Heavy Equipment Operator - Public Works

Heavy Equipment Operator

Operates large and valuable equipment. Operates various types of heavy equipment such as a maintainer or gradall, engaged in construction, repair, or maintenance of county roads and bridges.

The employee is required to be on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies, as directed by the supervisor.

Serves as primary operator of heavy gasoline and/or diesel equipment, such as a maintainer or a gradall, engaged in landfill maintenance and operations or complex construction and repair work.

Operates other equipment used in road and bridge construction maintenance and repair, such as front-end loaders, tractor-mowers, trucks, sweepers, water trucks, backhoes and rollers.

Checks oil, water, fuel, tires, hydraulic system, etc., and makes appropriate adjustments to be sure vehicle or equipment is in proper operating condition before leaving for job site.

Performs minor repairs and cleaning of equipment.

Builds new roads and reworks roadways with minor supervision, incorporating stabilization and base requirements to produce a finished product.

Patches roads with asphalt and caliche.

Performs routine maintenance support and activities to include maintenance and construction work, drainage work, traffic control, right-of-way mowing, etc.

May use front-end loader to load trucks, clean out creeks or alleys and cut ditches to grade.

May repair streets and install pipes across roads.

May lay asphalt on roads and compact road beds.

May assign work to and review work of other road crew members in supervisor's absence.

Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Depending on assignment, may supervise and/or direct the work of a crew on an intermittent basis. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with Nueces County organization policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include training employees, planning, assigning and directing work and resolving problems.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Any employee who drives a vehicle on official business must have a driving record which meets standards set by the County and the County's insurance carrier.

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or 10 plus years of experience in the operation of heavy equipment or road construction equipment.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Must possess a (Class B) Commercial Driver License, tanker, and no restrictions.

Thorough knowledge of the safe operation of the equipment used and of the provisions of the Texas Motor Vehicle Code relating to operation of heavy motorized equipment.

Sufficient skills to operate sophisticated equipment effectively and safely.

Ability to service and make minor repairs on equipment.

Adequate knowledge of safety standards to prevent hazards.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other county employees, officials, and the general public.

Good driving record.

May require knowledge of road blading and finishing.

Ability to read grade stakes.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb or balance, and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.