DPW Equipment Operator

Whether you are joining our team for three years or twenty, you will have the opportunity to grow your career with us!  Our employees are offered the opportunity to enhance their skill set by attending training courses, working on special projects, and becoming a member of one of our many City Teams.
 
De Pere, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Wisconsin, is a safe, warm, and friendly community located right along the Fox River less than ten minutes from Green Bay and 25 minutes from Appleton and the Fox Valley.  De Pere is an integral part of the Green Bay metro area, which was ranked as the #1 place to live in the United States for 2023.  As an employer, the City of De Pere is a positive, team-oriented organization with a commitment to providing exceptional customer service to its community.  The City of De Pere provides an engaging work environment focused on collaboration and team building.  De Pere strives to attract, develop, and retain diverse talent by promoting a diversity of thought, valuing differing perspectives, and empowering employees to share their authentic viewpoints at all levels and functions within the City.  

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The City of De Pere is seeking a DPW Equipment Operator.  This position will perform manual labor and equipment operation to assist with road repairs, snow removal, garbage and recycling collection and other assignments to assist with overall department operations.

The typical work schedule is Monday – Thursday, 6:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., plus additional hours as needed for emergencies and snow plow operations.  The City of De Pere recognizes the importance of its employees having a proper work-life balance and supports alternative work schedules (i.e., four 10-hour days or five 8-hour days).  In addition, new employees receive three weeks of vacation time and four floating holidays per year beginning on the first day of work (prorated the first year).

Salary: The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $26.79 - $29.85 per hour, depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits package.  The City of De Pere rewards employees for exceptional work performance with a pay for performance incentive program.  Employees may be awarded a salary increase, bonus, or paid time off for exceptional work performance.  Employees will be automatically enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), a pension plan to help provide for financial security during retirement, which consists of employer and employee contributions.

Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and a formal review of all applications will start on approximately April 7, 2025.  This announcement will remain posted, and we will continue to accept applications until the City reaches an agreement with one finalist. 

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with state and federal law, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.  The following duties are essential for this position.  However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive.  To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily.  Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Safely operate trucks, light construction equipment, machinery, and tools for maintenance and construction related operations (loaders, tractors, rollers, sewer jet, sweepers, etc.).  Operate garbage and recycling trucks for collection.
• Assist in sewer cleaning and repair of sewers, street cleaning and repair, and snow removal.
• Cut weeds and grass.
• Perform daily routine maintenance on equipment. Maintain up-to-date records of all maintenance activities.  
• Participate in snow plow operations during the work week and after hours, including weekends and holidays, as needed.
• Assist in traffic control, traffic signing, brush/rubbish collection, and other miscellaneous public works functions.
• Prepare reports as required.
• Ensure all activities are carried out in a safe manner; adhere to all safety regulations; ensure all regulations pertaining to the safe use of equipment are understood and followed.   Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
• Report all accidents to the appropriate authority.  Follow all policies for reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Operation and maintenance of standard and specialized trucks and other related equipment.
• Traffic laws, ordinances, and rules involved in truck and equipment operation.  
• Trade tools, equipment, materials, and techniques used in truck and equipment operation.
• Care and use of equipment and tools utilized in the performance of department functions.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) purpose, use, and maintenance.
• Safety precautions and potential hazards encountered in truck and equipment activities.
• Occupational hazards (OSHA) and safe work practices. 

Skill in:

• Operating and maintaining all assigned vehicles or equipment.
• Performing a variety of semi-skilled maintenance tasks.
• Hazardous Materials identification and emergency response protocols, Federal, and State regulations.
• Utilizing and understanding Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Self-starting and being motivated with the ability to work independently.
• Being trustworthy and honest; taking accountability when appropriate.
• Applying problem solving, logic and reasoning to determine solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.  

Ability to:

• Learn the layout of City streets.
• Read City supplied maps for garbage and recycling, snow plowing, and other City services.
• Handle multiple tasks at once and take on a diverse range of tasks.
• Be highly dependable with a history of consistent attendance and punctuality.
• Work as a member of a team.
• Comprehend policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; SDS sheets, safety manuals, operating manuals, maps, etc.
• Maintain accurate records of assigned activities.
• Perform heavy manual labor for extended periods of time.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions, temperatures, job sites, uneven terrain, noise, dust, etc.
• Observe, follow instructions, and complete assignments accurately and within deadlines.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with business representatives, elected officials, department heads, the public, and other City employees with courtesy and tact.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the public.
• Utilize a computer and required software.
• Work the required hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

Minimum Education: High School diploma or equivalent.

Minimum Experience: One or more years in the operation of CDL and light equipment.

A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Other Requirements: Valid unencumbered Wisconsin Class "B" Commercial Driver's License, with air brake restriction lifted, "N" (tank vehicle) endorsement, and safe driving record.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of lifting/moving or force and frequent push/pull of up to 120 pounds while performing essential functions of the job.
• Work regularly requires the ability to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and speak and hear. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. 
• Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others in English.
• Ability to read and write English and interpret documents such as safety rules, material safety data sheets, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth.
• Work is frequently performed in a noisy environment around mechanical equipment.
• Work may include outdoors in seasonal weather extremes.
• Exposures could include toxic chemicals, seasonal temperature extremes, and other possible unknown hazardous materials.
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and following directions. 

All of the above is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.  Nothing in this position description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Employer and Employee and is subject to changes as the needs of the Employer and requirements of the position change. 

Salary : $55,723 - $79,622