Equipment Operator

WARD COUNTY
POSITION DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT:  County Highway                                   SALARY GRADE: 18

POSITION TITLE:  Equipment Operator                         STATUS: Non-Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Road Superintendent         STORM ESSENTIAL:  Yes

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None     

EMPLOYEE NAME: ____________________________________________________

EMPLOYEE'S SIGNATURE: ___________________________ DATE: __________

SUPERVISOR'S SIGNATURE: __________________________ DATE: _________   

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

Equipment Operators operate a variety of heavy equipment and vehicles and use a variety of tools and equipment in support of the maintenance and construction of County highways and the maintenance of County bridges, equipment, vehicles and County Highway Department buildings.

2.  DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (“.” Indicates essential function)

• Haul equipment between work sites and to and from the County shops using a “low boy” tractor/trailer.

• Operate construction equipment in moving gravel, snow and dirt and in removing and installing culverts.

• Patch and seal broken and cracked pavement on County roads.

• Remove snow from County roads and sand road surfaces using County equipment and vehicles as directed.

• Haul gravel from stockpiles to road maintenance and construction sites using a tractor/trailer truck combination and release the gravel on road surfaces.

• Perform routine servicing and maintenance on County equipment and vehicles.

• Clean, paint and otherwise perform maintenance work on County buildings as assigned.

• Operate scrapers and dozers and other construction equipment for road    construction and maintenance as directed.

• Remove, replace and fix fencing along County road projects.

• Cut and remove brush and trees along County roads.

• Repair and maintain bridges.

• Work as traffic control person (flags and signs) on road construction/maintenance projects.

• Pick rocks along County roads and “rip-rap” erosion-prone embankments and drainage ways.

• Perform a variety of laborer tasks using hand tools, vehicles or equipment as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN OPERATOR IS ASSIGNED AS A DISTRICT MOTOR GRADER OPERATOR (“.” Indicates essential function)

• Patrol and “blade” gravel roads to a smooth, reshaped and level surface; remove rocks and distribute gravel evenly.

• Plow and/or remove snow and ice from roads and keep them open for vehicle traffic.

• Perform service and maintenance on the motor grader assigned to them, such as changing oil and filters, lubrication, inspecting and changing belts and tires, making adjustments, repairing minor malfunctions and replace cutting edges.

• “Pull” gravel road shoulders and shape road slopes as needed or directed.

• Manage road maintenance schedule under supervision of Road  Superintendent.

• Work at or around the County shops performing building, grounds and equipment maintenance as needed or directed.

3. SUPERVISION RECEIVED/ EXERCISED:

Equipment Operators are supervised by the Road Superintendent.  They are not assigned to supervise other positions.

4.  POSITION QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
   (“.” Indicates essential function)

• High school graduation or GED, two years of full-time, year-round construction operating and maintenance experience and the minimum of a valid ND Class A driver’s license.

• Working knowledge of driving and servicing tractor/trailer trucks, front-end loaders and various other types of construction equipment and vehicles.

• Skill in operating a tractor/trailer, front end loader and other various types of heavy road construction and maintenance equipment and vehicles, and in working and communicating effectively with others.  Experience in making pavement repairs using hot and cold mix and crack sealant materials.

• Ability to learn new methods, procedures and skills and apply them to the functions of the position; to perform a variety of tasks and functions involving very good eye/hand coordination; and to effectively use hand tools in performing job functions.

• The ability to use good judgment in working with the public and being alert to the safety of highway users and other employees.  Possess an understanding of safety rules and regulations.

5.        PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:  These support the essential function  of the  position.       

Work requires the employee to sit or walk for extended periods of time.

Normal work schedule for this position is weekdays during daylight hours; however, special occasions or conditions such as snow may require additional hours to be worked at any time and any day.

To perform the functions of the position, the employee is required to bend, stretch, lift heavy objects (up to 100 lbs.), reach, stoop, kneel and climb ladders on and off of the equipment.  The work requires moderate physical flexibility and considerable exertion and strength.  The work may occasionally leave the employee short of breath.

Must be able to record information on time sheets.

Must have vision capable of seeing medium and long distances as well as good peripheral vision.

6.     WORK ENVIRONMENT: 
 
 May be exposed to fumes and contact with petroleum products, paint, hot tar, chemicals and motor exhaust as well as dust, grass, pollen and insects.

 Employee is required to wear protective clothing and equipment such as ear plugs, protective boots, a hard hat and safety goggles for functions that require it.

 Regularly works outdoors in varying temperatures and other weather-related situations.
 
 Regularly travel to work sites.

 
7.     OTHER ASSIGNMENTS:

County department heads and supervisors reserve the right to amend the functions assigned this position, either temporarily or permanently, at any time as they determine the best interests of their departments.  Further, employees may be assigned other or additional functions to fill-in during the absence of other employees or vacancies in other positions.    

      
01-2010