Light Equipment Operator

Performs highly skilled labor tasks and the operation of light equipment required for the maintenance, repair and construction of streets, sidewalks, grounds, equipment, facilities, utilities, and other publicly owned property. Works with private utilities and construction companies to minimize service disruptions.

All Public Works positions are required to participate in winter snow operations, inclement weather & seasonal events, and other emergency related activities. Overtime is required outside of the normal scheduled hours of this position. Overtime includes 2nd and/or 3rd shifts, responding to emergency situations including participation on weekends when required.

The City offers an exceptional benefits package including generous paid vacation, personal, parental leave, and sick time; health insurance & a large employer paid Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution toward deductible; dependent care FSA fully funded by City to maximum amount allowed of $5,000; enrollment in the NHRS Municipal Retirement plan with employer contribution; City paid dental insurance, life insurance, & short-term disability and other flexible benefit options.

Essential Functions: (The essential functions, or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Operates heavy trucks both single and dual axle with or without attachments such as plows, sanders, chemical spreaders for removing and/or hauling of debris, snow, and ice, etc. from public property, and transporting materials.

• Operates sidewalk tractor with attachments for mowing, removing debris, snow, and ice, etc.

• Performs roadside mowing, brush, and tree removal; street and sidewalk sweeping and pothole repair and paving.

• Cleans ditches, catch basins, performs sign repair and replacement and flagging for traffic control.

• Performs maintenance, repair, and construction work; may supervise work crews as senior person; maintains records of work performed and staff time.

• Operates front-end loader for the loading of materials intro trucks. Operations are limited to off-road areas such as material storage areas. May operate on road only while in transit from the storage area to assigned material storage areas within City limits.

• Assists in coordination of work activity with other departments, groups, teams, agencies, and the public; plans and prioritizes long-range work plans and outlines capital improvements.

• Performs walk around inspection on assigned equipment and preventive maintenance tasks such as greasing, fluid top offs, etc. necessary for the proper operation of equipment.

• Estimates and requisitions material, supplies and equipment to support projects, taking appropriate action to prevent failure or interruption of these systems.

• Occasionally leads work in any planned service interruptions or shut down and repair of systems during emergencies and during winter operation events/activities.

• Assists in supervision and coordination and inspects work activities to ensure that schedules are met, and that work is performed in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with standard operating procedures and policies.

• Responds to snow emergencies to shovel and remove snow and ice from walkways steps and pavements; assists equipment operators in plowing, sanding and/or salting operations. May be assigned to drive 1-ton and/or sidewalk plow. Working outside of normal scheduled hours weekdays and on weekends in inclement weather is required.

• Assists the Group Manager and Division Supervisor with the daily management of the appropriate staff.

• May serve as the Division Foreman in his/her absence.

• Assists other co-workers in the group in the completion of work responsibilities, as necessary.

• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.

Education, Training and Experience:

• High School Graduation.
• Three years’ experience in equipment operation in utility and/or highway construction.
• Other combinations of education and experience that qualify an individual to perform the requisite job duties and responsibilities may be considered.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

• Knowledge of proper care and use of equipment utilized in the construction trades.
• Knowledge of the regulations, work hazards, safety practices and traffic laws relating to equipment operation.
• Knowledge of street, ground, and sidewalk maintenance and of methods to combat snow and ice.
• Ability to understand and adhere to city policies and procedures.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, and the public.
• Ability to use computers and small digital devices such as cellphones, laptops, tablets, or other related electronic devices necessary to perform Public Work functions and activities.
• Skill in the use and care of equipment utilized in the department.
• Proficient with computer technology as it relates to this position.
• Effective communication skills.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B.

Physical Requirements:

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.

• Lift or move: up to 100 pounds or more: occasionally
• Lift or move: up to 60 pounds or more: frequently
• Stand: more than 2/3 of the time per day
• Walk: more than 2/3 of the time per day
• Sit: more than 2/3 of the time per day
• Talk or Hear: more than 2/3 of the time per day
• Use hands to finger, handle or feel: up to 2/3 of the time per day
• Climb or balance: up to 2/3 of the time per day
• Stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl: up to 2/3 of the time per day
• Reach with hands and arms above the head/shoulders & below the knees: up to 2/3 of the time per day
• Vibration: more than 2/3 of the time per day
• Vision: Vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus at or correctable to normal ranges.

The position lifts heavy objects, walks and stands for long periods of time and performs strenuous physical labor under adverse field conditions. The employee lifts, pushes, pulls or carries objects; uses abdominal and lower back muscles to provide support over time without fatigue and effectively jumps, sprints or throws objects. The position requires good manual dexterity (hand, hand with arm, two hands) and multilimbed coordination. The position requires the ability to quickly move arms and legs. The employee must have excellent stamina.

Job Environment:

• Frequent, more than 2/3 of the time work outside work under variable weather conditions, up to 1/3 of the time, work in high, precarious places, with toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes, or airborne particles. Works near moving mechanical parts up to 2/3 of the time. Work environment has a very loud level of noise.
• Operates trucks in excess of 26,000 pounds, an automobile, light trucks, hand/power/pneumatic and power tools, heavy and light equipment, tractor, mower, roller, and chipper; computer, office machines.
• Ability to use computers and small digital devices such as cellphones, laptops, tablets, or other related electronic devices necessary to perform Public Work functions and activities.
• Interacts with the public. Communication is generally in person and involves an information exchange dialogue.
• Errors could result in delay or loss of service, and personal injury to self and/or others, damage to equipment and possible monetary loss.