025

 

 

White Oak conserves and sustains some of the earth's rarest wild animals through innovative training, research, education, and conservation breeding programs that contribute to the survival of wildlife in nature.  The conservation programs span 600 acres along the St. Mary’s River in northeast Florida, surrounded by 22,000 acres of mixed forest and wetlands that make up the beautiful White Oak property.  Founded in 1982, White Oak leads professional efforts to improve veterinary care, develop holistic animal management techniques, and better understand the biology of critically endangered species by providing excellent care and managing conservation programs for over 30 species of imperiled wildlife in large, naturalistic habitats. 

 

Saving endangered wildlife and habitats through sustainable populations, expanding education initiatives, and responsible land stewardship.

 

The Equipment Operator maintains access roads and trails in safe condition and provides heavy equipment support for all departments at White Oak Conservation.  

 

o Safely operates equipment and associated implements (examples include farm tractors, backhoe, mowers, skid steers, weed eaters, chainsaws, and other similar equipment).

o Ensures equipment is in safe operating condition.

o Follows and uses proper and safe procedures including personal protective equipment.  

o Provides support to White Oak departments including site preparation, tree pruning and removal, heavy equipment support, internal and external truck transport, and other tasks as required.

o Assists in routine road maintenance, drainage system maintenance, and flood control. Activity may include mowing, brushing, maintaining culverts, maintaining ditches, managing beaver dams, box blading, reshaping and improving shoulders, clearing debris from roadways and trails, and vegetation management. 

o Assists with road and construction project design and implementation.

o Performs demolition and demolition clean up.

o Manages and maintains grasses and vegetation associated with secondary roads, roadsides, trails, pastures, fields, access gates, drainage culverts, and other right of ways across the landscape of White Oak Conservation property.  

o Hauls gravel, rock, soil, and other material to job sites as required.

o Determines appropriate methods, materials and equipment necessary to complete tasks assigned. 

o Works closely with Natural Resources to assist with wildfire suppression measures, controlled burning, and other various land management projects. 

o Inspects and performs preventative maintenance such as lubricating and making minor mechanical repairs before using equipment.  

o Notifies mechanics of any necessary repairs needed to equipment.

o Maintains, cleans and safely stores all equipment and shop and office areas.

o Maintains regular, predictable and punctual attendance during regularly scheduled work hours at assigned worksite.

o Assists Support Services teams as needed.

 

The above cited duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to the job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that an incumbent may be expected or asked to perform.

 

• Minimum of four years’ experience operating heavy equipment and farm tractors along with associated implements; or combination of minimum two years’ experience in road work and building equipment operation and two years general equipment operation. 

• Minimum of two years of experience operating chain saws and small tools.  

• Certificates of competencies in equipment operation skills and safety are preferred.

• CDL license preferred.

 

• Ability to operate bull dozers, loaders, road graders, backhoes, skid steers, and zero turn mowers.

• Ability to attach and adjust tractor implements such as mowers, harrows, box blades, etc. 

• Ability to transport equipment.

• Basic computer skills.

• Ability to identify and react appropriately to hazards. 

• Ability to operate without direct supervision and be self-motivated, persistent, confident, tenacious, and take pride in work.

• Willing and able to work flexible hours and schedule.

• Dependable, trustworthy, and neatly groomed.

• Attentive to detail and always alert to ensure safety.

 

• Ability to work in inclement weather and extreme temperatures.

• Able to work around loud machinery.

• May be exposed to hazardous materials.

• Ability to lift over 50 lbs.

• Job may occasionally require working long hours, weekends, and holidays. 

• Must have valid Florida or Georgia drivers’ license.