Heavy Equipment Operator

Under general supervision, operates maintenance and transportation equipment in a variety of maintenance activities including excavating, grading, trenching, loading and related operations according to required standards; and performs semi-skilled and skilled maintenance tasks. Exercises functional and technical supervision over lower level maintenance staff.

Position Snapshot/A Day in the Life: The Equipment Operator II operates maintenance and transportation equipment in various maintenance activities including excavating, grading, trenching, loading and related operations according to required standards; and performs semi-skilled and skilled maintenance tasks. Essential functions include operation of a vactor truck and cleanup of existing catch basins and all water quality features within the public right-of-way, as well as maintaining the citys sewer system. The candidate must possess knowledge of safe work practices, construction and maintenance work, personnel supervision, and training, as well as operation and maintenance requirements of trucks, heavy equipment, and less complex power-driven equipment.

The employee must have the ability to:

• Operate heavy construction equipment such as a backhoes, large bulldozers, motor graders, large front-end loaders, for a variety of construction operations involving streets, drainage systems, sidewalks, curbs and gutters.
• Operate heavy equipment such as vacuum and rodding trucks, large sweepers and front loading refuse vehicles for a variety of maintenance operations involving street and drainage system area sanitation.
• Identify equipment needs for each assigned project.
• Perform minor repairs on equipment and report the need for major repairs; check and adjust fluid level; replace boom on sweepers; grease and lubricate moving parts as required.
• Perform additional landscaping and maintenance task such as sprinkler installation, tree planting and removal, herbicide spraying, pest control, truck driving, and a variety of repair activities when equipment is not in use.
• Inspect and clear obstructions from storm drains.
• Clean and care for tools and equipment.
• Paint buildings and other facilities.
• Maintain baseball fields, playgrounds and other facilities.
• Install traffic cones and barricades.
• Provide training to lower level staff in the operation.
• Perform any tasks or functions deemed necessary to the daily operations of the employer.

THE ABOVE LIST OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED AS NECESSARY BY THE EMPLOYER.

Working Conditions: Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. Incumbents may be required to lift, carry and/or push objects weighing 25 pounds or more. The position requires near and far vision when inspecting work. Incumbents work in all weather conditions, use cleaning and lubricating chemicals which may expose the employee to fumes, dust and air contaminants, drive motorized vehicles, heavy equipment and work around moving traffic and often works with constant interruptions. The incumbent is also required to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment.

A combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. The employee must have knowledge of:

• Operation and maintenance requirements of trucks and less complex power-driven equipment.
• Practices, methods, and materials used in construction and maintenance work.
• Traffic laws, ordinances, and rules involved in truck and heavy equipment operations.
• Safe work practices.
• Principles of personnel supervision and training.

Ability to:

• Operate a variety of less complex power-driven equipment.
• Perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled construction and maintenance tasks.
• Learn the geography and street system of the City.
• Perform maintenance on assigned equipment in an efficient, safe manner.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Work independently or in a crew situation, as assigned.
• Supervise and train assigned staff.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience performing maintenance work involving the operation of heavy construction equipment.

Education: Formal or informal education or training which ensures the ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance.

Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class A Drivers License with Tanker Endorsement.