Equipment Operator

General Functions/Distinguishing Characteristics

The employee occupying this position is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of heavy and light equipment for maintenance and repair of City of Palmer streets, sewer, storm water, water utilities, street lighting, airport runways taxiways parking aprons, airport lighting steam thawing utilities and parking lots.

The Equipment Operator is responsible for safe and efficient operation of equipment. Work is performed with some independence within prescribed guidelines standards, and procedures. Individual judgment is particularly important in situations where dangerous construction and weather conditions are involved.

Essential Functions & Duties

Operate heavy equipment (grader, backhoe, front-end loader, dump trucks, boom / bucket trucks, street sweeper, steam thawing equipment sand trucks, water trucks, solid waste equipment, Vactor trucks, snow blowers, brush hog attachments etc.) for maintenance, repair and construction of streets, drainage ditches, airport runway and parking, sewer, and water utilities in a safe skillful manner.

Perform and assist in testing or maintenance work as required on water sewer main lines and connections, water and sewer treatment plants, city buildings and facilities.

Perform repairs of street lighting, load centers, traffic control equipment, streetlight maintenance or locate requests on city streets.

Perform manual labor as required in construction, repair and maintenance of city equipment, utilities, signs, roadways and facilities.

Perform routine minor maintenance on city equipment as required for safe operation, grease, check oil levels, tire change, rebuilding tire chains, cutting edge replacement, installing & uninstalling snowplows, and snow gates on equipment.

Perform on call work on weekends and emergency call outs as required by the Public Works Director or Superintendent.

Perform other related duties as assigned by the Public Works Superintendent.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Personal Qualifications

High school diploma or general education degree (GED).

Current valid State of Alaska Class A or B – Commercial Driver's License with acceptable driving record.

Ability to operate various pieces of heavy equipment in a safe and efficient manner with a minimum of three (3) years experience. Experience with construction and maintenance of sewer, water systems, streets and street lightning desirable.

Ability to use judgment with the provision of periodic preventive maintenance as well as in determination of costs and benefit of repair versus replacement of equipment.

Ability to operate and work with electrical voltage meters and have working knowledge of basic electrical systems.

Ability to understand OSHA job specific requirements and working knowledge of SDS sheets to perform safety sensitive assigned tasks.

Skill in the safe usage of equipment and trucks, as required by the position.

Ability to work as a member of a team of staff working towards a common goal.

Ability to meet attendance requirements for the position.

Supplemental Information

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY PERSON(S) ASSIGNED TO THIS POSITION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL IN THIS POSITION. ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

Benefits

The benefits outlined below are for eligible full-time employees who are regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week. Health, dental and vision insurance is available thru Premera BCBS. The City provides a life insurance policy thru MetLife as well as a short-term disability (STD) policy and an employee assistance program is available to all City employees (regardless of the number of hours worked) in addition to their eligible dependents. All employees in this category are enrolled in the State of Alaska Division of Retirement PERs program. Supplemental benefits are available from Colonial Life, AFLAC, Allstate and MetLife as well as several 457 plans. These supplemental benefits are employee paid. Information regarding leave benefits can be viewed in Palmer Municipal Code, Title 4 at or by contacting Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io