Equipment Operator I

GENERAL STATEMENT

Under general supervision, this position will operate some machinery and equipment in the maintenance and repair of water mains, water service lines, valves, and fire hydrants. Reports to the Equipment Operator IV.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Installs, repairs, and connects new water pipes to existing water systems. Perform manual labor such as digging, shoveling, assisting with the replacement and installation of pipe, materials, and structures.

Operates various types of motorized equipment, jack hammers, concrete saws, and use specified equipment to repair or replace water lines, water mains, valves, meter boxes, and excavations in the City.

Utilizes hand and power tools, and equipment to support maintenance operations; transports materials, tools, supplies, equipment, and personnel to and from job sites; repair or replace water main leaks, water service line leaks, fire hydrants, meters, and valves.

Inspects equipment and vehicles to ensure proper working condition; performs routine checks and preventive maintenance on equipment; identifies and reports equipment malfunctions to supervisor; ensures the safety of city equipment, property, and others by following proper safety procedures, watch for pedestrians to include performing traffic management duties such as flagging vehicles, etc., as needed.

Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job : Has some knowledge of the proper procedures for operating, inspecting and maintaining assigned equipment. Has some knowledge of the connections from one type of pipe to another and the materials and tools to perform tasks correctly (PVC, HDPE, Ductile Iron, Cast Iron, Copper, Brass and Galvanized). Has some knowledge of OSHA Safe Trenching regulations, occupational hazards, safety precautions, and safety regulations (VDOT Traffic Work Zone) related to equipment operation and general construction work. Has some knowledge of traffic laws and regulations governing the operation of equipment.

Communication: Ability to listen and understand directions, information and ideas presented verbally and in writing. Ability to handle a variety of customer service issues with tact and diplomacy in a confidential manner.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all departments, co-workers and the public.

Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under Essential Job Functions.

Dependability : Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, policies, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Uses logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate situations and exercise good judgement to make appropriate decisions. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with policy or procedures. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees and managers in other departments, to project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisors, professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.

Safety and Housekeeping : Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Requires completion of 10th grade in high school and related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience necessary to perform the essential job functions of this position. High school diploma, GED or specialized vocational training is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check and sex offender registry check.

Requires a valid drivers license.

This position requires pre-employment medical evaluation and substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.

This position is designated as On-Call and must be able to respond and report to work to perform emergency work on a 24-hour basis.

May be required to able to obtain Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Flagger Certification, and complete the required National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System Certifications within one (1) year of employment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIREDTO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate street and highway maintenance equipment and to perform heavy physical labor. Requires the ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are for Heavy Work.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and or signaling people to convey or exchange information to include receiving instructions, assignments and directions from supervisor.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read maps and the ability to complete work orders, vehicle check lists, Patch Permits and fire hydrant records, leave slips and time sheets using prescribed format. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply judgement and understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and diagrammatic form to deal with problems involving multiple variables from standardized situations.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using standard English.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using equipment utilized for street maintenance.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as equipment used to maintain streets. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress (emergency situations).

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations. This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.