Equipment Operator

PRIMARY DUTY:  Under basic supervision, performs semi-skilled work in the operation of specialized trucks and heavy motorized equipment used for a variety of job functions in the Public Works Department (PWD).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operates a variety of specialized trucks and heavy motorized equipment to repair and maintain streets, roadways and infrastructure in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures; hauls materials and transports vehicles and equipment to job sites; duties may vary according to job assignment. 
• Inspects and cleans vehicles, equipment and tools for proper operating condition; repairs, maintains and adjusts equipment; maintains usage logs; recognizes, avoids and reports unsafe acts, conditions, accidents and injuries; controls work projects to assure that safety rules and regulations are followed and that the work zone and all equipment are in safe operating condition.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Waco and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.
• Driving is essential.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge:

• City policies and procedures.
• Operation and maintenance methods and standards for heavy equipment and specialized vehicles.
• Methods, tools and equipment used in maintenance of streets, roadways and infrastructure.
• Occupational hazards and safety rules for traffic control and vehicle operations on public streets. 
• City geography, traffic patterns, streets, landmarks and PWD facility locations.

Skill in:

• Performing street and roadway maintenance and repair work.
• Making routine operating adjustments, repairs and preventive maintenance to assigned equipment. 
• Closely following verbal and written instructions and procedures and safe work practices.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required; AND two years’ heavy equipment operations experience.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION: 

• A valid Texas Class A Commercial Driver’s License with Tanker Endorsement is required at the time of interview. 
• Special training and licensing may be required for some incumbents. 

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.

• The physical activity of this position 
  1. Balancing - Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling and walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. 
  2. Stooping - Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. 
  3. Reaching - Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. 
  4. Standing - Particularly for sustained periods of time. 
  5. Walking - Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another. 
  6. Pushing - Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward. 
  7. Pulling - Using upper extremities to exert force in order to drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion. 
  8. Lifting - Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles. 
  9. Finger Dexterity - Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling. 
  10. Grasping - Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. 
  11. Feeling - Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips. 
  12. Talking - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. 
  13. Hearing - Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make the discriminations in sound. 
  14. Repetitive motion - Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers. 
• The physical requirements of this position 
  1. Heavy work. Exerting in excess of 75 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• The following personal protective equipment may be required and must be worn when required by the task being performed
  1. Hardhats, gloves, eye protection, ear protection, reflective vests and proper footwear up to and including steel toed boots.
• The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field vision. 
  1. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: visual inspection involving small defects, small parts and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.
  2. The worker is required to have visual acuity to perform an activity such as: operates machines, such as lathes, drill presses, power saws and mills where the seeing job is at or within arm's reach; performs mechanical or skilled trades, tasks of a non-repetitive nature. 
  3. The worker is required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment. 
• The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position
  1. The work is performed primarily within outside environmental conditions; with travel from area to area.
  2. The worker is subject to exposure to hazardous traffic conditions
  3. The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside with temperatures that may be below 32° or above 100° for periods of more than one hour.  Consideration should be given to the effect of other environmental conditions, such as wind and humidity.
  4. The worker is subject to noise. There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above ambient noise level.
  5. The worker is subject to hazards including a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals. 
  6. The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions. One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system or the skin: chemicals, fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases, or poor ventilation. 

This job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. City management has exclusive rights to alter this job description at any time without notice.
 
 Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
 
 This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an 'at-will' relationship.