Equipment Operator

Equipment Operator I

Operates and maintains rollers, dump trucks, rough loaders, and rough dozer; assists in the construction and repair of county roads, culverts, and/or bridges; performs various work with hand tools; and occasionally operates other light and heavy equipment. Performs moderately complex (journey level) transportation operations or maintenance support work. Performs various transportation operations or maintenance activities, including patching broken or eroded pavement, operating trucks, removing debris from roadways, and repairing street signs and crosswalks. Uses trucks and other heavy and light equipment. The Equipment Operator I supports other assignments relating to the maintenance of County roads, bridges, parks, and rights of way. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Duties

• Drives and operates light and heavy equipment, including track and pneumatic tire excavation equipment, loaders, asphalt paving machines, backhoes and dozers, motor graders, steel drum, and pneumatic tire compaction machines, and other equipment.
• Performs traffic control at the job site to ensure a safe working environment. Places and gathers traffic control signs and barricades within construction work zones and directs traffic.
• Performs various additional general labor tasks associated with assigned construction and maintenance projects as required.
• Maintains an accurate daily record of team performance, including timekeeping, materials utilized, equipment deployed, and other job related job site issues.
• Operates heavy equipment under immediate supervision for emergency relief or training purposes as assigned.
• Removes trash, erects barricades, installs culverts, repairs, erects signs and guard rails, places hot or cold asphalt mix, repairs driveway approaches.
• Replaces and repairs signs and signposts, including welding and cutting signs and metals as needed.
• Performs work with hand tools, including digging trenches, filling excavations, mixing concrete, cutting down trees, brush, and removing driftwood and debris from culverts.
• Responsible for pre- and post- vehicle/equipment inspections to ensure quality and safety.
• Drives tractor-trailer truck, water truck, oil truck, pickup truck, or other truck hauling materials to construction or repair sites.
• Occasionally operates other heavy and light equipment, including rotary broom, patch truck, patching machine, combination water truck, backhoe, rough carpenter, tractor shredder, pneumatic roller, tractor mower, vibratory and steel wheel rollers, and asphalt distributor truck.
• Assists in road base preparation and sub grading tasks prior to paving.
• Assists with clearing of brush, traffic control, and cleaning of drainage ditches.
• Assists with patching, tamping, packing, and leveling dirt, asphalt, or other materials during pothole repair, reconstruction of road shoulders, and crack sealing.
• Perform other work as assigned.

Position Requirements

Requires a High School diploma or GED equivalent. Requires one year of experience in construction, maintenance, or repairs of roadways, bridges, and operating heavy and light construction equipment or related experience. Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with a good driving history. Prefer CDL driver's license with endorsements.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of: Applicable safety practices and regulations. Applicable provisions that reduce operating hazards and enhance safety rules, regulations, and precautions. Accepted maintenance, construction standards, and processes for Roadway Right of Way maintenance activities. Operation and maintenance characteristics of primary hand and power tools. Proper implementation and maintenance of Traffic Control plan as outlined in the Texas Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Skilled in: Operating a variety of road maintenance light and heavy equipment safely at an advanced level. Both verbal and written communication, including conveying and following instructions and providing information to the public. Diagnosing equipment problems and making field repairs and adjustments. Applying proper and applicable safety practices, procedures, and regulations. Working with others, including working as a team member. Ability to: Safely and correctly operate road construction and maintenance equipment using proper techniques. Understand and precisely follow both verbal and written instructions and communicate concisely and effectively. Maintain accurate records. Reason and make sound judgments. Work independently and efficiently. Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public. Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination, and manual dexterity. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to extreme temperatures, outside elements, noise, vibration, contact with dust, fumes and hazardous chemicals, foul odors, animal and human fecal matter, insects, and rodents. Requires the use of Personal Protective Equipment as required by job circumstances. May work weekends or in an emergency. Public Works/Consolidated Roads employees may be required to respond to emergency situations, and may be required to train in emergency response and perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the standard functions of this position and should not be constructed as a thorough description of all work requirements. The characteristics of the work environment described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Lubbock County will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant's race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.