Equipment Operator

Equipment Operator

Position involves manual labor and operation of equipment in moderate complexity for the maintenance, repair, and construction of public thoroughfares and related improvements.

Safety Sensitive Position

Infrequent overtime during evening hours, weekends, and holidays may be required, along with standby on a rotating basis.

Drug Testing Policy

Subject to drug testing for the following prohibited substances: marijuana, amphetamines, opioids, phencyclidine (PCP), and cocaine, as well as any drug not approved for medical use by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Testing is conducted pre‑employment, randomly, on reasonable suspicion, and post‑accident.

• Operates all light equipment such as backhoes, loaders, dump trucks, tractors with attachments, and rollers.
• Services, cleans, and makes minor repairs to assigned equipment.
• Maintains a daily inspection sheet on equipment and records of preventative maintenance and service performed.
• Operates backhoes to excavate streets, parking lots, and drainage ways for repairs or cleaning.
• Operates front‑end loader, loads material into dump trucks, clears streets, and cleans up after storms, removing trash and debris.
• Operates chip spreader, asphalt distributor, and related equipment for chip sealing and related road and street construction projects.
• Assists in training lower‑level equipment operators.
• May operate heavy equipment on a training basis or as a substitute.
• May be placed in a temporary Heavy Equipment Operator position to fill a vacancy created by injury, leave, or absence of the regular operator.
• Assists in closing streets or thoroughfares by placing barricades or traffic control using paddles as a flag person.
• Assists in actual repairs of damaged areas by cutting or sawing pavement and removing plus replacing base material and riding surface where asphalt, concrete, or chip seal is used.
• Assists in flood control by cleaning drains, storm pipes, ditches, and removing debris from streets.
• Assists in ice and snow control by operating sand/salt spreader or truck‑mounted snowplows; hand spreading may be required in areas inaccessible to trucks. Delivers sand/salt to various city departments.
• May be asked to apply other areas of expertise to fulfill department responsibilities.

• No specific educational requirement.
• At least two (2) years of work experience operating light equipment or equivalent.
• Experience demonstrating knowledge of street construction and repair using asphalt, concrete, and base materials.

• Valid New Mexico Commercial Driver’s License with appropriate endorsements, or ability to obtain within six (6) months.

Knowledge of

• Street construction and repair using asphalt, concrete, and base materials.

Skills in

• Safe operation of light equipment such as backhoes, dump trucks, and front‑end loader.

Ability to

• Perform functions with minimal supervision; understand and follow basic safety precautions, rules, and regulations.
• Interact diplomatically with the public and establish a cooperative working relationship with others.

• Heavy work involving frequent standing, walking, balancing, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, squatting, pushing, pulling, and lifting items up to 100 pounds.

• Regular attendance is essential to ensure continuity of services.
• Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Clovis policies.
• Essential duties are primarily performed outdoors, exposing the employee to all types of weather conditions.
• Employee is exposed to airborne particles, potentially toxic and/or caustic chemicals, and extreme temperatures; may travel between sites and work around traffic and heavy construction equipment.
• Use of safety shoes, glasses, and other protective equipment is required.