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​Transportation Equipment Operator Series

Overview

One of the most important types of positions patrolling the roads of Pennsylvania is the Transportation Equipment Operator (TEO) at PennDOT. TEOs are responsible for keeping motorists safe by maintaining Commonwealth-owned roads and bridges throughout the state. In the department, you will find a series of TEO positions with increasing responsibilities at each level. The series is made up of four positions: Transportation Equipment Operator Trainee (TEOT), Transportation Equipment Operator A (TEOA), Operator B (TEOB), and Transportation Equipment Operator Specialist (TEOS). Beyond the TEOS position, experienced operators can take advantage of promotional opportunities into supervisory and management titles like Highway Foreman, Highway Maintenance Manager, and County Manager. Some employees begin as seasonal operators, leading to permanent employment. Others may begin as Highway Maintenance Workers over the summer months, which can lead to trainee opportunities and permanent employment.

TEOs live and work in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. Each county is assigned to a PennDOT District. 

Where Can You Fit In?

The status of your current driver's license will help you determine where you can enter the Operator series. If you have your standard Class C Driver's License and are interested in obtaining either a Class A or B Commercial Driver's License, you would be eligible for the Transportation Equipment Operator Trainee or the seasonal Highway Maintenance Worker. If you've already got either a Class A or B CDL, then you can jump right to our Seasonal Operators or permanent Transportation Equipment Operator A.

Transportation Equipment Operator Trainee (TEOT)

The TEOT is a six-month trainee position in learning the operation of highway construction and maintenance equipment such as skid steers, backhoes, tractors, loaders, dump trucks, pickups, and snow plows along with manual labor responsibilities like flagging and heavy physical labor activities.

Duties

TEOTs will receive on-the-job training on how to become a proficient and safe operator providing highway maintenance services to the citizens of the commonwealth. After successful completion of the training program, during which you must test for and obtain your Commercial Driver's License, you will be promoted to a Transportation Equipment Operator A. Positions may be filled at various intervals in every county throughout the Commonwealth.

Requirements

  • Possession of an active Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C Driver's License or equivalent.
  • All employees must possess an active Pennsylvania Class A or B Commercial Driver Learner's Permit on the first day of work.
  • All positions require employees to possess an active Medical Examiner's Certificate in accordance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations by the first day of work.
  • Certain positions in this job require employees to demonstrate successful operation of equipment with a manual transmission.

Transportation Equipment Operator A (TEOA)

As a member of a highway maintenance crew, TEOAs perform a variety of manual labor duties and operate equipment used for construction and maintenance work. TEOAs may be hired on a permanent/full-time basis immediately, or they may be hired on a seasonal/full-time basis. Seasonal hires will be eligible to become permanent employees as opportunities arise, based on seniority.

Duties

Operators will routinely perform manual work on highway maintenance projects, engage in snow preparation/removal operations during the winter, and make minor repairs and provide preventive maintenance for the trucks and equipment, in addition to other duties as necessary. Operators will be trained and certified as proficient by experienced staff on various pieces of equipment that the department deploys. At a minimum, TEOAs must become certified in operating the heavy truck, front-end loader, and two other pieces of equipment, and maintain those certifications. Once they have become certified in the truck and loader and two additional pieces, they are eligible to be promoted to the Transportation Equipment Operator B (TEOB) title with an increase in pay.

Requirements

  • Graduation from a Commercial Driver's License training school; or successful completion of the Transportation Equipment Operator Trainee Program with the Commonwealth; or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
  • Possession of a valid Pennsylvania Class A or B Commercial Driver's License with the Air Brake Restriction (L) removed or equivalent. Must demonstrate successful operation of equipment with a manual transmission.
  • This position requires possession of a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
  • Certain positions will be subject to other special requirements.

Transportation Equipment Operator B (TEOB)

TEOBs operate equipment used for construction and maintenance work and perform a variety of manual laborduties. The TEOA who is promoted to the TEOB must become certified on an additional two pieces of equipment during their probationary period, bringing their total minimum certification count to six.

