Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO)

The Heavy Equipment Operator is responsible for the operation of heavy motorized equipment, including graders, tandem trucks, dozers, backhoes, excavators, front-end loaders and various other units of equipment that are used for maintenance of roads, public property and ditch and tile systems in the County. During winter weather conditions the main focus of work includes snow removal and sanding operations. Depending upon conditions and needs, the operator may perform other highway maintenance duties, ditch and tile maintenance duties, or park duties. The operator may also perform general labor as needed. Operators respond as needed to emergency events such as natural disasters. Operators may have regular assignments, but may be expected to rotate among assignments or provide backup in any of the department work areas.
The incumbent is responsible for the quality, timeliness and safe performance of his or her own work. Equipment used is of high value and errors in operation or maintenance could result in costly damage. Operation on the public highway requires extra care to avoid property damage or injury to others. Work is performed independently under general supervision. Work direction may be given to a helper when two workers are required.

1. Monitors and maintains gravel roads to ensure roads are passable for emergency vehicles and in optimal driving condition, subject to weather conditions. Performs general road and right-of-way maintenance. Operates a variety of light, medium, heavy, and specialized equipment engaged in the construction, maintenance, and repair of highways, and other related areas.
   • Visually inspect roads to assess the need for surface or shoulder work, centerline and shoulder stripping, ditch cleaning, and weed and brush control and notifies the supervisor of problems spotted (i.e. washout, need for sign replacement, need for more gravel);
   • Maintains gravel roads and shapes crown and shoulders of roads per best maintenance practices; in spring, pulls shoulders back in and reshapes the road using the slope meter on the blade; pulls gravel materials from ditch to edge of road; cleans out ditches and performs back-sloping;
   • Patches blacktop using the blade to spread and level material behind dump trucks and lays blacktop; uses equipment to properly compact material;
   • Performs various manual tasks related to highway maintenance including but not limited to: graveling roads, laying blacktop, repairing frost boils, removing drainage obstructions, rock picking or digging;
   • Cuts and cleans brush and trees from roadside to maintain adequate clear zones for road visibility and removes fallen trees from the roadway; sprays herbicide as necessary;
   • Performs bridge maintenance, including repairing timber members, approaches, abutment walls, and railings; performs culvert and tile repair relating to road ROW;
   • Performs erosion repair, using materials such as rip rap and bituminous flumes, and alleviates log jams; plants grass seed;
   • Places or replaces traffic signs; may complete studies of County roads to see if new signs are needed; maintains inventory of signs and associated equipment and supplies; orders new signs as needed.
     • Assists townships in sign maintenance, traffic control efforts, and sign purchases;
     • Replaces, repairs, fabricates, and installs all county highway signs and traffic control systems; inspects and maintains traffic control devices to conform to applicable rules and guides;
     • Installs and maintains temporary traffic control zones, safety work zones, and detours throughout the County;
     • Ensures that signs are properly installed and maintained for all 911 rural addressing.
     • Sets up traffic count devices and runs a related computer program.
2. May be assigned on a rotational basis to ditch duties, which would include the following: Operates tiling and ditching equipment to maintain surface water drainage systems throughout the County.
   • Uses laser surveying equipment to lay tile or dig ditches to the appropriate depth, in order to establish positive drainage within the area being served;
   • Maintains appropriate side wall slopes according to 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart P excavation standards and drainage standards;
   • Spreads spoil piles in a manner that preserves the integrity of ditch banks and allows water to enter ditches in a controlled manner;
   • Seeds newly disturbed areas as soon as possible to discourage erosion of soil;
   • Clears excessive vegetation debris from ditches in order to prevent blockages and slower than acceptable drainage;
   • Performs hand labor as necessary to finish projects in areas that are not accessible to equipment;
   • Constructs and replaces gradient structures;
   • Interprets drainage systems, drainage maps and blueprints;
   • Enters excavations and enclosed spaces to perform work using proper equipment and safe work methods;
   • Works with land owners to maintain good working relationships and minimize problems relating to access and restoration work;
   • Maintains a daily log of time spent on a particular job, equipment and material used, and location of job;
   • Collects accurate data for Gopher State One Call tickets.
3. Performs routine and preventative maintenance work on trucks, loaders, and other pieces of equipment according to usage or established schedules.
   • Responsible for daily safety and mechanical inspection, fueling and lubrication of equipment that will be used;
