Operator II​/Roadside Technician

Job Title

This position performs technical duties in the maintenance of the county right-of-way. This position may have functional supervision over seasonal employees.

This position performs a wide range of highway construction and maintenance activities such as maintaining roadside vegetation using various treatment methods including mechanical, mowing, prescribed burning, chemical application, and competitive seeding; hauling equipment and/or materials in trucks or trucks with trailers; plowing snow when needed; spreading salt and sand on roadway surfaces for winter roadway maintenance; hauling and spreading rock on roadway surfaces;

performing traffic control duties including sign installation and flagging; performing surface maintenance of pavements and or seal coating (oiling) roads including patching with asphaltic cement, concrete and/or Portland cement concrete, and crack sealing; cleaning up debris within road rights-of-way. Operates assigned equipment skillfully, safely, and in conformance with regulations and directions. Performs preventative maintenance functions on Secondary Roads equipment. Supervises a crew for various types of work including but not limited to noxious weed/brush control, mowing, prescribed burning, seeding, and equipment operation.

Assists County Weed Commissioner with identification of noxious weed problem areas and weed control programs. Designs and fabricates special equipment; inspects, adjusts, repairs or replaces worn out or defective parts of equipment. Ensures the use of proper safety devices, equipment and signs on construction and maintenance projects. Trains employees in the operation of specified equipment. Perform duties of an Operator II.

Operates single or tandem axle dump trucks equipped for winter maintenance to plow snow and apply anti-icing/deicing materials. Performs routine and seasonal maintenance and repair to equipment, including daily equipment inspections, greasing, oil and filter changes, cleaning equipment, installing/removing plows or other seasonal equipment, etc. Performs related duties.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• One to two years of related work experience in road maintenance, construction, and roadside vegetation management.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License with air brake and tanker endorsement within 30 days of hire.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid State of Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicator's license – Categories 1A - Agricultural Weed Control, 3OT – Ornamental and Turf Pest Control, 6 - Right of Way. Completion of National Wildfire Coordinating Group S-130 – Firefighter Training and S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior training

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Knowledge of basic mechanical principles.
• Knowledge of the safe operation of specialized equipment.
• Knowledge of basic methods and techniques in vegetation establishment, management and control.
• Knowledge of basic principles and practices of noxious weed control and safe use of roadside chemicals. Knowledge of elementary engineering principles and practices involved in road maintenance and construction.
• Knowledge of basic erosion control principles.
• Knowledge of fundamental PC applications including word processing.
• Skill in correctly identifying relevant species of trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers, noxious weeds, and invasive species.
• Skill in operating medium to heavy trucks, trailers, tractors and attachments, mowers, loaders, chainsaws, wood chippers, and other equipment normally used in highway construction or maintenance including auxiliary or truck mounted attachments.
• Skill in maintaining appropriate seeding and spraying records.
• Skill in operating acetylene, arc welding, wire welding and plasma cutting equipment.
• Skill in operating spraying equipment and utilize roadside chemicals safely.
• Skill in understanding written and oral directions.
• Skill in performing manual labor (moderate to heavy) for extended periods of time.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, bending, crouching or walking. The employee frequently lifts light and heavy objects, climbs ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, distinguishes between shades of color, and utilizes the sense of smell.
• The work is typically performed in an office and outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather. The employee is exposed to dust, dirt, grease, machinery with moving parts, and occasional cold or inclement weather. Work required the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, gloves, etc.