Equipment Operator - Streets

The City of La Crosse is accepting applications for a full‑time Equipment Operator I to become an essential member of the Street Department team. The Street Department is responsible for the maintenance and repair of streets, snow removal, and oversees the refuse and recycling program. The individual in this position will work with a dedicated team of employees whose actions improve the lives of the citizens of La Crosse daily.

The purpose of this position is to operate assigned equipment used in public works facilities and infrastructure maintenance, construction and repair. Incumbents in this class regularly operate motorized excavating, construction and maintenance equipment. Equipment varies by department but includes backhoes, dump truck and other assigned equipment. Incumbents work under general supervision of lead workers, supervisors and/or superintendents. This position will primarily work on the patch crew.

Job duties include operating small equipment, minor maintenance to equipment, shoveling hot mix, setting up traffic control, working daily to repair potholes and road openings.

Starting wage for this non‑exempt position is $25.75 per hour (80 hours bi‑weekly). Working hours for this position are Monday through Friday. Selected candidate is subject to participation in DOT regulated random drug and alcohol program.

• High school diploma or equivalent, with two to three years heavy equipment operating experience, or any combination of education and experience which provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• A valid commercial driver’s license is required.
• CPR, First Aid and confined space entry certifications may be required by department.
• Selected candidate is subject to background check, post‑offer/pre‑employment drug screen, physical and physical capacity screen.

• Operate assigned equipment used in public works facilities and infrastructure maintenance, construction and repair.
• Operate small equipment and perform minor maintenance.
• Shovel hot mix and set up traffic control.
• Work daily to repair potholes and road openings.
• Operate excavating equipment for concrete construction, utility facility installations/repairs, flood control, landscaping and other public works such as backhoes, tractors and hand excavation tools.
• Operate a variety of public works maintenance equipment such as snowplow equipment, pumps, saws, dump truck, tampers, jack hammer and other assigned equipment.
• Monitor equipment operation for malfunctions and notify supervisory personnel.
• Perform routine maintenance such as fueling and lubricating equipment and assist with field repairs or minor repairs in the field.
• Operate Arial truck.
• May instruct others at the job site.
• Participate in work safety training.
• May respond to emergencies.
• Record maintenance and repair work to appropriate records.
• Maintain regular and predictable on‑site attendance.

• Flags traffic at work sites.
• Cleans equipment.

• Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
  • Ability to assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information following a prescribed plan.
  • Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and/or sort data and information.
  • Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well established policies, procedures and standards.
  • Ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple requests from others.
  • Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference data and information such as work activity reports, diagrams, maps, operating and maintenance manuals and schedules.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with public works department personnel, engineers and the general public.
• Mathematical Ability
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
• Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
  • Ability to use functional reasoning and apply rational judgment in performing diversified work activities.
  • Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable criteria.
• Physical Requirements
  • Ability to operate equipment and…