Heavy Equipment Operator

Classification Details

Grade: 12 – Salary Range: $20.45 - $32.93/hour depending on experience – FLSA:
Non-Exempt

The purpose of this classification is to operate track or rubber-tired construction equipment with specialized functions related to maintenance, construction, and operational activities where the operation of complex mechanisms requires the highest degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse, and where work is performed to exacting tolerances.

This classification is safety sensitive, subject to random drug testing in accordance with the County’s Drug & Alcohol Policy.

• Maneuvers heavy equipment and operates complex mechanisms involving digging, moving earth and materials, grading, loading, and performing similar tasks to advance projects relating to construction and maintenance of County roads, grounds, property, utilities, right-of-ways, and other infrastructure; operates on-site and occasionally on public roads; maneuvers around traffic, crew, equipment, utilities, and other obstacles; obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines; monitors environment and work area to ensure safety of operator, other workers, equipment, and the public.
• Operates excavator, track hoe, and backhoe to perform skilled digging and trenching for maintenance, upkeep, and construction projects for public utilities and other infrastructure, requiring exacting tolerances and specification; controls placement of equipment and determines optimum approach to each digging scenario to minimize property damage and avoid utility lines.
• Operates a track or rubber‑tired loader with large volume and weight capacities to load materials into trucks or move them over short distances; positions equipment and controls height, angle, and scoop to deliver payload; controls amount and weight of materials to avoid exceeding equipment capacity; operates and maintains diesel‑powered E‑Pack hydraulic unloading mechanisms.
• Operates motor‑grader, scraper, and excavator with blade attachment to set gradients for large construction and maintenance projects such as roads, landscaping, embankments, and other projects requiring exacting slope and pitch specifications; determines appropriate settings and adjusts blades to achieve desired outcome; maneuvers equipment to skillfully set gradient, smooth surfaces, and spread materials.
• Operates grappler, bulldozer, scraper, compactor, and off‑road trucks to move earth, gravel, sand, and other materials for large construction and maintenance projects and landfill operations; establishes rough grades or smooths and compacts surfaces in preparation for pavement, construction, or other work.
• Drives large tractor‑trailer rigs and low‑boys to transport solid waste between transfer stations and the landfill or to move construction equipment to and from job sites; positions vehicle to allow for efficient loading or unloading; secures doors, gates, and fasteners to prevent spillage or load loss.
• Inspects and prepares equipment for safe operation prior to starting work; performs light maintenance (changing oil, refueling, refilling lubricants); cleans vehicles, beds, and mounted equipment upon completion; secures vehicle after use.
• Transports, loads and unloads various materials and equipment used in projects.
• Utilizes safety equipment and wears protective gear; monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and others; monitors traffic conditions for obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic; flags and directs traffic, places markers, signs and cones around the site; reports incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.
• Receives, prepares, or completes various forms and documentation, including work orders, time cards, maintenance reports, spray records, diagrams, maps, manuals, reference materials, and other documents; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status, exchange information, or resolve problems; communicates via telephone and/or two‑way radio.

High…