Heavy Equipment Operator, Water Distribution

**Position Title**:Equipment Operator - Water Department

**Statement of Duties**

Responsible for skilled, semi-skilled and manual work in the maintenance, construction and repair of Town property and for the safe and efficient operation of the heavy, medium and light motor equipment such as a backhoe, front end loader, dump truck and similar equipment. Participates in the overall completion of public works projects. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

**Supervision**

Works under general supervision of Division Superintendent or designated Foreman, performing work of a routine nature using initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently with specific instruction. Refers non-routine matters to a supervisor who provides additional, specific instruction for new, difficult or unusual assignments, including suggested work methods. The employee is expected to recognize instances which are out of the ordinary and which do not fall within existing instructions and seek direction from a supervisor. Reviews and checks of the employee’s work are applied to an extent sufficient to keep the supervisor aware of progress, and to insure that completed work and methods used are technically accurate and that instructions are being followed. Employee does not supervise other Town employees.

**Job Environment**

The work consists of a variety of duties which generally follow standardized practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. The sequence of work and/or the procedures followed vary according to the nature of the task assigned.

Employee constantly performs work outdoors on a variety of public works projects. Employee is exposed to equipment/machinery, noise, odors, chemical fumes, dust, smoke, heat, cold, oil, dirt or grease, and risk of personal injury. Work is continually performed outdoors, regardless of weather conditions. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours at nights and/or on weekends in response to emergency situations on a 24/7 basis.

Has contacts primarily with co-workers, contractors. Interactions with the public are incidental to the purpose of the work involving giving and receiving factual information requiring courtesy and tact.

The nature of work or the operation of large, complex or potentially dangerous equipment increases the probability that the consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment may include significant monetary losses, loss of town assets, waste of material, damage to buildings, equipment, and danger to public safety and/or personal injury. Special written instructions, safety precautions, training, or protective gear is required at all times

**Essential Functions**:
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Operates assigned heavy equipment such as a backhoe, front end loader, dump truck and similar equipment used in the completion of a wide range public works projects such as maintaining streets, sidewalks, setting curbing, laying down asphalt or concrete, bricklaying and cold patching pot holes, replacing of water lines, etc.

Loads and unloads trucks, transports materials.

Performs physical, manual labor using special equipment including hand tools to dig ditches and trenches, patch roadways, and perform public works related tasks around sewer, water pipes, trees, wires, cars, personal property and fellow workers.

Sets ups work zone with appropriate signs and cones that is compliant with required safety guidelines. Maintains traffic markings, erects and repairs signage, paints line and curbs.

Attends training sessions as required to maintain abreast of updates or changes in occupational safety requirements.

Performs plowing and snow removal functions. Sands, salts and chemically treats roadways, parking lots and sidewalks with town vehicles and equipment.

Performs a variety of routine and repetitive tasks for the maintenance, care and upkeep of fields, grounds, beaches, playgrounds, structures and facilities.

Responsible for the proper care and maintenance of equipment; reports vehicle and equipment problems to mechanic or foreman.

Assists with highway projects including but not limited to the building and repairing gravel, dirt and asphalt roads and streets, installing and repairing culverts, cleaning and repairing catch basins and drainage lines; repairs water mains and drainage systems; flushes pumping stations, maintains and repairs sewer lines; sweeps streets.

Rakes and disposes of rubbish and leaves. Disposes trash from Town facilities and the Transfer Station.

Performs routine equipment maintenance and may conduct light mechanical repair work as needed.

Performs similar or related work as directed, or as situation dictates.

**_**