HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR/PSO

Ft. Lauderdale Field Station Earthmoving Equipment Operator

This position will report to the Ft. Lauderdale Field Station and will be required to operate multi-excavation earthmoving equipment to preserve and maintain ditches, canals, and levee systems. Such equipment includes: dragline, excavator, backhoe, grader, dozer, front-end loader, dump truck, and knuckle boom. Specializes in installing, removing, and repairing District infrastructure, including weirs, culverts, water control structures, boat ramps, locks, and bridges on District waterways, canals, and levees. Experienced (or will train) to operate specialized aquatic plant harvesters such as towboats to cut and/or remove submerged, emergent, and free-floating noxious plants/vegetation from canals that impede navigation and flow and degrade water quality. Inspect equipment for safety issues daily and the condition of the work site before setting up equipment. Ensures adherence to safe work practices and procedures. Reads and understands signs, signals, load charts, grade stakes, excavation plans, load charts for dredging operations, operating manuals, and service procedures. Loads, hauls, and dumps materials operating a 15–25-yard dump truck, or trailer, and transports equipment and machinery on a semi-trailer to and from the job site and its loading or off-loading. Measures and verifies levels of rock or gravel, bases, and other excavated material. Monitors gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure equipment is working properly. Operates, inspects, cleans, and performs routine mechanical maintenance on assigned equipment. Moves materials over short distances, such as around a construction site, canal banks, or warehouse. Observe hand signals, grade stakes, and other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications. Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application. Uses relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with regulations or standards. May require some dragline operation. Remove cut plants from the water and store them on the machine until they can be offloaded and disposed of properly. Removes vegetation jams and fallen trees that block navigation, access, and water flow. When necessary, enter water to remove snags, debris, etc. Assists with field surveys to determine the need for and location of aquatic plant control operations. This position is subject to random mandatory drug and alcohol testing. This position may be required to perform general welding, fabricating, and modifying of materials and equipment. Other duties as assigned. Ft. Lauderdale Field Station works Monday - Thursday from 6:00am - 4:30pm.