Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator

Salary range: $27.37 to $30.20 DOE/Q Plus Benefits

Location: Sitka, AK

Department: Public Works

Hours: Full-Time;Benefitted

Start date: Negotiable

Job Description:

PRIMARY PUPOSE OF JOB

Operates heavy equipment in the construction and maintenance of Public Works facilities and related projects; performs related work as required.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to construct and maintain public infrastructure and related improvements within the CBS. The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Maintenance and Operations Superintendent but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. An employee in this class performs the duties of other employees in the Public Works Department or related departments as required or as assigned by supervisory personnel. In the absence of the Maintenance and Operations Superintendent or Senior Operator, an employee in this class serves as an on-site supervisor for any individual project as assigned. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Department and CBS employees and the public. The principal duties of this class are performed in an outdoor environment which may involve adverse weather conditions and related hazards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Operates graders for street and road maintenance
  • Operates backhoes for construction projects, ditch and drainage improvements and public infrastructure projects
  • Prepares, compacts and loads junked vehicles and sorts, cuts and loads scrapped metals
  • Operates street sweepers
  • Performs preventative maintenance on all heavy equipment
  • Fuels and inspects equipment daily, performs preventive and prescribed maintenance and makes minor repairs on equipment and tools
  • Rough grades surfaces, levels road beds, shapes driveways and back slopes and cuts surfaces to stakes and specified grades
  • Operates light and medium duty equipment, hand and power tools
  • Repairs and paints streets and sidewalks
  • Repairs and installs sewer and water mains and services
  • Performs minor building and plumbing repairs
  • Cleans, maintains and installs storm drain systems
  • Operates a sanitary land fill and keeps all related records for billing and permit compliance
  • Operates equipment for snow removal as weather dictates
  • Operates light to medium equipment, including dump trucks, loaders, backhoes, forklifts, bulldozer, plow trucks, vacuum truck, street patching machine, street sweeper, etc.
  • Operates mowers, chain saws and weedeaters and snow removal equipment to maintain right-of-ways, medians and common areas
  • Cleans and clears storm water inlets, drains, bridges, creeks and drainage
  • Plants trees, shrubs and plants, landscapes new construction areas and repairs or replaces landscaping disturbed during construction projects
  • Cleans and maintains CBS structures
  • Fuels, lubricates, performs preventative maintenance and inspects equipment for use in maintenance facilities and projects
  • Pours and forms CBS street markers and helps set finished products
  • Cleans and restores construction areas, job sites and other project areas
  • Cleans, maintains and repairs tools, equipment and facilities
  • Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions
  • Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems
  • Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audiovisual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas
  • Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
  • Performs other related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

  • Thorough knowledge of the operation and upkeep of all heavy equipment used in municipal operations
  • Good knowledge of construction equipment, materials and methods
  • Good knowledge of traffic hazards and traffic safety principles, practices and procedures
  • Good knowledge of proper lifting techniques and personal protective equipment used in the operation of hand and power tools

Skills in:

  • Skill in the operation of hand and power tools

Ability to:

  • Ability to comprehend and follow safety rules and regulations
  • Ability to communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
  • Ability to understand and follow policies, procedures and instructions
  • Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations
  • Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions
  • Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
  • Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED; and

Considerable experience in utility construction and public works maintenance, including heavy equipment operation; or

Any equivalent combination of experience, education and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS OR EXPECTATIONS

Possession of a valid Alaska class A commercial driver’s license; or be able to attain one in 6 months

Ability to obtain a first aid and a CPR certification within six (6) months of employment;

Ability to obtain Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Provisional Level 1 certification within two (2) years of employment

BENEFITS 

  • PERS Defined Contribution Retirement
  • SBS Annuities program - 6.13% match
  • Employer Paid Life Insurance (employee and dependents)
  • Medical Dental Vision (90%/10% employer/employee paid) (employee and dependents)
  • Annual Leave & Sick Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Floating Holidays
  • Eligible for 457 Retirement Plans
  • Eligible for Supplemental Insurance Plans

The City and Borough of Sitka is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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