Equipment Operator II, Utility Services

About the role

The purpose of this classification is to operate light and medium-sized equipment and perform manual work functions associated with construction, maintenance and repair of City streets/roads, drainage systems, right-of-way areas, parking lots, parks, recreation facilities, grounds areas, or other areas of assignment. Emphasis is on the operation of trucks, tractors, and other equipment that include mechanisms that are somewhat complex to operate, requiring more dexterity and finesse, or larger vehicles requiring a higher level of skill to drive/maneuver in and around confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a crew leader or lead worker for specific project assignments; monitors and oversees assigned workers to ensure safety; directs work of crew to ensure that assigned tasks are completed.
• Operates various equipment and vehicles to complete tasks related to the maintenance, upkeep, installation, and construction of City grounds, property, utilities, rights-of-way, and other infrastructure for departmental operations; drives vehicles over public roads, work sites, rights-of-way, parks, public works facilities, and other City property; maneuvers in and around traffic, parked cars, equipment, utilities, and other obstacles; obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines; monitors immediate environment and work area to ensure the safety of operator, other workers, the equipment, and the public.
• Drives roll-off container truck to haul materials to and from work sites; maneuvers and positions vehicle to allow for proper alignment of containers to be placed or retrieved; connects container to truck and operates winch, checking for proper load distribution and support for the vehicle; secures all doors, gates, and fasteners to prevent spillage or loss of load during transport; dumps material at appropriate location.
• Operates backhoe to perform basic digging, trenching, and clearing of land or materials for maintenance and upkeep projects for public utilities and other infrastructure; controls placement of equipment and determines optimum approach to each digging scenario in order to minimize destruction of property and avoid electric, water, sewer, and other public utility lines.
• Inspects and prepares equipment for safe and proper operation prior to beginning work for the day; performs light maintenance on equipment, which includes changing oil, refueling, and refilling lubricants; cleans vehicles, beds, and mounted equipment upon completion of assignments; secures vehicle after use.
• Responds to emergency calls during inclement weather, or other emergency situations.
• Utilizes precautionary safety equipment and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals.
• Receives, prepares or completes various forms and documentation, including work orders, time cards, maintenance reports, spray records, diagrams, maps, manuals, reference materials, and other documents; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems; communicates via telephone and/or two-way radio; provides information and assistance; takes and relays messages or directs calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls as necessary.

Requirements

• Must possess a valid Class B commercial driver’s license and may be required to obtain Flagging certification.
• Will be required to obtain a valid State of Louisiana Class A or B commercial driver’s license at time of appointment and must maintain throughout employment for this classification.
• Positions In Utility Services Department must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Will be required to obtain a valid State of Louisiana Class A commercial driver’s license with Air Brakes and manual transmission endorsements within five (5) months of hire.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; supplemented by two (2) years experience in the operation of medium-sized equipment, such as bush hogs, backhoes, mini-excavators, large tractor-trailers, etc.; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Skills

• Ability to operate a Backhoe.

Benefits

The City of Alexandria offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees, including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, sick leave, and a wellness clinic for employees.