Public Works Operator III

The purpose of this position is to maintain and improve the City’s stormwater drainage system and/or assist in the maintenance of public roads to ensure safety and reliability. This is accomplished by operating heavy power-driven equipment requiring a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) in the construction and maintenance of public roads and sidewalks and/or in the construction and maintenance of stormwater drainage systems.


This class is distinguished from the Equipment Operator IV class in that the latter class performs more complex and difficult equipment operation duties and utilizes heavier equipment.  This class involves the operation of equipment and mechanisms that are complex to operate and require the highest degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse to perform work to exacting tolerances.

Although not the primary responsibility of the position, employees may, on occasion, operate lighter equipment. Other duties include assisting crew members, training lower-level staff, maintaining equipment, and completing daily forms and logs. Work is performed under regular supervision.

In addition to heavy equipment operated by the Public Works Operator I & II classes, equipment primarily operated includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Motor grader, snow plows mounted on dump trucks, brine tanks loaded on dump trucks, cracksealers, sweepers, vac-cons, and road patchers.


The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Maneuvers heavy equipment and operates complex mechanisms involving digging, moving earth and materials, grading, loading, and performing similar tasks in order to advance projects  relating to construction and maintenance of City roads, grounds, property, utilities, rights-of-way, and other infrastructure; controls placement of equipment and determines optimum approach to each digging scenario in order to minimize destruction of property and avoid electric, water, sewer, and other public utility lines. Equipment is primarily driven and operated on-site, but does require some driving over public roads; maneuvers in and around traffic, crew workers, equipment, utilities, and other obstacles.
• Identifies equipment needs for each assigned project; transports and delivers equipment to and from work sites, inspects equipment prior to use; inspects and secures equipment following use.
• Operates backhoe to perform basic digging, trenching, and clearing of land or materials for maintenance, repair, and construction projects: controls placement of equipment and determines optimum approach to each digging scenario in order to minimize destruction of property and avoid electric, water, sewer, and other public utility lines.
• Operates tractors with articulated boom mowing system to mow rights-of-way, other City property along steep slopes, ditches, and hard-to-reach areas inaccessible to most mowing equipment; scouts path for and removes rocks, debris, and other obstacles that may cause damage to the equipment, property, or the public; determines proper settings and adjusts boom for proper angle, height, and trajectory; and maneuvers and monitors boom mower for optimal operation.
• Operates motor-grader and excavator with blade attachment to set gradients for large construction and maintenance projects such as roads, landscaping, embankments, and other projects requiring exacting specifications related to slope, angle, and pitch; determines settings and adjusts blades for height, angle, and pitch to achieve desired outcome; and maneuvers equipment and operates mechanisms to skillfully set gradient, smooth surfaces, and spread materials.
• Identifies equipment needs for each assigned project; transports and delivers equipment to and from work sites, inspects equipment prior to use; secures equipment following use.
• Maintains records and logs of all work performed and completes basic preventive maintenance on equipment as required.
• When not operating equipment, assists crews by performing manual labor in support of construction, maintenance, and repair projects; digging ditches, trenches, and holes manually or utilizing power equipment; shoveling, raking, spreading, compacting, and levelling dirt, rock, asphalt, cement, and other materials; retrieving supplies, materials, tools, equipment and other items and running various errands as needed; collecting, transporting, and loading and unloading materials, supplies, tools, and equipment to and from the worksite.
• Follows established safety procedures; utilizes safety equipment and wearing protective gear; monitors traffic conditions surrounding trucks and equipment to identify obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic conditions; flags and directs traffic and places markers, signs and cones around project and work site to ensure safety of crew and the traveling public; and reports incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.
• Provides operational support by assisting with storm preparation and clean up, operating equipment and trucks included at the lower level in this job family, building and setting up traffic barriers for special events, and performing other related duties as assigned.
• Serves as a lead worker, training lower-level staff. 

Education and Experience: 

• High school diploma or GED, with vocational or technical training in the operation of CDL-operated vehicles and
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in construction, maintenance, grounds keeping or a related field and
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience operating the types of equipment identified in this class  or
• Any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

Other Requirements: 

• Class B CDL (Commercial Driver’s License).
• Knowledge of the basic operation and maintenance requirements of the equipment operated by this classification. 
• Ability to communicate and work cooperatively with colleagues, City leadership, and the general public. 
• Ability to obtain Flagger & WorkZone Safety certifications within 90 days of hire.
• Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to work tasks and handle practical situations and requests made by supervisor and/or lead workers; to comprehend and respond to a variety of situations in an efficient manner; to understand and follow simple oral and written directives and perform the relative tasks using sound judgment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs. constantly.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This position will require outdoor work in all types of weather conditions.
• Emergency work in storm events is required, this positions is considered essential and may be required to work before, during and after inclement weather events.
• All positions will be required to participate in On-Call program on a rotating basis with other employees/ operating sections.