Heavy Equipment Operator I

Heavy Equipment Operator

The Harris County Flood Control District is seeking qualified candidates for the Heavy Equipment Operator role, responsible for operating various pieces of small-sized construction equipment, small engines, attachments, power tools, and hand tools to construct, repair, and perform maintenance to channels and bayous within Harris County.

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Operate small-sized construction equipment such as excavators, dozers, rubber tire backhoes, skid steers, and other machinery for channel and bayou maintenance.
• Drive and operate county vehicles and equipment on all terrain surfaces.
• Construct concrete forms, place rebar, pour, and finish concrete structures such as inlets and manholes.
• Build and repair manholes, inlets, and stormwater infrastructure components.
• Install corrugated metal pipe outfalls, signage, gates, and bollards.
• Clear debris, trees, rocks, and other large obstacles from right-of-way and channel bottoms.
• Flag traffic and act as a spotter for other equipment operators during the ingress and egress of work sites.
• Inspect County vehicles and equipment for safety.
• Assume additional responsibilities as required, adapting to the District's evolving demands, responsibilities, needs, and objectives.

Education:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent

Experience:

• One (1) year of experience operating small-sized equipment
• One (1) year of experience as a laborer

Licensure:

• Valid Class "C" Texas Driver's License.
• Must have or obtain a Forklift certification within 90 days of employment.

Knowledge Skills, and Abilities:

• Requires good diagnostic and troubleshooting skills to solve unusual work problems.
• Requires good organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize and schedule multiple tasks/initiatives.
• Knowledge of construction standards, practices, and techniques.
• Familiar with Microsoft Outlook.
• Ability to speak, read, and comprehend English
• Ability to operate hand levers and foot pedals simultaneously.
• Work independently with limited supervision, relative autonomy, and general review.
• Be a self-starter; assume ownership of organizing work and completing assigned tasks.
• Work well with a team in a field environment.
• Effectively communicate with coworkers and the general public.
• Work well under pressure, adhering to tight deadlines and accuracy/quality standards.
• Read/comprehend written materials, e.g., policies, procedures, operating instructions, and safety notices.
• Write/record legible notes of activity and correctly complete required forms.
• Solve simple mathematical problems that may be required in typical work situations.

Position Type, Hours and Salary:

• Regular | Full-Time | Non-exempt
• 40 hours per week
• Salary: To be discussed at interview

Locations:

• Fast Action Team | 7522 Prairie Oak Drive Houston, TX 77086

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

• Frequent walking up and down steep slopes of ditches or on rough and uneven surfaces or ground such as sloping terrain, plowed or furrowed areas, or construction sites.
• Frequent driving of vehicles with automatic or four-wheel drive controls, with the need to enter and exit high-profile vehicles.
• Frequent stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying of items up to 11 pounds and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Prolonged sitting for extended periods of time, occasional ascending and descending stairs.
• Prolonged operation of hand levers and foot pedals simultaneously.
• Occasionally may enter the channel in water up to three feet in depth or from the bank to dislodge and remove large obstacles, drifts, and debris that impede water flow around and under bridges or other areas.
• Approximately 100% of duties are performed outdoors where there will be routine exposure to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture, air pollution, wind, and dust.
• When at field locations, may be exposed to vegetation retardants, herbicides, fertilizers, petroleum products, including but not limited to gasoline, oil, grease, diesel, and other fuels and lubricants, snakes, wildlife, wasps, bees, and other flying or walking insects.
• When at field locations, may be exposed to aquatic bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, vibration, or noise in excess of 85 decibels.