Heavy Equipment Operator

About the Role

The Heavy Equipment Operator operates various heavy and light motorized equipment and vehicles as part of the Village's maintenance program. This position is responsible for running equipment to clear snow, base course, dirt work, and other functions of the Street maintenance crew. The role involves construction, maintenance, and repair of pavements, parking lots, curbs, culverts, gutters, dirt and gravel streets, street cleaning, sidewalks, drains, and miscellaneous public works tasks. The position may require an irregular schedule, long hours, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-outs.

Responsibilities

• Operate a street sweeper to clean streets on scheduled routes and respond to sweep requests from patch crews, road crews, utility crews, and law enforcement.
• Operate heavy equipment including motor graders, rotomilling machines, paving machines, snow removal equipment, sweepers, dozers, loaders, dump trucks, transport rigs, and backhoes for street and utilities maintenance and construction.
• Transport light mobile equipment and materials to job sites; repair roadways and washouts; operate equipment for road construction.
• Work with concrete crews to prepare, place, and finish concrete surfaces on roads, walkways, curbs, and gutters; determine quantities for concrete projects; coordinate material ordering.
• Repair utility cuts or potholes; open cuts in roadways.
• Clean debris and silt from channels, irrigation ditches, and storm drain runoff; remove heavy silt debris from sidewalks, ramps, and streets; backfill washouts.
• Operate sand and salt spreader equipment; pick up hot mix or asphalt.
• Pick up and dispose of large, heavy debris.
• Inspect, clean, and perform routine maintenance on vehicles and light equipment; identify and report mechanical problems; perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs.
• Perform minor repairs and maintenance of guard rails, wood bollards, pond and drainage areas.
• Participate in erosion and flood control work projects.
• Set up traffic control devices; follow safety regulations on all work zones and flagging sites, including placing barricades and cones.
• Perform skilled and semi-skilled street maintenance tasks, including repairing streets, potholes, culverts, and cleaning up flood damage.
• Conduct chip sealing of roadways and hot mix construction.
• Clean up after rain and wind storms.
• Maintain and care for tools and equipment.
• Adhere to safety practices and standards; attend safety meetings and trainings.
• Complete equipment maintenance, inspections, and checklists.
• Perform manual labor activities as necessary to complete assigned projects.
• Install and maintain street signs and streetlights.
• Complete logs of work activities, timesheets, and required paperwork.
• Report on-the-job injuries immediately and follow up with appropriate forms and actions.
• Report any harassment incidents to the Street Director.

Requirements

• High school education or equivalent.
• New Mexico Class B Commercial Driver's License.
• Two years of experience in light and heavy construction equipment operation.
• Ability to pass criminal history checks and comply with drug/alcohol testing and the Village's "Drug Free" Policy.
• Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico motor vehicle operator's permit of appropriate classification and endorsement.
• Must maintain a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and meet minimum insurability requirements.

Skills

• Knowledge of state and federal highway construction regulations, safety policies, and equipment operation methods.
• Ability to operate and maintain all Street Department equipment, including heavy and light machinery.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, communicate clearly, and interact effectively with coworkers, supervisors, contractors, and the public.
• Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, construction documents, and work standards.
• Ability to perform manual labor and semi-skilled maintenance and repair activities.
• Skill in operating small hand and power tools, and other job-related equipment.
• Ability to detect needed repairs and make operational adjustments on equipment.

Physical Demands

• Ability to maintain physical condition and stamina for extended periods of sitting, standing, or walking.
• Occasional pushing, pulling, lifting, and/or moving up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional squatting, bending, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Frequent reaching above shoulder level, talking, hearing, and smelling.
• Visual acuity sufficient to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.

Work Environment

• Work is performed outside with exposure to all weather conditions, including inclement weather.
• Ability to drive, occasionally long distances.
• May work irregular schedules, long hours, weekends, holidays, and be subject to emergency call-outs.
• Works around light and/or heavy equipment, moving mechanical parts, and congested areas.
• Occasionally exposed to wet/humid conditions, fumes, airborne particles, dirt, dust, toxic/caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.
• Noise levels may range from moderate to loud.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and adapt to flexible work schedules.
• Subject to random drug screens and DOT regulations for drug and alcohol testing.

Travel Requirements

Limited travel may be required for activities such as classes, workshops, and overnight stays within and outside the service area.