Heavy Equipment Operator

Major Duties and Responsibilities This position is responsible for operating heavy equipment in support of landfill activities. Operates heavy equipment associated with land filling activities, including but not limited to: landfill compactor, bulldozer, loader, excavator, off-road haul truck, windrow turner, tractor, tub grinder; operates various hand tools. Maintains proper drainage of rainwater from roads and slopes. Read grade stakes, construct roads, cover trash, build lifts, and compact trash to desired amount. Excavate dirt/trash, load dirt/trash, muck out sediment ponds, repair erosion on slopes, and other activities as needed. Supervises inmate laborers and trains others as needed. Carries out a continuous effort to improve operations, compaction, and work processes. Works independently and cooperatively to provide continuous improvement and customer-driven service. Performs other related duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of the tools and equipment employed in the operation of a landfill. Knowledge of the regulations and policies utilized in the supervision of inmate laborers. Skill in the operation of heavy and specialized equipment. Skill in reading construction plans and grade stakes. Skill in oral and written communication. Minimum Educational and Training Requirements Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of specialized training in the occupational field, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education. Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years. This position is required to supervise state inmate labor. Employee must pass the Department of Corrections three-day certification within the time frame required by this department, which is normally six months but may be altered. Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated. Must obtain Commercial Driver's License within the first year of employment unless specified otherwise by the Waste Disposal Manager. Ability to obtain GA Landfill Operator Certification once employed maybe required. Ability to obtain Blue Card for erosion and sedimentation also may be required. Physical Requirements The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, walking, bending, or crouching. The employee frequently lifts light and heavy objects, climbs ladders, and uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching. Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility. Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine. Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips. Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm. Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand. Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information. Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound. Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees. Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back. Manual Dexterity – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand. Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning. Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug. Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward. Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction. Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers. Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely. Standing – for sustained periods of time. Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back. Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word. Talking 2 – shouting to be heard above ambient noise. Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading. Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision. Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures. Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment. Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts. Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site. The work is typically performed outdoors where the employee may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, machinery with moving parts, contagious or infectious diseases, irritating chemicals, and cold or inclement weather. The work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, or gloves. #J-18808-Ljbffr