Motor Equipment Operator/Laborer 2026-061

City of Chicopee

Position:

Motor Equipment Operator/Laborer

Department: DPW - Parks

Employment Status: Non-Exempt; UFCW 1459 Laborers; Full-Time

(40 Hours/Week )

Pay Grade : Grade 5L; Step 05 – Step 08

Salary Range : $18.31/Hour - $21.00/Hour

Schedule : Mon – Fri; 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Certifications/Licenses Required: Valid Massachusetts Class D Driver's License. Massachusetts CDL Class A (Preferred). High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED)

SUMMARY

The City of Chicopee’s Department of Public Works’ Parks Division is hiring a Motor Equipment Operator/Laborer who will be responsible for operating all motorized equipment within the Parks and Recreation Department to perform grounds maintenance work. This position performs a wide variety of tasks including but not limited to operating machinery, power tools and performing manual labor. The position performs assigned tasks with a high degree of skill in the care, maintenance, and repair of recreation areas, athletic fields and cemeteries. These tasks are assigned by a supervisor but may be performed without direct supervision. The position provides documentation of work completed, monitors and makes repairs to equipment, and keeps all required licenses up to date.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Operate motorized equipment such as but not limited to 1.5-ton dump truck, pick-up trucks, gang mower, tractor/backhoe, bobcat/skid steer, zero-turn mower, riding mowers, snow blowers, field groomer, leaf vacuum units and club cab. Some equipment comes with various attachments including blowers, aerators, seeders, and others.
• Operates machinery, vehicles and tools safely and effectively including but not limited to power tools, chain saws, field painting machine, weed whip, pallet jack, skid steer and compressor. These items are used to cut and trim grass, trim or remove brush, bushes or trees, groom, line and repair athletic fields, load and unload material, remove leaves and snow, pick up trash and recycling.
• Performs mechanical repair and preventable maintenance on vehicles, small engines, and other moving parts of equipment. These tasks include replacing worn parts such as spark plugs, sharpening of mower blades, greasing fittings and others.
• Listens for unusual sounds from machines or equipment to detect malfunction and discusses and documents machine/vehicle operation variations with supervisor or others to assist in diagnosing problem or repair.
• Performs landscaping tasks including planting and transplanting new shrubs, flowers and trees in park and cemetery locations, as well as trimming, weeding, and pruning. Knowledge of invasive species and poisonous plants.
• Performs miscellaneous manual duties such as raking, shoveling, digging, hammering, painting, climbing ladders, lifting, bending, crawling, pulling, pushing and using manual tools, in the maintenance and renovation of parks, recreation areas, athletic fields, and playgrounds in preparation or active and passive recreational use or preservation as open space.
• Performs basic skills of carpentry, masonry, mechanical repairs, painting with competence.
• Works in cold or foul weather to create safe and usable facilities including snow removal, ice removal, plowing, shoveling, removing debris or downed tree limbs and to prepare facilities such as parks, ice rinks, sidewalks, parking lots and streets for use.
• Performs tasks associated with the renovation or repair including but not limited to all mentioned equipment, plus fences, restrooms, water fountains, irrigation, pools and drainage systems.
• Performs custodial duties including removing trash, cleaning floors, washing windows, and washing equipment.
• Utilizes chemicals safely to clean comfort stations, removes graffiti from facilities and equipment, fuel equipment, and apply paint as well as other applications.
• Observes and reports conditions in parks and sport fields or with facilities that may be a result of vandalism, wear and tear or mechanical failure.
• Accurately completes assigned paperwork manually or digitally on computer-based forms to reflect tasks accomplished, inventory, preventative maintenance logs, field observations, requests for used of earned time, or for other reasons.
• All other related tasks as assigned by the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation and/or Superintendent of Public Works.
• Abide by City of Chicopee Health and Safety policies and procedures.

(See attached for full job description)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Massachusetts Class D Driver's License. - Required
• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) – Required
• Must possess a valid MA Class D driver’s license - Required
• CDL Class A or B – Preferred
• MA 2B Hoisting License - Preferred
• Two (2) years of direct experience in turf maintenance and general maintenance tasks that demonstrate the competencies described in the essential duties
• Working knowledge of tools, equipment, and materials used for public works/parks repair and maintenance.
• Ability to work effectively in emergencies,
• Ability to interpret plans and specifications and layout work.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other City employees, City departments, divisions, and the general public.
• Ability to report findings and communicate effectively; administrative abilities.
• Ability to work independently.

BENEFITS

The City of Chicopee provides its employees (contingent upon employment status) with a robust benefits package which include the following:

Recurring Sick Time,

Vacation,

Thirteen Holidays Per Year,

Retirement Plan, and more…

HOW TO APPLY

If this opportunity aligns with your skills, experience, and employment goals, apply today through one of the following:

‘I ndeed Apply ’

OR

Select: “ D ownload Application” under “Tools”

Human Resources Department

Chicopee City Hall – 1st Floor

274 Front Street

Chicopee, MA, 01013

Questions?

Phone: (413) 594-1510

Email: [email protected]

The City of Chicopee is an Equal Opportunity Employer .

Work Location: In person