HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Job Title

Employee is responsible for the repair and/or maintenance of city streets with the use of equipment such as a backhoe, front end loader, excavator, dump truck, street paving machine, motor grader, street sweeper and other similar department equipment; and assists department personnel with drain ditch cleaning/maintenance and the completion of a wide range of department projects. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties. Operates street sweeper to clean and remove sand, litter, trash and debris from public rights-of-way, city streets and highways within city limits with knowledge of the geographic area of Weslaco City to interpret maps to find location of work sites.

Essential Job Functions

Maintain regular and prompt attendance; physically present to work.

• Operates equipment such as backhoe, front end loader, excavator, dump truck, and similar equipment used in the completion of assigned public works projects including the maintenance of ditches to prevent any obstructions and/or corrosion.
• Uses a variety of hand tools such as shovels, weed eaters, and chainsaws to cut grass, clean sidewalks, cleans and removes debris from City right-of-way and alleyways and performs public works related tasks around trees, wires, cars, and personal property and fellow workers.
• Operates paving equipment such as a Paving Machine, Motor Grader, Roller, Front End Loader, Dump Trucks, and other heavy equipment for overlay reconstruction of streets.
• Performs routine maintenance of assigned equipment and trucks.
• Employee is familiar with the work routine and use initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently with specific instruction.
• Employee will refer to the supervisor to get advice and further instructions on new or unusual assignments. Supervisor reviews work to remain aware of progress, work methods, and technical accuracy.
• Work is self-checking.
• Employee's interactions require ordinary courtesy and tact whether they are dealing with co-workers or the public.
• Required to respond to emergency situations as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

• Must have a high school diploma; or equivalent.
• Position prefers a valid Class B Commercial Driver's Licensed but not required.
• Three to five (3-5) years of work-related experience to perform this job.
• Applicant must pass pre-employment background check and drug screen at City's expense.
• Must successfully complete Emergency Management and Incident Command Training within the first three (3) months upon hire.

Skills and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE - Knowledge of safe and effective operation of equipment and machinery; working knowledge of public works department operations. Working knowledge of the location of city streets.

ABILITIES - Ability to read and interpret construction project plans, pay careful attention to details, perform work under extreme weather conditions for long periods of time. Ability to recognize unsafe working conditions to ensure that appropriate safety precautions are taken to ensure employee safety

SKILLS - Skills in the operation of equipment in a safe and efficient manner.

ACCOUNTABILITY – Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgement could result in excessive costs, delay of service delivery or legal repercussions.

JUDGEMENT – Well-defined or detailed rules, instructions, and procedures cover all aspects of work. Judgement involves choosing the appropriate practices, procedures, regulations, or guidelines to apply in each case.

COMPLEXITY – Work consists of simple, routine, or repetitive tasks and/or operations with few variations in established procedures.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Work requires moderate intermittent physical strength and effort daily. Work includes lifting, moving, and positioning/loading heavy objects (up to 100 lbs.), pulling, pushing, remain stationary or moving about for the full workday may also be involved. Driving in adverse weather troublesome road conditions may be required.

Employee constantly performs work outdoors on a variety of public works projects. Employee is exposed to equipment/machinery, noise, odors, chemical fumes, dust, smoke, heat, cold, oil, dirt or grease, and risk of personal injury.

Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours at nights and/or on weekends in response to emergency situations.

Duties may involve a high degree of intense mental concentration together with hand and eye coordination and visual attention for long periods in performing activities such as operation or repair of a Class A vehicle or Class C hydraulic equipment.

Duties regularly present potential risk of injuries from improper exposure that could result in loss of time from work.

Special safety precautions, training, or protective clothing such as gowns, coats, gloves, glasses, hats or boots may be required.

Workday consists of sitting, standing, driving, lift/carry, repetitive movement including operating foot controls, vision skills including 20/20 distinguishing colors and depth perception, normal frequency hearing skills, ability to communicate in person and on the phone.

Employees must have the ability to make good judgment when making decisions regarding their regular job duties and be able to have the following mental functions: reading, simple math calculations, and withstanding moderate amounts of stress.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel, so assigned to this position. This job description does not constitute and employment agreement and is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.

Any applicant selected for employment with the City of Weslaco must receive satisfactory results from pre-employment drug testing, references, background checks, and credential verification.