Heavy Equipment Operator ; B254120-14 Water Treatment

Job Posting

Job Title:

Heavy Equipment Operator

Employer:

City of Laredo

Salary: $17.37 Hourly

Location:

Laredo, TX

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: B254120-14

Department:
Utilities (41/42)

Division:
Water Treatment

Opening Date: 08/15/2025

Closing Date:
Continuous

Operates light heavy equipment, including 18 wheel vehicles and small tractors. Repairs City utilities, lays pipelines, and performs other maintenance and excavation work requiring heavy equipment operation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Operates backhoe, graders, and loaders to install, replace, and maintain streets and roads, water utility lines, mains, meters, valves, etc.
• Cuts and fits pipes above or below ground to specifications necessary to install or repair water lines; assembles the pipe system; installs or replaces manholes, valves, tees, bends, and crosses.
• Raises, lowers, or moves water lines as needed.
• Removes sludge from treatment plants utilizing specialized injector tractor; monitors solid buildup and pumps sludge into injecting vehicle.
• Performs basic maintenance on equipment and tools including washing, changing oil, and greasing.
• Operates front end loader to pick up debris during construction projects; assists in performing unskilled or semi-skilled labor such as digging ditches, covering ditches, pouring concrete, mowing, and/or trimming trees and shrubs.
• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use.
• Performs related work as required.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Safe operations of heavy equipment.
• Geography of the City including major streets and landmarks.
• Preventive maintenance procedures.
• Traffic rules and regulations.
• Vehicles and equipment.

Skills and Abilities:

• Organization and time management.
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Meeting schedules and deadlines of the work.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries.
• Operating heavy equipment.
• Following oral and written instruction.
• Maintaining accurate and complete records.
• Communicating clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintaining good planning and organizational skills.
• Taking and following directions from supervisor.
• Giving directions to and gaining compliance from assigned staff.
• Performing strenuous work and routine work.
• Maintaining a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
• Projecting a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
• Effectively communicating both orally and in writing in the English language and orally in the Spanish language.
• Complying with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.
• Maintaining good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Effort Requirements Position will have the following exposures:

• Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.
• Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Occasional outside work.
• Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk.
• Exerting up to 35 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

Work Environment Locations Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments:

• Seldom:
  Office or similar indoor environment
• Frequently:
  Street environment (near moving traffic), confined space, vehicles, warehouse environment
• Often:
  Outdoor environment, construction site

Exposures Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements:

• Seldom:
  Individuals who are hostile or irate, individuals with known violent backgrounds
• Sometimes:
  Extreme cold (below 32 degrees), communicable diseases
• Frequently:
  Fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals or substances
• Never:
  Extreme heat (above 100 degrees), moving mechanical parts, loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Travel Position will require the employee to travel:

• Never:
  Regional travel, national travel, international travel
• Frequently:
  Local travel

Required Education and Experience

• At least two (2) years of experience as a heavy equipment…