CLASSIFICATION TITLE: EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification is to drive and operate various equipment in support of maintenance and construction projects. Classification is reserved for those positions where operation of included equipment is the primary function of the job.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

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. This classification is part of the broad-band compensation plan. Duties listed may not be performed by all incumbents, and level may be assigned in accordance with the skills and proficiencies demonstrated by the incumbent.

• Drives or operates trucks (tandem-axle or special utility vehicles), tractors, and other equipment where driving and maneuvering the vehicle constitutes the majority of the work required to complete tasks for various maintenance, upkeep, and/or construction projects; equipment at this level does not involve the operation of additional mechanisms other than those that are simple and routine requiring little extra dexterity and finesse.
• Drives single, tandem, and tri-axle dump trucks or brush trucks in order to transport and haul materials between original and final destinations for use in maintenance and construction projects; positions vehicle to allow for the most efficient and effective loading or dumping of materials; secures all doors, gates, and fasteners to prevent spillage or loss of load; operates dumping mechanism to dump materials at appropriate locations; operates truck and dumping mechanism simultaneously to spread materials along prescribed path to required specifications.
• Operates tractors and tractor-mounted mowing equipment to mow rights-of-way, parks, and other County property, including operation of side-arm, bush hogs, and rear-mounted mowers, but excluding small riding mowers; 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 mowing equipment for desired height and trajectory.
• Drives special purpose trucks with mounted tanks to transport and distribute water, insecticide, oil, or other liquids for use in maintenance, upkeep, and construction projects; determines proper settings and adjusts spraying mechanisms to distribute desired amounts of liquids for both informal and controlled applications; operates flusher/water truck to rinse debris from streets and apply water to construction sites to reduce dust levels; operates spraying mechanism on mosquito truck to distribute insecticide; operates asphalt distributor to apply oil along prescribed path for street construction prior to pavement of streets.
• Utilizes asphalt patching truck to make repairs to existing streets and paved surfaces by filling potholes, cracks, and other deformities; drives truck to work location and positions vehicle to allow for optimum delivery of asphalt; utilizes dumping mechanisms to apply specified amount of hot asphalt to desired area; operates spraying mechanism to aim and distribute a fine stream of asphalt along cracks in the pavement; utilizes rakes, shovels, and other tools to manually spread and seal asphalt; marks newly repaired pavement as appropriate.
• Operates bobcat, backhoe-mounted loader, and loaders of similar size to load and/or move gravel, dirt, sand, and other materials for smaller projects and amounts; utilizes bobcat to clear land or debris.
• Operates mechanisms on utilities trucks to inspect and maintain water and sewer lines under close supervision of a primary or lead operator; operates mechanism on jet/rodder truck to clean lines; repairs lines as necessary using grout and other tools/materials to stop leaks and reinforce structures.
• Drives and operates vehicles, tractors, and other equipment with specialized functions that involve the operation of mechanisms to complete tasks in addition to driving and maneuvering the vehicle in order to complete tasks for various maintenance, upkeep, and/or construction projects; equipment at this level includes vehicles with mechanisms that are somewhat complex to operate, requiring more dexterity and finesse.
• Operates backhoe to perform basic digging, trenching, and clearing of land or materials for maintenance and upkeep projects for public utilities 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. Work requiring exacting tolerances and/or specifications is assigned to a higher level within this classification.
• Operates street sweepers along a prescribed route to remove dirt and debris from streets and parking lots; maneuvers in and out of traffic and around parked cars, taking care to reduce congestion and maintain safety; determines proper settings and adjusts brushes for proper angle and height, maintaining proper curb distance for optimum coverage.
• Operates tractors with articulated boom mowing system to mow rights-of-way, parks, and other County property along steep slopes, ditches, and hard-to-reach areas inaccessible to most mowing apparatuses; 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; maneuvers and monitors boom mower for optimal operation.
• Drives knuckle-boom truck to collect trash, limbs, and other debris from work sites, parks, and other County property, and transport it to the landfill; positions vehicle alongside targeted debris; operates truck- or trailer- mounted knuckle-boom arm to pick up debris and load it into the truck; secures all doors, gates, and fasteners to prevent spillage or loss of load during transport; dumps material at appropriate location.
• Drives low-boy and other tractor-trailer rigs to transport heavy construction equipment and materials to and from work-sites; maneuvers equipment to load and unload from trailer, operating mechanisms as necessary to position for safe transportation.
• Operates track or rubber-tired construction equipment with specialized functions related to maintenance and construction activities where the operation of complex mechanisms requires a higher degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse, and where work is performed to exacting tolerances.
• Operates bulldozer, scraper, and compactor to move earth, gravel, sand, and other materials for large construction and maintenance projects; operates mechanisms to establish rough grades or to smooth and compact surfaces in preparation for pavement, construction, or other work.
• Operates excavator, trackhoe, and backhoe to perform skilled digging and trenching for maintenance, upkeep, and construction projects for public utilities and other infrastructure, where exacting tolerances and specification are required; 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 a track or rubber-tired loader with large volume and weight capacities to load materials into trucks or move them over short distances; positions equipment and controls height, angle, and position of scoop for optimum delivery of payload; controls amount and weight of materials being lifted to avoid exceeding equipment capacity.
• Operates motor-grader, scraper, 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 appropriate settings and adjusts blades for height, angle, and pitch to achieve desired outcome; maneuvers equipment and operates mechanisms to skillfully set gradient, smooth surfaces, and spread materials.
• Operates sewer trucks to inspect and maintain water and sewer lines, including jet truck and TV truck; utilizes electronic video equipment to inspect lines, identify problems, and estimate distance/location of targeted areas; operates mechanism on jet/rodder truck to clean lines; repairs lines as necessary using grout and other tools/materials to stop leaks, reinforce structure, etc.; leads crew in maintenance and repair activities, providing technical assistance as necessary.
• Inspects and prepares equipment for safe and proper operation prior to beginning work for the day; performs light maintenance on equipment, which includes changing oil, refueling, and refilling lubricants; cleans vehicles, beds, and mounted equipment upon completion of assignments; secures vehicle after use.
• Drives and maneuvers equipment in order to advance projects relating to maintenance and construction activities for various departments; maneuvers in and around traffic, parked cars, crew workers, equipment, and other obstacles; obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines; monitors immediate environment and work area to ensure the safety of operator, other workers, the equipment, and the public.