Duties

The TEOB position performs widely the same duties as the TEOA, but TEOBs are distinguished by the operation of trucks with snowplow attachments during snow removal operations.

Requirements

  • Active certification issued by PennDOT in the operation of heavy trucks and loaders, and two additional pieces of equipment, at time of application and continuously maintained while in this job. Additionally, all TEOBs must obtain an active certification in two additional pieces of construction equipment during the probationary period.
  • Possession of a valid Pennsylvania Class A or B Commercial Driver's License with the Air Brake Restriction (L) removed or equivalent. Must demonstrate successful operation of equipment with a manual transmission.
  • This position requires possession of a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
  • Certain positions will be subject to other special requirements.

Transportation Equipment Operator Specialist (TEOS)

The TEOS title is the final step in the Equipment Operator series. Experienced TEOBs can, by seniority, be promoted to the Specialist level when opportunities arise. As a TEOS, they will be trained and certified in multiple pieces of specialized equipment used in construction and maintenance.

Duties

Work at this level requires the operation of two or more pieces of specialized equipment, including fuel trucks, rubber tire excavators (gradall), milling machines, oil distributors, pugmills, stone chippers for surface treatment operations, heavy track excavators, or large pavers. A TEOS will also provide instruction for others on the operation of equipment, and complete related maintenance work, both skilled and unskilled. Additionally, the TEOS must be trained and able to serve as a lead worker or an acting highway foreman.

Requirements

  • One year of experience as a TEOB; or two years of experience in the operation of construction and maintenance equipment; or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
  • Active certification issued by PennDOT in the operation of heavy trucks and loaders, and four additional pieces of equipment, at time of application and continuously maintained while in this job. Additionally, all employees must obtain an active certification in at least two additional pieces of specialized construction equipment during the probationary period or a longer period as determined by management.
  • Possession of a valid Pennsylvania Class A or B Commercial Driver's License with the Air Brake Restriction (L) removed or equivalent. Must demonstrate successful operation of equipment with a manual transmission.
  • This position requires possession of a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
  • All employees must successfully complete and remain current with "Transportation Equipment Operator Instructor" and "Acting Highway Foreman" training.

Application

Vacancies are posted throughout the Commonwealth at various intervals for the Transportation Equipment Operator Trainee job and both permanent and seasonal Transportation Equipment Operator A jobs. Seasonal operators will be hired continuously through the fall and winter months through PennDOT's Winter Maintenance Program (PDF). If you are interested in applying, you can do so online at the Commonwealth's employment page.

Pay and Benefits

Transportation Equipment Operator Trainee starting salary is $27,325 annually ($13.97 hourly).

Transportation Equipment Operator A starting salary can vary by location. Most counties start at $32,704 annually ($16.72 hourly). All counties in Districts 4, 5, 6, and 8, and Allegheny County start at $36,890 annually ($18.86 hourly).

Transportation Equipment Operator B starting salary will be based on preceding salary as a TEOA. In general, the lowest possible starting rate for a TEOB is $34,680 ($17.73) in most counties. All counties in Districts 4, 5, 6, and 8, and Allegheny County would, at the lowest, start at $38,338 annually ($19.60 hourly).

Transportation Equipment Operator Specialist starting salary can vary by location. Most counties start at $39,120 annually ($20 hourly). All counties in Districts 4, 5, 6, and 8, and Allegheny County start at $41,604 annually ($21.27 hourly).

All permanent, full-time positions in the Commonwealth offer excellent financial, health and wellness benefits packages, work-life balance, career development, and other rewards. You can learn more about these benefits on the Commonwealth employment website.

Contact

For more information, refer to our district map and call the District Office that includes your county of interest.

Ask to speak to human resources regarding these Transportation Equipment Operator opportunities. A phone number for each district is listed in numerical order.