   • Performs periodic oil and filter changes; greases and lubricates service points and checks for damaged or worn parts; replaces fluids and belts;
   • Replaces consumable parts and mounts attachments as necessary;
   • Performs duties such as welding, brazing, fabricating equipment or parts;
   • Assists the Chief Mechanic with heavier maintenance duties.
4. Performs maintenance on facilities and property.
   • Performs maintenance on facilities as required;
   • Performs central or outlying shop and yard maintenance.
5. Clears roads of snow and ice.
   • Operates motor grader with front plow, blade and wing during snow removal;
   • Operates trucks with front plow, underbody, wing and sander during snow and ice removal;
   • Removes snow from bridge decks;
   • Operates blower truck and front-end blower to remove snow;
   • Operates truck with tank and spray bar using liquid salt brine to remove snow and ice from hills and bridges;
   • Determines placement of salt/sand mixture to achieve maximum benefit without wasted material;
6. May be assigned on a rotational basis to parks maintenance duties, which would include the following: Responsible for park maintenance, upkeep, and promoting camper safety. Operates a variety of light, heavy, and specialized equipment to monitor and maintain roads, ensuring the roads to be passable for emergency vehicles and in optimal driving condition, subject to weather conditions.
   • Opens the parks in the spring, turning on water, fixing leaks, flushing water lines, etc;
   • Maintains parks by operating tractors and mowers, and spraying weeds;
   • Purchases cleaning supplies and parts for mowers or equipment;
   • Inspects and maintains restrooms and post lines;
   • Responsible for dock placement of floating piers in the spring and removing them in fall;
   • Constructs picnic tables; sets up and maintains park playground equipment; builds and installs cooking grills in picnic and camping areas;
   • Patrols campgrounds and park shelter areas; checks on campers; notifies campers of weather warnings;
   • Makes signs and picnic tables in winter;
   • Performs simple maintenance and repairs on vehicles and power equipment;
   • Attends park committee meetings and provides suggestions and input as requested;
   • Performs building maintenance resulting from general building deterioration and or vandalism;
   • Visually inspects roads to assess the need for surface or shoulder work, centerline and shoulder stripping, ditch cleaning, weed and brush control, and notifies the supervisor of problems spotted (i.e. washout, need for sign replacement, need for more gravel);
   • Supervises temporary staff;
   • Supervises and trains summer workers for mowing and cleaning; enforces safety procedures;
   • Schedules and coordinates Sentence-to-Service workers with approval from the Maintenance Supervisor and/or Parks and Trails Director.
7. May be assigned on a rotational basis to parks duties, which would include the following:
   • Provides patron assistance;
   • Works in the Park Contact Station provides information and collects camping receipts;
   • Assists campers and park visitors;
   • Conducts safety and warning procedures;
   • Manages and enforces park policies, procedures, and ordinances; responds to complaints and reports criminal activity within the parks;
   • Coordinates with local law enforcement officers during a park walk through or during enforcement activity.
   • Monitors the use of firewood and ensures that firewood is not introduced that is known to harbor tree diseases or pests. Cooperates with law enforcement officers during a park walk through or during enforcement activity.
8. Maintains knowledge, through continuing education, of current construction and maintenance methods as related to safety, materials, and equipment required for public infrastructure maintenance and construction.
9. Maintains daily information log on time spent, equipment utilized and job location.
10. Performs Other Related Functions as Apparent or Assigned.

This job requires a high school diploma or GED. A Class A (CDL) drivers license (or has passed the Class A (CDL) drivers license written exam, upon initial hire). The Class A (CDL) drivers license must be obtained by the end of the initial six (6) months of employment.

• Ability to operate various machinery necessary to perform this job, such as tandem truck, motor grader, mower tractor, back hoe, dozer, excavator, skid loaders with attachments, pay loader, shouldering machine, seeding machine, steel roller for patching, distributor, and sprayer.
• Ability to safely operate mower, chainsaw, tractor, power tools, hand tools, and light power equipment.
• Ability to operate using electronic controls.
• Ability to obtain a tanker and hazardous materials licensure endorsement.
• Working knowledge of survey techniques and the ability to read ditch maps.
• Knowledge of highway construction processes.
• Knowledge of sign and safety work and the ability to research and implement standards.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others, work in a team, and to courteously serve the public.
• Safety training, CPR training and certification, first aid, and severe weather training.
• Competent Person training.
• Create a positive work environment of equity and inclusion.
• Promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation among all employees and provide a work environment of mutual respect.
• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries.