Heavy Equipment Operator I

Department: Road & Bridge
Supervisor: Foreman
Supervision Exercised: None Revised: 11.19.2021
BOCC Approval Original: 10_2_2018

General Summary Summary: Performs a variety of skilled tasks involving the operation of light to heavy duty trucks

with trailers and limited heavy construction equipment. Repairs, maintains, and constructs county
roads and bridges and other related tasks as assigned under the direction of the County.
Maintains and repairs roads including plowing snow, sanding roads, grading, patching, etc. to
ensure safe transportation by all.
Other Information: Work is recurring with occasional variances from the norm, requiring a
moderate degree of complexity in the operation of light to heavy equipment. Incumbent generally
operates from established well-known procedures with the ability to solve practical problems using
a variety of instructions. Requires the ability to apply standards of road maintenance to various
situations and to take action within the parameters of the job. Incumbent works under general
direction with regular supervision. Impact of this position is typically limited to the assigned project
where most mistakes will be controlled and corrected, with some impact to road users and little
potential for high impact to the organization. Communicates regularly with others inside the
organization and occasionally with members of the public or others outside of the organization.
Work is typically performed in an outdoor setting with regular exposure to inclement weather
conditions, safety concerns related to unsafe driving conditions, and other uncomfortable
conditions. Work generally involves low stress due to the work performed, but may have
intermittent periods of high stress brought on by working long hours on continuous days. Typically
requires travel that takes place primarily within the County limits. Ability to operate pickup trucks,
dump trucks, sand trucks, front-end loaders, tractors, mowers, etc.

Essential Functions The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following duties and responsibilities which
are not listed in any particular order of priority and may be amended or added to by the County at
any time:

. Operates a variety of road maintenance equipment that includes the use of light, medium and

heavy equipment including, but not limited to, dump trucks, front-end loaders, pickup trucks,
forklifts, compressors, mowers and all other equipment used in the building and maintenance
of County roads. Also uses a variety of hand tools as needed within the parameters of road
and bridge building, maintenance and repair.

. Assists in the building, repair, and re-habilitation of new and substandard roads. Includes

culvert installation, road shaping, hauling materials, etc.. Performs preventive maintenance work on equipment and vehicles, including oil changes,

filters, fan belts, greasing, grader bits, tire changes, etc. as needed to minimize downtime of
equipment and employees. Replaces parts as necessary.

. Performs regular road repair and maintenance through asphalt patching and sealing. Uses a
variety of small and large equipment to make such repairs.

. Performs road maintenance duties by removing litter, stones, trees, dirt from slides, and other
debris from roadways, bridges and other areas. Cleans shoulders, ditches and other areas that
impact the quality of the roadways.

. Installs and maintains ditches and drainage culverts, guardrails and fences, roadway signs,

delineators, traffic control devices and other items and equipment that enhance the safety of
County highways and drivers.

. Performs winter road maintenance and snow removal through plowing, sanding and other

activities to ensure that roads remain passable. Subject to recall 24-hours, 7-days a week to
respond to dangerous road conditions.

. Maintains constant awareness of flood control and makes corrections to roads and other

elements as needed to prevent and/or manage flooding.. Installs, repairs and replaces appropriate signage as needed or directed.

. Maintain vegetation control by cutting, mowing and pruning, etc. using a variety of

equipment, mechanized hand tools and power saws.. Responsible for accuracy of job work card reporting.

. Identifies major problems with equipment in writing to the maintenance mechanic. Ensures

effective communication with the mechanic for greater effectiveness in equipment
maintenance and repair.

. Ensures that proper safety precautions, including signage, are maintained for the duration of

the job.. Responsible for the safe operation and cleanliness of the equipment to which incumbent is

assigned. Assists in the maintenance of shop cleanliness and organization.. Regular Attendance is an essential function of the position.

Secondary Functions 1. May perform flagging duties in the absence of flaggers.

. May perform general labor as needed for the completion of assigned projects.

. May be required to assist the maintenance mechanic during major equipment repairs.

. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Specifications/Minimum 1. Sufficient combination of knowledge, skills and abilities so as to competently perform the
Requirements essential functions of the job. High school diploma or equivalent required.

. Minimum of one year of related experience in the use of light to heavy equipment required or

successful completion of apprentice.

. Must possess and maintain a Class-A commercial driver’s license with endorsements of doubles,
triples and tankers.

. Requires periodic first aid training and certification after hire.

. Ability to identify and skillfully use a variety of hand tools and mechanized light to heavy

equipment used for road/bridge maintenance and repair operations.

. Ability to operate a variety of motor vehicles and construction equipment used for road
maintenance, repair and construction including, but not limited to, pickup trucks, dump
trucks, sand trucks, front-end loaders, tractors, mowers, etc.

. Ability to read and use a variety of maps.

. Ability to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.

. Must maintain a personal or home phone in working order for the duration of employment.

. Ability to read and comprehend regular instructions as well as safety rules, maintenance

instructions, regular correspondence, etc.

. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

. Ability to develop and maintain harmonious working relationships with others, both inside and
outside the organization.

. Basic knowledge of computer operation.
Working Conditions Ability to perform those physical activities necessary to complete the essential functions of the job

with the available resources, either with or without reasonable accommodation. Requires regular
exposure to inclement conditions and temperature as incumbent performs job in an outdoor setting
for much of the time. Other time is spent in a shop setting, thereby exposing employee to related
mechanical hazards. Work involves regular exposure to vibration, oils and other fluids, extreme heat
and cold, and other hazards including exposure to mechanical parts, electrical current, excessive
noise, etc. Requires regular communication with others (hearing and talking, both in person and
over the telephone); regular pulling and lifting in excess of 50 pounds; frequent fingering, grasping,
walking, and repetitive motions. Frequent climbing, reaching, feeling, standing, and all other physical
actions needed to perform the essential functions of the job. Requires good general vision.

Disclaimer This job description is not an employment agreement or contract and management reserves the
right to modify when necessary per Bonner County policy.