Equipment Operator - Unpaved

Summary

Operates and maintains rollers, dump trucks, rough loaders, rough dozers; assists in the construction and repair of county roads, culverts, and bridges; performs various work with hand tools; and occasionally operates other light and heavy equipment.

Performs moderately complex (journey level) transportation operations or maintenance support work, including patching broken or eroded pavement, operating trucks, removing debris from roadways, and repairing street signs and crosswalks.

Uses trucks and other heavy and light equipment. The Equipment Operator I supports other assignments relating to the maintenance of county roads, bridges, parks, and rights of way. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

• Drives and operates light and heavy equipment, including track and pneumatic tire excavation equipment, loaders, asphalt paving machines, backhoes and dozers, motor graders, steel drum, pneumatic tire compaction machines, and other equipment.
• Performs traffic control at the job site to ensure a safe working environment. Places and gathers traffic control signs and barricades within construction work zones and directs traffic.
• Performs various general labor tasks associated with assigned construction and maintenance projects as required.
• Maintains an accurate daily record of team performance, including timekeeping, materials utilized, equipment deployed, and other job‑related issues.
• Operates heavy equipment under immediate supervision for emergency relief or training purposes as assigned.
• Removes trash, erects barricades, installs culverts, repairs, erects signs and guard rails, places hot or cold asphalt mix, repairs driveway approaches.
• Replaces and repairs signs and signposts, including welding and cutting signs and metals as needed.
• Performs work with hand tools, including digging trenches, filling excavations, mixing concrete, cutting down trees, brush, and removing driftwood and debris from culverts.
• Responsible for pre‑ and post‑vehicle/equipment inspections to ensure quality and safety.
• Drives tractor‑trailer truck, water truck, oil truck, pickup truck, or other truck hauling materials to construction or repair sites.
• Occasionally operates other heavy and light equipment, including rotary broom, patch truck, patching machine, combination water truck, backhoe, rough carpenter, tractor shredder, pneumatic roller, tractor mower, vibratory and steel wheel rollers, and asphalt distributor truck.
• Assists in road base preparation and sub‑grading tasks prior to paving.
• Assists with clearing of brush, traffic control, and cleaning of drainage ditches.
• Assists with patching, tamping, packing, and leveling dirt, asphalt, or other materials during pothole repair, reconstruction of road shoulders, and crack sealing.
• Performs other work as assigned.

Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Requires one year of experience in construction, maintenance, or repair of roadways, bridges, and operating heavy and light equipment or related experience. Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with a good driving history. Preferable CDL driver's license with endorsements.

Knowledge of applicable safety practices and regulations; applicable provisions that reduce operating hazards; accepted maintenance, construction standards, and processes for roadway right‑of‑way maintenance activities; operation and maintenance of primary hand and power tools; implementation and maintenance of traffic control plan as outlined in the Texas Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Skilled in operating a variety of road maintenance light and heavy equipment safely at an advanced level; verbal and written communication including conveying and following instructions and providing information to the public; diagnosing equipment problems and making field repairs and adjustments; applying safety practices, procedures, and regulations; working with others; ability to safely and correctly operate equipment using proper techniques; understanding and following…