Equipment Operator, Senior

Job Title

The purpose of this classification is to operate/drive heavy equipment and perform manual work associated with projects within an assigned County department, which may involve road/bridge construction/maintenance, roadside maintenance, solid waste operations, or other projects/activities. May be required to wear a duty pager and be on-call for emergency situations throughout the county.

The primary duty of this position is the transportation of product generated at each of the three convenience recycling centers located throughout the County to various vendors and processing centers through the use of specifically designed commercial vehicles capable of transporting roll-off containment systems and compactor bins. Secondary duties include assisting with activities and operational needs at the recycling centers and throughout the department as needed.

Essential Functions

Assists in providing direction, training, and assistance to employees or community service workers; coordinates daily work activities; monitors status of work, inspects completed work, and troubleshoots problem situations.

Drives/operates a variety of heavy equipment or large vehicles, drives/operates a variety of larger vehicles or equipment with specialized functions involving driving/maneuvering in and around confined spaces or involving operation of moderately complex mechanisms to perform work tasks; drives/operates a variety of light/medium equipment involving routine operation to drive from point to point or involving use of basic/simple maneuvering mechanisms to perform work tasks.

Operates a variety of equipment, machinery, and tools as necessary to complete essential functions, which may include a utility truck, single-axle dump truck, tandem dump truck, backhoe, track loader, skid loader, rubber tire loader, roll-off loader, steel wheel roller, traffic roller, thumper packer, motor grader, power broom/sweeper, bobcat, boom truck, side arm cutter, pothole patching machine, tar kettle, tar distributor truck, snow plow, cement mixer, compactor, generator, air compressor, water pump, fuel truck, tractor, bushhog, mower, chain saw, asphalt saw, jackhammer, axe, sling blade, hydro-seeder, chipper, blower, shovel, rake, post hole digger, mechanic tools, concrete finishing tools, hand tools, computerized scale system, or two-way radio.

Hauls, transports, loads, and/or unloads various equipment and materials associated with department projects.

Performs various tasks associated with construction/maintenance of roads and bridges; maintains roads, road shoulders, and ditches; installs side drains, cross drains, and creek pipes; prepares asphalt roads for deep patch work and resurfacing; scrapes dirt roads; grades new/existing roads; repairs/patches potholes; sprays/applies tar; rolls/packs road surfaces and compacts asphalt/materials; sweeps debris from roads; applies cold mix to asphalt; spreads gravel; shovels, loops, and smooths road materials; builds forms/frames for concrete structures; mixes, pours, shovels, levels, and finishes concrete; cuts/busts and removes cement/asphalt; measures grade; lays center lines and tapes.

Performs various tasks associated with roadside maintenance or grounds maintenance; cleans out ditches, drains, and pipes; mows grass and landscaped areas; cuts/trims trees/shrubbery; removes downed trees from roadways; rakes or sweeps roadways and ground surfaces; loads seed into machinery; spreads salt, sand, seed, hay, or other materials onto ground surfaces; constructs fences; erects mailboxes; removes dead animals or other debris from roadways; digs holes/trenches and shovels materials.

Performs various tasks associated with solid waste, recycling, or landfill projects/activities; coordinates/schedules trailer pickups; loads recyclable metals and debris into trailers; haul/transports dumpsters of recyclable materials or waste to collection centers; rearranges recyclable materials in bins to provide more space; monitors leach tanks; maintains monitoring wells; weighs incoming/outgoing trucks using computerized scale system; informs the public of dumping policies; collects payments for materials brought into landfill; counts/balances revenues, prepares bank deposits, and transports to bank; counts daily cash drawers; produces individual statements; secures facilities by opening/closing gates and activating alarm system; replaces trash bags in bins; cleans, greases, and maintains bins and compactors; picks up and disposes of trash/debris.

Assists with traffic control at construction/work sites; flags traffic through/around work sites; sets up safety cones, barricades, barrels, and road/warning signs; assists other equipment operators in maneuvering equipment within work sites.

Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals.

Performs general/preventive maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, equipment and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, refueling vehicles, checking fluid levels, replacing fluids, greasing equipment, replacing parts, washing or cleaning equipment, or cleaning shop or work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment.

Assists in monitoring inventory levels of equipment, tools, and supplies; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; initiates requests for new or replacement materials.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, work orders, fuel logs, vehicle/equipment maintenance reports, equipment repair requests, mowing reports, chipper reports, statements, timesheets, or other documents.

Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, work orders, rock/asphalt weigh tickets, road maps, right-of-way manuals, equipment operation manuals, policies, procedures, manuals, directories, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, vendors, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Performs special projects; responds to after-hours calls or emergency situations as needed.

This classification is designated as a safety sensitive position which is subject to random drug and alcohol testing and any other drug testing methods as stated in policies adopted by Forsyth County concerning drug and alcohol.

Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED; supplemented by vocational/technical training in equipment operation, traffic flagging, and work in area of assignment; supplemented by three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes heavy equipment operation, traffic flagging, and work in area of assignment; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must be able to obtain and maintain valid Department of Transportation Flagging Certification. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia Commercial Driver's License (CDL) including appropriate endorsement(s).