Equipment Operator I

This position requires skill in the operation and maintenance of the municipal lake facilities including guest housing, the municipal water distribution system and its components, the maintenance, testing, installation and repair of residential, commercial, and industrial water meters and associated valves, shut-off procedures and operations, and providing excellent customer services to citizens and customers.Â

Responsibilities involve performing field, shop and facility work related to maintenance of recreational grounds and facilities; the cleaning, repairing, testing, and assembling of water meters, determining the location of service lines and shut-off valves, operation of service line shut-off valves, troubleshooting meter installations and service complaints, and involved extensive contact with citizens and customers; water distribution system maintenance and repair; and work within the watersheds of both reservoirs. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Property Manager according to established procedures, and be performed independently or in a work crew, with emphasis on the independent operation of various assigned tasks. Work is normally reviewed upon completion for adherence to standards and instructions, through inspections, work reports prepared, and the achievement of desired results.Â

This list may not include all tasks and/or knowledge which may be expected of the employee, nor does it cover all specific duties which may be required. Other duties may be assigned.  Reasonable accommodations may be available to assist individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.Â

• Performs grounds maintenance of facilities, parks, roadsides, and dams at Lake Bloomington and Evergreen Lake. Operates tractor with gang mower, chopper, flail, and lawn tractors; mows roadsides and park areas using a tractor and mower; picks up trash, debris and other items.Â
• Performs preventative maintenance and minor repairs of equipment including mowing equipment by sharpening blades, cleaning mowers, checking and changing oil, replacing belts, changing filters, and checking battery.Â
• Removes snow from sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas using snowplows, snow blowers, snow shovels, truck with snowplow, and by spreading snow melting chemicals.Â
• Operates backhoes, end loader, vibrating roller, and trucks on independent assignment or with a work crew; checks equipment for proper servicing and operation, and for repairs required and reports on these; checks battery, fuel, oil levels and, lights; replaces bulbs; washes down equipment.Â
• Makes general and difficult system repairs; repair water leaks and mains; locates meters and valves; lines up and levels line and meter installations; repairs fire hydrants.Â
• Operates a variety of maintenance and related equipment including water pumps, portable generators, air compressors, and winch lines in performing system repairs and maintenance work.Â
• Performs monthly meter reads for Utility Billing purposes.Â
• Performs J.U.L.I.E. locates requests.Â
• Assists in the performance of utility work at the Purification Plant, as workload requires.Â
• Operates an electric wilder, gas welder, and cutting torch as required.Â
• Applies herbicides and pesticides safely and as required.Â
• Cleaning, setting of chairs, tables and other items for use in the Davis Lodge according to the plans submitted by renters.Â
• Ensures that all reporting of types of materials for water mains, shut offs, and meters are reported accurately to Property Manager.Â
• Performs minor plumbing and carpentry repairs to park facilities and buildings.Â
• Makes limited repairs to automotive and maintenance power equipment; uses gas and arc welders when required.Â
• Operates a backhoe in locating water service and/or main breaks or for the removal of stumps.Â
• Is familiar with workplace safety procedures, and ensures they are followed. Â
• Prepares standard job reports; provides management with specific date for daily log reports; lists materials used, work performed, and man hours devoted to respective jobs.Â
  
  

Education/Experience:Â Graduation from standard high school or vocational/technical school; considerable experience in general maintenance work, preferable related to the City's water system; or any equivalent combination of training and experience to provide the following knowledge, abilities, and skills. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.Â

General Skill Levels

Knowledge of

• Municipal water system grid and its components.Â
• Tools equipment, and work methods used in water system construction, maintenance, and repair work, general maintenance, carpentry, landscape, repair work, automotive maintenance and grounds power equipment.Â
• Skill in the use and care of power saws, paint sprayers, power mowers, tractors, trucks, and general hand tools.Â
• Operation and use of vehicles, power mowers, snowplows, snow blowers, scissor lifts, trucks, tractors, end loaders, general cleaning equipment, hand and power tools, and other equipment.Â
• Maintaining operation records and performing preventative maintenance evaluations and repair activities.Â
• Computer software system(s) including but not limited to email, work order system, internet searches, and the Geographic Information System (GIS).Â
• Water piping materials, City ordinances, state statutes, and departmental policies related to the water system and how they affect the public.Â
• Standards and occupational hazards involved and of the safety precautions necessary in the performance of assigned work.Â
• J.U.L.I.E. regulations.Â
• Extensive knowledge of maintenance methods and tools used in general painting, plumbing, carpentry, and landscape work.Â
• Tools, equipment, mowers, cleaning methods, and light duty equipment.Â
  
  

Skills

• Use, care, and demonstration of general and specialized tools, mechanical equipment used during maintenance of processes, facilities and grounds work.
• Transferring technical knowledge to operational activity to achieve desired results.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgement within established guidelines.
• Maintaining operation records and performing preventative maintenance evaluations and repair activities.
• Using welding equipment. Â
• Adapting to different computer systems and software.Â
• Communication and interacting positively and proactively with the public.Â
• Delivering quality customer service as part of the troubleshooting and investigations of the daily task assignments relating to the water system. Â
  
  

Ability to

• Prepare standard work and operational reports.Â
• Deal with the public in general and difficult work situations.Â
• Perform work independently, under limited supervision.Â
• Ensure that proper on-the-job safety procedures are followed, and safety equipment is properly/consistently used.Â
• Read meters and gauges and react quickly and appropriately in operational emergencies.Â
• Read and understand technical information including plans and blueprints and apply guidelines and regulations to operational situations.Â
• Work in difficult to access, tight and confined spaces using proper safety procedures.Â
• Communicate orally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders professionally in difficult situations.Â
• Efficiently use the City's Geographic Information System (GIS) for locating utilities.Â
• Understand and follow general oral and written instructions.Â
• Correctly perform basic arithmetic.Â
• Correctly take, record, and use measurements.Â
• Recognize and safely use mechanical tools necessary in making repairs and performing preventative maintenance to buildings, motors, and related equipment within City and industry guidelines and regulations.Â
• Distinguish colors used in the J.U.L.I.E. color coding system.Â
• Work evenings, nights and weekends as required and respond to emergency situations.Â
  
  

Certificate or Licenses

• Possession and maintenance of a valid Illinois Class B Commercial Driver's License with airbrake endorsement -Â required
• Must obtain Illinois and Pesticide Applicator's License within 6 months - required. Â Timing can be extended at the discretion of the Public Works Director.Â
• Illinois EPA Public Water Supply Class D Operators License - preferredÂ
  
  

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:Â Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.Â

Majority of work is performed in an outdoor setting in all conditions including hot, cold, wet and dry weather. Work requires traveling to various sites and the ability to traverse a variety of natural and altered ground surfaces which may be uneven, wet or slippery or sloped.  Work will be performed in some difficult to reach areas as well as confined spaces.  Work is performed with the public often in attendance, so great attention to proper customer interaction expected.