Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator IV

The Heavy Equipment Operator IV works in The Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT's) Region 3 Section 2 Maintenance Unit. The work unit exists to maintain the Colorado Department of Transportation highway system and facilities to as near original conditions as constructed utilizing available resources, personnel, equipment and material, ensuring a safe roadway for the traveling public.

About the Position

This position operates heavy, large specialized roadway equipment with complex controls requiring a high degree of skill gained through experience and training. This position is expected to serve as an expert in the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and transporting of heavy and specialized equipment. This position mentors others on safe equipment operation and maintenance. This position performs maintenance of roadside surface, facilities, structures, and appearance; providing traffic control and traffic services; operating and maintaining equipment; performing skilled labor activities; and most effectively using resources through active planning and administration.

Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Safely and proficiently drives and operates standard equipment such as tandem trucks, front end loader, backhoe, motor grader, sweepers, etc. to effectively support the skilled labor during maintenance activities;
• Safely and proficiently drives and operates specialized equipment in complex situations, such as tractor trailer combinations, tandem axle, triple axle lowboy, paving machines, lay down machine, shoulder machine, polecat, attenuator, dozer, paint truck, tow plow, aggregate spreaders, grade-all power shovels, tractor mower combinations, excavators, screening plants, pneumatic and steel drum rollers, road oil distribution trucks, tunnel and fire equipment;
• Ensures equipment is in safe operating condition to meet guidelines established by the Federal Motor Safety Carriers Act;
• Loads, secures and hauls heavy equipment; determines the weight and chooses appropriate route;
• Operates technology systems in the equipment to help with operational decision-making, inspections, and maintenance. Example systems include Truck and Equipment Controller Systems, Maintenance Decision Support Systems (MDSS), electronic fleet management systems, Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) System, etc.
• Maintains knowledge and skill in operating hand tools, including learning new pieces/types of tools and related technology;
• Completes equipment work orders in SAP.
• Performs routine work with road maintenance patrols;
• Maintains, replaces, and installs signs, delineators, fence, guard rail, cable rail, concrete rail, attenuators, etc.;
• Sets up traffic control zones;
• Plans, monitors, leads and participates in completion of specialized tasks; operates and instructs others in large and specialized equipment;
• Performs inspections of worksites such as access, utilities, permitted extra-legal loads, roadway inventory, night inspections, and storm water permits;
• Monitors above ground storage tanks, fuel, and materials;
• Uses computer software and CDOT programs to enter data and information in order to complete email, paperwork, reports, work orders, time sheets, fuel logs, supply orders, meter readings, weekly updates, on-line training and accident reports;
• Completes pre- and post-trip inspections via paper and electronically;
• Operates equipment in safety sensitive situations, such as blade patching on a heavy traffic volume highway, digging ditch in a location with buried or overhead utilities;
• Maintains proficiency in operations in three key areas: equipment maintenance (pre/post trips, operators manual, proper servicing and cleaning), safety and environmental awareness (safe operations, situational awareness, environmental impact awareness, and equipment specific operating hazards), and effective operations (accomplishing specific tasks under field conditions);
• Instructs, leads, coaches and mentors employees in all phases of maintenance activities; represents CDOT in communicating with internal and external costumers;
• Provides assistance to the public during emergency situations;
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with external entities, such as law enforcement, fire, municipalities, counties, and other state agencies;
• Attends safety and training meetings; maintains technical knowledge of safety procedures and guidance materials, including Safety Manual and Job Safety Analysis (JSA).
• Other job duties as assigned

Work Environment:

• The average work week is 40 hours a week, with periodic overtime due to emergencies or inclement weather
• Frequent travel to work sites within the Region, requiring overnight stays
• Exposure to loud noise
• Exposure to fumes, odors, gasses, dusts, etc. that may affect breathing, eyes and skin
• Required to use appropriate personal protective equipment
• Required to work with chemicals and cleaning products
• Some equipment requires the use of respirators
• Work in close proximity to heavy traffic
• Required to use various hand tools and to operate heavy equipment, such as backhoe, tractor, bucket truck, forklift, skid steer, loader, aerial devices and other equipment
• Required to drive CDOT vehicles
• May be required to travel to remote locations for equipment repair
• Exposure to High Voltage (anything over 600 V) and electrical shock
• Frequently responds to emergencies outside of regular work hours and may work overtime including weekends and holidays
• Must be willing and be physically able to work in extreme temperatures (hot and cold), variable weather conditions, and at varying elevations up to 12,000 feet for long periods of time
• Required to use computers to accomplish everyday work duties
• Travel throughout the state to operate heavy equipment for other areas when needed
• Respond to emergencies and be on-call 24 hours a day 7 days a week
• Must be able to read, understand, and follow oral and written instructions.