Under general supervision, operates a variety of general or specialized heavy equipment and medium sized motorized equipment. Equipment is utilized for construction, repair, and maintenance for the installation, service, and repair of water distribution and wastewater collection service and main lines, fire hydrants, and other components of the distribution and collection system to ensure efficient and effective services to the District community.
SUPERVISION
General supervision is provided by the CIP/Field Operations Supervisor.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following is a summary of essential functions and duties required for the position of Equipment Operator. Reasonable accommodation may be made to assist a qualified individual with a disability in an ability to perform the essential functions of this position in accordance with the district’s accommodations policy set forth in the Employee Handbook, Section 103. The district reserves the right to modify the essential functions and duties for this position in accordance with its business needs.
- Operates backhoe, Vac-Con and other heavy and medium equipment required to perform exclusive activity to meet the need of the specific job.
- Performs preventive maintenance and minor repair on medium and heavy equipment.
- Digs manholes for water systems; operates a pipe locator to locate meters, valve boxes and manholes; completes reports on work requests.
- Respectfully interacts with the public to inform them of waterline maintenance activities.
- Always ensures adherence to all traffic safety regulations and procedures.
- Participates with crew leaders and other crew members in the overall operation of the district water and wastewater systems.
- Responds to water emergencies by assessing the situation; coordinating the work crew; and completing the work.
- Provides work direction and training for other crew members.
- May operate a dump truck with a GVWR of 53,000 pounds and a 2.5-ton truck to transport heavy and medium equipment to the work site.
- Performs related duties as required; inspects, cleans, greases, fuels, and services heavy and medium equipment as necessary to maintain proper operating condition and meet safety requirements.
- Operates heavy and medium equipment under immediate supervision for emergencies, relief or training purposes as assigned.
- Operates any equipment or vehicle as required when regularly assigned employees are unavailable or to accommodate adjustments in normal work schedules.
- Comply with all safety standards as they pertain to equipment and facility operations.
- Accomplishes assigned duties using safe work practices.
- Engages in manual labor as necessary for work assignment.
- Performs pavement cuts.
- Inspects, diagnoses, and repairs failures in water and wastewater mains and manholes.
- Performs basic activities involving the service, installation, modification and repair of water distribution and wastewater collection equipment and systems.
- Locates main and service lines; installs, repairs, and replaces mains and water meters.
- Performs inspections on new installations to water and wastewater systems and reports any needed repairs to water system and wastewater.
- Performs meter change outs.
- Subject to on-call, which may include standby, rotating-duty schedule, weekends and 24-hour emergency call out with little or no notice. Any employee designated to serve on-call, who repeatedly refuses to serve on-call, or report for emergencies, shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
- Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, officials, and the public.
- Perform any other duties as required. Perform duties of immediate supervisor or coworkers as necessary to ensure continuity of operations during absences.
- Maintains safe work practices according to District’s rules and policies.
- Performs any other duties assigned by CIP/Field Operations Supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS
The following describes the knowledge and qualifications required to perform the essential functions and duties of the position of Equipment Operator.
Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:
Education: High School Diploma or GED.
Experience: Two (2) or more years of experience operating heavy equipment, tractors, backhoe, Vac-Con, and related automotive equipment. Must be able to run a crew.
License or Certificate:
· Valid Texas (or equivalent from another state) Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License; must have an acceptable driving record.
· Class “D” Water Operator license or Wastewater Collection I license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required within one (1) year of appointment to position.
· Must be able to obtain dual licensure (water and wastewater) within two (2) years of appointment to position; either Class “D” Water Operator or Wastewater Collection “I” license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
LIST OF EQUIPMENT
· Vac-con
· Water truck
· Backhoe
· Ditch Witch Trencher
· Boring Machine
· Jack Hammer
· Water Trench Pump
· Shoring Boards & Jacks
· Trench Pump Hose
· Shoring Pump
· Whacker tamper
· Pipe Clamps
· Plastic Bristle Pigs
· Light Tower
· Assorted Size Ladders
· Probe Bar
· Assorted Size Shovels
· Maul and Other Hand Tools
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
· Application of general knowledge of standard practices, methods, materials, tools, and equipment of the trade being performed.
- Application of general knowledge of operation, servicing, requirements, capabilities, limitations, and safety features of assigned equipment; pertinent traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations.
- Application of general knowledge of safety measures to operate District vehicles, equipment and tools and work in potentially hazardous areas, around moving equipment and in a variety of work areas.
- Skills in the efficient and safe operations of assigned medium size construction equipment including backhoe, air compressors, trenchers, boring machine, shoring, and other standard hand tools; operating light or medium such as a dump truck, excavator.
- Ability to operate and control backhoe, excavator and other equipment assigned.
- Ability to comply with all current requirements to the above mentioned such as elevations, disinfection, compactions, shoring, and all safety requirements.
- Ability to lift and/or carry heavy, bulky items, material and/or supplies weighing up to fifty pounds.
- Ability to adapt to field environment, exposure to dust, weather conditions, and exposure to domestic animals and insects.
- Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
- Ability to perform all the physical requirements of the position.
- Clear and concise oral and written communication skills to prepare and present information to the department manager.
- Must be able to maintain a clean driving record, i.e. must remain insurable under the district’s liability insurance policy.
- Bilingual preferred (English and Spanish).
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: The Equipment Operator primarily works in an outside environment with frequent exposure to wastewater; mechanical, electrical, chemical and confined space hazards; offensive fumes; excessive noise; heavy traffic; deep excavations; moving machinery and equipment; uneven terrain, extreme weather conditions, animals, reptiles, fumes and materials common to collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste, recycling and hazardous materials; occasional exposure to hostile customers or citizens.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in field environment; to stand, stoop, reach, bend, kneel, squat, climb, and walk on uneven terrain, loose soil, and sloped surfaces; to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 lbs. Talk, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate equipment, and reach with hands and arms. Frequently climbing in and out of trucks; sitting for an extended period.
Vision: Must be able tosee in the normal visual range, with or without corrective devices. Must be able to read.
Hearing: Must be abletohear in the normal audio range, with or without corrective devices.
Travel: Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out of area and overnight travel may be required.
PPE: Required to comply with requirements as specified in regulations for personal protective equipment, including clearance for use of respiratory protection and other associated equipment. Safety equipment includes a hard hat, traffic vest, ear plugs, eye protection, safety gloves, safety shoes, water boots, Tyvek suits, full-face mask, and dust mask
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.42 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Experience:
- Backhoe operation: 2 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
Work Location: In person
