Field Operator

Salary: $19.79 Hourly
Location : Public Works, 240 Palmer Road, Madison, AL
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 26-00003
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 10/21/2025
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 11:59 PM Central


General Position Summary

• Potential $0 (zero) monthly Premium Cost for Individual Health/Dental benefits.
• RSA Retirement Benefits.

This is a manual work position requiring considerable physical strength and endurance. Performs the routine tasks necessary in the maintenance of the City's Public Works services. May be assigned and reassigned to three (3) Divisions: 1) Construction, 2) Maintenance, 3) R.O.W. (Right-of-Way) Division. Performs routine, semi-skilled tasks.


May be required to perform tasks for other Divisions and may be reassigned to other Divisions at any time. Provides assistance to other staff in emergency situations such as road closing, snow, flood conditions, tornados, etc.

Examples of Responsibilities


ALL-Divisions:

• Performs safety and maintenance inspection of assigned equipment prior to operating equipment; checks oil, fluid levels and tire pressure.
• May direct lower skill workers in operation and maintenance of equipment, tools or tasks.
• Performs routine manual labor such as loading, unloading cutting, digging, installing, carrying and moving.
• May drive dump truck to haul various construction materials to and from worksites.
• Performs other duties as required.

Construction

• Operates light and medium equipment (including tractors, chain saws, post hole digging, etc.) and heavy hand tools to accomplish duties.
• Assists in paving operations, flagging, entrance level asphalting, litter control, and landscaping.
• Uses axe, bush blade, post hole diggers and seed spreader to complete assigned tasks.
• Assists in patching roads.
• Manually digs trenches to lay storm drainpipes.
• Inspects storm drains to evaluate efficiency of installation and flows.
• Lowers and levels pipes, cement joints, pack trenches and compacts soil.
• Responsible for the mixing and pouring of concrete.
• Fertilizes and plants grass, sod and other vegetation.

Maintenance

• Operates tractors with various attachments to clear right-of-ways.
• Operates light and medium equipment (including tractors, chain saws, post hole digging, etc.) and heavy hand tools to accomplish duties. Assists in paving operations, flagging, entrance level asphalting and landscaping.
• Uses chain saw and weed eater to cut trees, bushes and clear brush on right-of-ways and in ditches.
• Loads and unloads trucks of dirt, construction materials and supplies.
• Uses axe, bush blade, post hole diggers and seed spreader to complete assigned tasks.
• Assists in patching roads.
• Manually digs trenches to lay storm drainpipes.
• Inspects storm drains and clears debris to keep water free flowing.
• Lowers and levels pipes, cement joints, pack trenches and compacts soil.
• Assists in digging graves and pumping water out of graves.
• Maintains cemeteries (including removing dead flowers from graves, etc.).
• Assists in applying herbicides.
• Responsible for the mixing and pouring of concrete.
• Fertilizes and plants grass, sod and other vegetation.

R.O.W.

• Assisting in patching roads.
• Assist in work zone.
• Loads and unloads patching materials and supplies.
• Assist in applying herbicides.

Job Conditions:

• Job may require occasional overtime and work on weekends,
• Working outside in varying weather conditions,
• Works in an environment where there are fumes, temperature fluctuations, noise, dirt, dust and chemicals, etc.
• Must be able to work varying hours, extended hours, weekends and holidays and at times with little or no notice, etc.
• Must maintain a strong driving record for city-insurance purpose and record may be periodically checked by the City.
• Strong background record required, due to accessibility to city property.
• Must wear appropriate safety attire and follow all safety precautions and perform work in ditches and varying terrain.

Minimal Qualifications

• Valid Drivers license with good driving record.
• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Experience in performing manual work and work operating similar equipment and tools.
• Class B CDL (Commercial Drivers License) preferred.
• Experience operating a tractor with attachments, weed eater, chainsaw, backhoe and other related lawn equipment.
• Ability to learn to operate heavy equipment.
• Experience with light construction of city infrastructure (roads and drainage) preferred.

Supplemental Information

• Verbal skills to communicate information to supervisors and co-workers.
• Writing skills to complete routine forms and records.
• Reading skills to read maps and job orders.
• Considerable skill in the operation, maintenance and safe use of various light and medium equipment.
• Ability to work in extremely hot and cold environments.
• Ability and willingness to learn.
• Ability and willingness to wear appropriate safety attire.
• Skilled in the proper use of hand tools, chain saws, weed eaters, tractors, post-hole diggers, and other related equipment.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to work.
• Strong team and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work at a fast pace to complete a high volume of work.
• Reading skills to understand written instructions and diagrams, as well as Math skills to measure distances, etc.
• Some knowledge of the proper safety precautions involved in directing traffic and working in and around heavily congested areas.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and communicate with the public in a courteous manner.

Physical Capabilities:

• Ability to lift 80 pounds.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry 50 pounds (including equipment, fertilizer, etc.).
• Ability to be mobile in order to climb into and out of ditches for inspection.
• Work also requires the physical ability to perform heavy and sustained lifting and carrying of equipment, materials, and supplies; physical exertion requiring crawling, pushing and pulling; and standing or sitting for extended periods of time.Work also involves walking on uneven terrain; squatting, bending and stooping; and climbing on and off of machinery.
• Ability to stand/sit and perform repetitive work for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to drive.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods, often under adverse weather conditions.
• Flexibility to pick up yard debris and perform other tasks at ground level.
• Ability to see well enough to drive vehicles and equipment (corrective lenses acceptable).
• Must be able to communicate with team members.
• Ability to bend, lift and move freely, and have full use of hands in order to operate equipment and to perform cleaning and maintenance tasks.
• Flexibility to pick up ground debris and perform other tasks at ground level.

01


Do you have a valid Driver's License that allows you to drive independently?

• Yes
• No

02


If you answered YES to question #1, please provide: Driver's License no., State, & Expiration Date, (expiration date must be presented as mm/dd/yyyy).

• Yes
• No

03


This Position requires to maintain a strong driving record for City-insurance purposes and record may be periodically checked by the City. Do you have a good driving record as required by this position?

• Yes
• No

04


A strong and positive Background Record is required due to access to accessible to city property. Do you have a positive & strong background record?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have a strong work history of dependability and performance?

• Yes
• No

06


Although not required but preferred, do you have a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

07


Although not required, do you have a Class B (CDL) Commercial Drivers License with no restrictions (other than eye glasses)?

• Yes
• No

08


Do you have experience in performing manual work and operating similar equipment and tools?

• Yes
• No

09


Do you have experience operating a tractor with attachments, mower, weed eater, chainsaw and other related lawn equipment?

• Yes
• No

10


This Position requires the mobility to climb into and out of ditches for inspection. Are you able to perform this task with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

11


This Position requires the ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods, often under adverse weather conditions. Are you able to perform these tasks with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

12


This position requires the flexibility to pick up ground debris and perform other tasks at ground level. Are you able to perform these tasks with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

13


This position requires you to work in an environment where there maybe dust, noise, dirt, chemicals, temperature fluctuations & variable weather conditions. Are you able to work in this type of environment with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

14


This Position involves bending, stooping, twisting, pulling, turning, and squatting while performing essential functions as well as ability to operate saws and equipment associated with this type of work. Are you able to perform these tasks with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

15


This position requires the ability to lift 80 lbs., lift & carry 50 lbs. frequently (including equipment, fertilizer, etc.). Are you able to perform this task with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

16


The starting hourly rate of pay for this position is $19.79 per hour. Is this acceptable to you?

• Yes
• No

Required Question