Heavy Equipment Operator

The City of Fort Myers strives to be an employer of choice and most of our employees turn jobs into long term careers. The salary shown in the job description is the full range for this position from entry to later career.

NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AT, OR NEAR THE ENTRY POINT SHOWN, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive
: YES
Level II Screening
: NO

Under the general direction of the designated supervisor, the incumbent is responsible for the operation of complex construction/maintenance equipment. This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Responsibilities And Reporting During An Emergency Situation
Essential Employees
may be required to work during a declared emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.
Non Essential Employees
will not be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee's Department Head will determine when the employee will be required to work.

• Operate heavy equipment such as grad-all, extended boom grad-all, backhoes, excavators, scatback, claw truck, front end loader, bobcat, high pressure pipe cleaning machinery, vacuum/jetter truck, asphalt patch truck, mowing equipment, dump trucks, trailers capable of transporting associated equipment, and other large earth moving vehicles and devices.
• Responsible for the inspection and maintenance of equipment to ensure it is in safe condition for operation.
• May be required to perform these duties after hours.
• Requires to operate a motor vehicle in performance of assigned tasks.
• This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee's physical presence at the workplace
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledgeable in various types of semi-skilled manual work performed in maintenance and repair of municipal storm water systems, irrigation, roadways, and/or related structures.
• Knowledgeable in various types of manual, gas, or diesel powered equipment employed in maintenance and repair of municipal storm water systems, irrigation, roadways, and/or related structures.
• Knowledgeable in occupational safety rules, practices and personal protective equipment associated with performing duties using heavy equipment, in traffic and in adverse weather conditions.
• Skilled in the safe use and operation of various maintenance and repair tools and light gas or diesel powered equipment
• Knowledgeable in the City and State rules, regulations and protocols.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to adapt to performing under frequent deadlines and/or in response to emergencies.
• Ability to operate necessary equipment, including but not limited to grad-all, extended boom grad-all, backhoes, excavators, scatback, high pressure pipe cleaning machinery, vacuum/jetter truck, mowing equipment, dump trucks, trailers capable of transporting associated equipment, and other large earth moving vehicles and devices.
• Ability to follow both oral and written directions.
• Ability to recognize and address common safety issues in the field
• Ability to detect improper functioning mechanical systems
• High School diploma or GED.
• Three (3) years' experience in the operation of heavy equipment including extended boom Gradall excavator, claw truck, front end loader, backhoe, dump truck, bobcat, vacuum/jetter truck, dump truck with tandem trailer attached.
• A valid Florida Class "A" Commercial Driver's License or higher with tanker endorsement with an acceptable driving record.
• Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) Mandatory Drug/Alcohol Testing required.

When Assigned To Water Distribution

• Must hold a State of Florida Level three (3) or higher Water Distribution System Operator License at the time of hire, or be able to obtain within eighteen (18) months from date of hire.

When Assigned to Drainage

Must possess Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) certification approved by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) at time of hire or must be able to obtain within twelve (12) months from date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Trailer transporting experience preferred.

This work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed.

• Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.
• Crawling – moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.
• Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine.
• Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
• Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Standing – for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word
• Talking 2 – shouting to be heard above ambient noise.
• Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.
• Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

Work Performed Is Primarily

• Very heavy work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Tasks are performed outside, subject to weather conditions and uneven terrain, and risk of exposure to toxic agents/chemicals, pathogens, and smoke.
• Must have the ability to work after hours, including nights, weekends, holidays and during emergencies.
• May be required to work hours other than the regular schedule including on call hours

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described herein. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description
.