GEARY COUNTY JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator/

Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee

FLSA: Non-Exempt Salary Range: 30- $22.45/hr. Trainee: 30 – $21.38/hr.

Reports To: Road and Bridge Supervisor PCN: VARIOUS

Department: Public Works Department Date: February 2020

JOB SUMMARY

The job duties of the skilled Heavy Equipment Operator include but are not limited to provide highway and bridge maintenance and construction, construction and maintenance materials handling, and highway facilities maintenance; and to provide responsive, courteous and efficient service to County residents and the general public. Performs other duties as assigned. NOTE: Employees that do not meet the minimum qualifications for a Heavy Equipment Operator may be hired as a Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee. Employee will have one (1) year to complete the training, as determined by the Public Works Director, and complete all of the minimum requirements outlined below.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties described below are indicative of what the Heavy Equipment Operator might be asked to perform. This job description is to incorporate any County resolutions for the position of Heavy Equipment Operator or other designated equipment job descriptions. This position description is not designed to list all tasks and responsibilities of this position. Geary County reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need may arise. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Equipment Operation. Operates heavy equipment such as motor grader, roller, dozer, backhoe, oil distributor, loader, and other related heavy equipment. Performs finish grading operations. Communicates with other truck drivers and other operators to coordinate materials handling and delivery. Responds to emergency situations including high water, blocked roads, washouts, snow and ice events, cargo spills, traffic accidents and others as directed. Performs general highway maintenance and related activities including snow and ice removal, temporary and permanent asphalt surface repairs, patching holes, sawing pavement, concrete repairs, sign repairs, clearing brush, hauling materials, flagging traffic, roadway vegetation control, sweeping intersections, routing, and sealing road cracks, culvert and drainage work, removing dead animals and trash and buildings and facilities maintenance repairs. Measures and places grade and alignment stakes using tapes, measuring devices and construction grade levels. Operates loader and equipment for stock piling of road salt, sand, gravel, and patch material. Ensures all materials, vehicle and equipment are secured and are used in a safe and proper manner whether at job site or on Highway property. Performs various assignments including painting, moving furniture, building bleachers and barricades, etc.

Equipment Maintenance. Perform necessary maintenance and preventative maintenance to assigned machinery and equipment as directed.

Administrative Functions. Record and make reports for production, plant, inventory, state, federal and other types of reports and/or recordkeeping requirements. Assists and/or is responsible for maintaining stockroom inventory, supplies; includes delivery, maintenance and cleaning of stockroom supplies and designated areas.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required at the time of hire or for the continuation of employment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Three (3) years of experience in heavy equipment operation such as a grader, loader, plow truck, and tractor.
• One (1) year of experience operating motor grader.
• One (1) year of road maintenance experience.
• Class A Kansas CDL.
• Tanker endorsement within 60 days of employment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINEE

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Class A Kansas CDL.
• Tanker endorsement within 60 days of employment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of road and bridge construction and maintenance, construction materials, materials handling, grading, excavation, drainage systems, foundation soils, soils and construction materials compaction and construction staking.
• Knowledge of operation and maintenance of assigned equipment and machinery including hydraulic systems, trailers, towing, fastening, and covering of loads, lifting capacities and proper loading to meet safe and efficient weight distributions.
• Knowledge of Digger’s Hotline, utility markings and clearances and rules for safe equipment operation in close proximity to underground and overhead utility facilities.
• Knowledge of construction industry safety rules as identified in the Geary County Highway Department of Employee Safety manual.
• Knowledge of legal load limits for assigned equipment and trucks.
• Ability to operate assigned machinery and equipment skillfully and safely in close proximity to vehicular traffic, grade and alignment stakes, slopes, trucks, other construction equipment, laborers and utilities.
• Ability to oil, grease, fuel and perform preventative maintenance on assigned equipment and machinery.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor when dealing with the public.
• Ability to take control of situations in a responsible manner.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence, Federal, State, and local regulations, safety manuals, operating and repair manuals, warning labels, etc.
• Ability to operate a variety of equipment relating to construction and maintenance or roads and bridges.

EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• Ability to operate various types of equipment i.e. motor grader, crane, tractor, roller, loader, backhoe, oil distributor and other heavy and light construction and maintenance equipment.
• Ability to use two-way radios, computer, fax machine, measuring tapes, levels, hand tools, power tools, and other machinery.
• Ability to use GPS and GIS data relating to county landmarks, roads, etc.
• Other equipment could be required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a professional and friendly manner with customers, citizens, co-workers and management.
• Ability to communicate in both written and verbal form.
• Ability to communicate and convey information regarding policies and processes to others in both written and verbal form.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to respond to complaints and grievances posed by the public.
• Ability to define problems and deal with a variety of situations.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Ability to use good judgment and effectively solve problems.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environments described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Physical Environment:

• The duties of this job include physical activities such as stooping, kneeling, standing, reaching, walking, lifting and/or move (up to 100 pounds), grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, and repetitive motions.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• Must be able to operate equipment and machinery in all types of weather conditions including snow removal in the winter.
• Due to the volume, scope, size of staff and nature of public service this office provides, full-time regular attendance is essential.