Equipment Operator I

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of the eighth grade; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. A valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7. Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicant’s Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and/or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position. Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen & physical examination, Motor Vehicle Records review and successful completion of all background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary

This is semi-skilled work operating a variety of power construction equipment and motorized vehicles for the Alachua County Public Works Department and the Solid Waste Resource and Recovery Department. An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of various types of light or medium equipment, conducting routine preventative maintenance on the equipment and performing manual tasks. Work is performed under the direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work. Exudes a positive customer service focus. Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values. Drives a County vehicle and/or personal vehicle to work sites in order to perform required duties. Operates trucks (up to 15,000 lbs GVW plus trailer of 8,000 lbs GVW) hauling fill dirt, rock, brush, trash and heavy materials. Operates pneumatic roller. Operates tractor mounted broom. Operates farm tractor mounted front-end loader/back-hoe. Operates farm and industrial tractors with attachments such as mowers, seeders, harrows, and fertilizer spreaders. Operates other similar light or medium equipment. Hauls equipment or materials on light trailers. Performs pre-operation checks of equipment; performs routine service and preventative maintenance on equipment to maintain good working order. Performs manual tasks and labor while not operating equipment as required. Assists mechanics and vehicle service attendants in minor overhaul and repair work. Completes minor repair work on equipment. Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency. NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of the occupational hazards and necessary safety precautions in the operation of light or medium equipment. Knowledge of the operating and repair characteristics of light or medium equipment. Ability to service types of light or medium equipment and to make minor repairs. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts, and is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions, and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places, and is occasionally exposed to wet, humid conditions (non-weather); fumes or airborne particles, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Benefits

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.

• Medical/Health Insurance
• Employee Life Insurance
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits.

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows:

1. New Years Day
2. Martin Luther King Day
3. Memorial Day
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day
6. Labor Day
7. Veterans' Day
8. Thanksgiving Day
9. Friday following Thanksgiving
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)
11. Christmas Day
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)
13. 2 Floating Holidays (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of Firefighters Pay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays. Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2 .

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.