Equipment Operator - Street

Job Summary:

Operates heavy automotive and other specialized equipment in the Public Works Group.

Essential Functions:

• Performs scheduled maintenance and repairs on City streets, rights-of-ways, alleys, medians, storm water drainage systems, and retention basins;
• Operates a variety of equipment, machinery and tools used in department projects and activities, which may include weed cutters, blowers, mowers, and chainsaws; learns to operate dump truck, backhoe, front-end loader, water truck, tractors and associated attachments, and other related equipment;
• Assists in asphalt repair and replacement; dumps, rakes, spreads, and rolls/compacts asphalt; patching, crack sealing; applies cold mix to potholes; patches and repairs potholes in road surfaces; applies sealant to road cracks;
• Assists in concrete repair and replacement for sidewalks, driveways, curbs, and gutters;
• Maintains storm water drainage by cleaning catch basins, trash racks, and other storm water structures to prevent localized flooding; removes debris and other safety hazards from streets, curbs, storm drains, alleys, and adjacent public areas;
• Performs general cleaning/maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, equipment, and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, checking fluid levels, replacing fluids, greasing equipment, replacing parts, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning shop/work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; 
• May respond to emergency situations as needed involving accidents, road spills, debris, or other situations; assists with traffic control when necessary;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies and procedures;
• Display courteous, civil, and respectful behavior to all persons and shall make every effort to meet the needs of citizens requesting assistance;
• Refrain from the use of abusive, indecent or profane language or gestures in the workplace, in the performance of duties or in the presence of a member of the public;
• Perform duties in a manner that is fair, impartial, and without prejudice toward any person or group;
• Refrain from arguing unnecessarily with any person or otherwise showing a lack of self-control, ridicule, or defame any employee, elected official or any other person or any agency of the City of Columbia; 
• Display responsibility for attendance and promptness and report to the work area on time.

Communication:

• Communicates with the general public, other city employees, management, or others to explain various job functions in the absence of the crew leader from the job site. 
• Notifies customers of the nature, duration, and cause of water and wastewater service interruption, answering questions as necessary, and referring problem customers to crew leaders

Manual/Physical:

• Sets barricades and traffic cones in accordance with crew leader's instructions to safely reroute traffic away from the work area. 
• Operates a variety of construction power equipment including: jackhammer, tamper, easement machine, boring and tapping machines, and dump truck used for installing, maintaining, and repairing water and wastewater lines to facilitate project completion, to remove soil from excavation site, and move to and from different job locations.
•  Operates a motor vehicle or equipment such as: a combination truck, dump truck, crew truck with trailer carrying backhoe, various ½- and ¾-ton, or larger trucks, etc., requiring a valid Class B CDL to service and maintain the City’s water and wastewater systems. 
• Excavates the ground using a pick, shovel, spade, sharp shooter, or other tools to excavate at repair sites. 
• Moves objects, tools, and equipment (up to 75 pounds) for distances of up to 50 feet to load and/or unload and place equipment/material at job site with the assistance of hand carts, power winches, or rigging equipment. 
• Cleans work area, all hand, and/or power tools, and/or equipment around excavation site for next use. 
• Works with cleaning fluids, chemicals, piper spray, poly-vinyl-chloride, (PVC) pipe cleaner, glue, and mastic pipe sealant using normal protective equipment. 
• Manually excavates trenches and periodically exposes underground utility lines to identify any possible dangers or obstructions to backhoe operation.
•  Backfills, compacts, and cold patches holes and trenches remaining after construction maintenance or repair activity has been completed. 
• Loads materials and equipment needed for the day's work assignment(s) onto crew truck. 
• Shades, backfills, and compacts in conformance with established standard specifications for size and location of cut and type of fill material used. 
• Installs saddles, clamps, and other emergency repair devices, which may be required to stop leaks in water and wastewater mains and services.
•  Cleans, inspects, and clears blockages of wastewater mains and services.
• Works in confined spaces, at depths of forty feet, or more under a wide range, of weather conditions. 
• May enter sewer manholes, wet well, and water meter vaults as necessary. 
• Meet scheduling, and attendance requirements. 

Mental:

• Applies general procedures for cleaning, inspecting, installing and repairing streets and wastewater lines to daily work assignments. 
• Learns job-related material through on-the-job training regarding the cleaning, inspecting, repair and, installation of water and wastewater lines.

Secondary Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Supervisory Functions:

None.

Please note: the minimum qualifications stated below are a guide for determining the education, training, experience, special skills, and/or license which may be required for employment in the class. These are re-evaluated each time the position is opened for recruitment. Please refer to the most recent Job Announcement for updated minimum qualifications. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills:

• Operation of various types of heavy equipment. 
• Hazards and safety rules and precautions in heavy equipment operation. 
• Traffic laws, ordinances and rules involved in equipment operation. 
• Street layouts and routes. 
• Safe, efficient operation of assigned equipment and observance of traffic laws and regulations. 

Ability:

• Perform general maintenance and service requirements of equipment in area of responsibility. 
• Record work activities and maintain daily logs and journals. 
• Detect needed repairs to make necessary operations adjustments. 
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions and ability to work independently. 
• Coordinate eye and hand movements. 
• Provide lead supervision to personnel. 
• Fill out accident reports. 
• Deal with the public in the resolution of sanitation service problems. 
• Identify hazardous or special waste and take appropriate reporting action. 

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

• A commercial driver's license with endorsements. 
• Applicants will be required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and will be subject to further drug and alcohol testing throughout their period of employment in accordance with the City of Columbia Substance Abuse policy

Preferred Education:

• High school education or Equivalency; and
• One (1) year experience in street maintenance or civil construction; and
• Valid Commercial Driver's License Class B
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Physical Conditions:

Working Conditions:

Performed in an outdoor environment and may include working in adverse weather conditions, vehicular traffic, and hazards involving the use of power tools and equipment and hazardous chemicals and materials.