Heavy Equipment Operator

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

The Heavy Equipment Operator is the second level in a three-level heavy equipment operator series. Incumbents are responsible for performing skilled-level heavy equipment operator duties. The Heavy Equipment Operator is distinguished from the Senior Heavy Equipment Operator, which has occasional lead responsibility and the ability to operate most, if not all, heavy equipment at Field Headquarters (FHQ) and Prado.

This position requires flexibility to work at both our Anaheim (FHQ) and Corona (Prado) locations. Work assignments may be scheduled at either location based on operational needs.

The following essential job functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed job functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different job functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Operates bulldozers to build dikes and levees, make roads or pads, level rivers, clean silt from banks, reshape slopes, and push material.

• Operates motor graders to make, level or smooth roads, and to perform weed abatement.
• Operates rubber tire loaders and/or dump trucks to load trucks, fill sand plant hoppers, and haul materials.
• Operates backhoes to dig holes or trenches, clean trash racks, load and unload trucks, set pipes and pumps, and move or place rock or dirt.
• Operates heavy equipment scrapers to clean silt from percolation basins and holding ponds, cut roads, and haul material.
• Assists in hauling heavy equipment from one location to another by loading, chaining equipment down and driving a pilot car.
  
  Heavy Equipment Operators may additionally operate low-bed trailers and semi-trucks.
• Operates water trucks to support road maintenance, dust control, and vegetation establishment.
• Operates forklifts to load and unload trucks and to move items from place to place.
• Operates excavators to dig holes and trenches, removes material from ponds and channels.
• Operates mowing equipment to mow roads, levees, and slopes.
• Loads and unloads trucks and moves heavy objects.
• Performs a variety of hand work including but not limited to, digging trenches by hand, turning valves, sweeping, weed whacking, painting, fish clean-up, washing trucks, etc.
• Maintains equipment and driver’s log.
• Handles job stress.
• Interacts effectively with others in the workplace.
• Follows all workplace and job safety rules and policies.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as required.
• Coordinate with biologists and recognize vegetation habitat, nesting birds, and other animals.
• In addition to the duties described above, employees in these classifications may be asked to assist with wetlands operations, such as operating in heavy vegetation, spraying herbicide chemicals; operating a small boat with an outboard motor; supporting planting by operating and maintaining an irrigation system and water truck; placing and removing stop logs using a backhoe and manual effort; moving water control valves;
  
  removing and trimming trees using chainsaws, chippers, and other equipment.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

• Heavy equipment operating techniques, procedures, and maintenance (i.e.…