POSITION:  Equipment Operator

DEPARTMENT: Highway

WORK SCHEDULE:  7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., M-F, (Summer Hours Vary)

JOB CATEGORY:   LTC (Labor, Trades and Crafts)

STATUS:  Full-Time

FLSA STATUS:  Non-Exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily.  The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Steuben County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless the accommodation would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Equipment Operator for the Steuben Highway Department, responsible for operating various heavy trucks and equipment in maintaining County roads and rights-of-way.

DUTIES:

Operates various heavy equipment, trucks and power tools in clearing and maintaining County roads, sewers, ditches and rights-of-way, such as grader, gradall, paver, compaction roller, front-end loader, dump truck, crusher, chipper, water rat, mower, chain saw, air hammer and concrete saw.

Installs, repairs and cleans drainage pipes, tiles, bridges, headers and guard rails using various equipment and tools, including concrete tools, drill, hammer, power saw and wrenches.

Operates trucks to pull trailers, remove snow, haul and apply various materials, such as stone, asphalt, dirt, salt and sand.

Shovels sand, salt, hot and cold mix from trucks in clearing snow and ice and repairing roads.  Shovels and rakes aggregates and other materials from truck for pipes and other road work.

Clears brush and cuts trees using chain saw, brush cutter, bush hog, and chipper.

Periodically assists Mechanic and/or performs various maintenance functions, including checking/ adding to fluid levels and greasing equipment, changing blades on front plows and underbelly scrapers, recording in logs as required, cleaning equipment and shop area, painting, and working in back-lot. Occasionally assists with flagging/traffic control as needed.

Serves on 24-hour call for emergency situations as assigned.

 Performs related duties as assigned.

I.  SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

High school diploma or HSE.

Ability to meet all hiring and retention requirements, including passage of a CDL drug/alcohol test, and up to date medical card.

Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of Department safety policies and procedures, including OSHA guidelines and safety precautions practices.

Ability to properly operate a variety of heavy equipment, trucks, hand and power tools, including Gradall, grader, paver, compaction roller, front-end loader, backhoe, tractor, bush hog, shovel, dump truck, snow plow, chain and power saws, hammers, drills, post hole digger, post driver.

Ability to physically perform assigned duties, including driving and/or sitting for long periods, close vision, hearing, standing/walking for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, reaching, bending, grasping and fingering objects.

Ability to meet all Department hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to State requirements.

Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, work on several tasks at the same time, and work rapidly for long periods, occasionally under time pressure. 

Ability to read and interpret instruments, gauges and dials.

Ability to occasionally work extended, weekend and/or evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town, but not overnight.

Ability to regularly serve on 24-hour call and respond swiftly, rationally and decisively to emergency situations.

Possession of a valid Commercial Driver's License with required endorsements and demonstrated safe driving record. 

II.  RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent works according to a daily work schedule with priorities determined by supervisor.  Incumbent refers to supervisor unusual or unprecedented situations, such as questions concerning right-of-way.  Incumbent's work is reviewed through random checks at critical phases and upon completion of specific duties.  Errors in work are usually prevented through standard safety procedures and are detected through supervisory review.  Undetected errors may result in loss of property and/or endangerment to self or others.

Incumbent reports directly to Superintendent/Engineer.

III.  PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Incumbent's duties involve continuous physical exertion, such as driving and/or sitting for long periods, close vision, hearing, driving, standing/walking for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, reaching, bending, grasping and fingering objects.

IV.  WORK CONDITIONS: 

Incumbent performs a majority of duties in heavy equipment and outdoors and is frequently exposed to normal hazards associated with maintaining roads and rights-of-way, such as machinery, traffic, noise, grease, dirt, dust, vehicle fumes, extreme temperatures and inclement weather.  In responding to emergency situations, incumbent may be exposed to such hazards as downed power lines and/or fallen trees.  Safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid injury to self and others. 

Incumbent is occasionally required to work extended, evening and/or weekend hours, and is required to regularly serve on 24-hour call for emergency situations.