Heavy Equipment Operator Grade 12

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to operate track or rubber-tired construction equipment with specialized functions related to maintenance and construction activities where the operation of complex mechanisms requires the highest degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse, and where work is performed to exacting tolerances. 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.

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 County roads, grounds, property, utilities, rights-of-way, and other infrastructure; 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; 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.
Operates excavator, track hoe, 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 bulldozer, scraper, and compactor to move earth, gravel, sand, and other materials for large construction and maintenance projects and landfill operations; operates mechanisms to establish rough grades or to smooth and compact surfaces in preparation for pavement, construction, or other work.

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.

Transports, loads and unloads various materials and equipment used in projects.

Performs manual labor in support of construction, maintenance, and upkeep projects: lifts, moves, loads, and unloads materials, equipment, tools, furniture, and supplies; digs ditches, trenches, and holes manually or utilizing power equipment; shovels, rakes, spreads, compacts, and levels dirt, rock, asphalt, cement, and other materials; retrieves supplies, materials, tools, equipment and other items and runs various errands as needed; collects and transports materials, supplies, tools, and equipment to and from the worksite; removes litter, debris, and deceased animals from roadways and other county property.

Follows established safety procedures: utilizes safety equipment and wears protective gear; monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; monitors traffic conditions surrounding trucks/equipment to identify obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic conditions; flags and directs traffic and places markers, signs and cones around project/work site to ensure safety of crew and the traveling public; reports any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.

Receives, prepares or completes various forms and documentation, including work orders, time cards, maintenance reports, spray records, diagrams, maps, manuals, reference materials, and other documents; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems; communicates via telephone and/or two-way radio; provides information and assistance; takes and relays messages or directs calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls as necessary.

Additional Functions:

Operates equipment and trucks included at the lower level in this job family.

Provides coverage during special events/activities as needed; responds to emergency/disaster situations as needed; provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed; and performs other related duties as required.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to determine, calculate, tabulate, or summarize data/information. Includes performing subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to exchange information for the purpose of clarifying details within well established policies, procedures and standards.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to overhaul, restore, renovate, construct, and/or rebuild equipment, machinery, or objects, requiring adherence to prescribed standards and specifications. Requires the ability to operate and control the actions of the same equipment, machinery, and/or objects.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. May include counting, recording of counts, and basic measuring.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form. Involves semi-routine standardized work with some latitude for independent judgment concerning choices of action.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties which are often characterized by frequent change.