Heavy Equipment Operator

City of Chattanooga•Chattanooga, TN

7h•$24 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

Incumbents in this classification operate vehicles, tracked or rubber-tired construction and maintenance equipment or other equipment with specialized functions related to maintenance and construction in the Department of Public Works where the operation of complex mechanisms requires a higher degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse, and where work is performed to exacting tolerances. Equipment in this classification includes backhoes, excavators, dozers, graders, and larger off-road vehicles with mechanisms that are complex to operate. Classification is reserved for those positions where the operation of off-road, heavy equipment is the primary function of the job. Commercial vehicle operations are also required for some operations. This is a stand-alone position.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED and three (3) years of any combination of relevant education, experience, and/or training sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Valid Class D driver’s license.
Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions; general equipment and maintenance principles; materials and equipment utilized in assigned areas of responsibility; demonstrated proficiency on a minimum of three (3) types of heavy equipment to include three (3) years of experience operating heavy equipment. Typical equipment operated might include but is not limited to: excavators, rubber-tired loaders, compactor, scraper, wood chipper, paving machine, milling machine, motor grader, bulldozer, articulated dump truck, and backhoes.
Must be able to use electronic devices to receive and track work. Position requires minimal, but regular public interaction with the public and must be customer service centered, focused, and able to recognize or resolve customer needs according to departmental practices.

Responsibilities

May maneuver heavy equipment and operates complex mechanisms involving digging, moving earth and materials, grading, loading, paving, and performing similar tasks in order to advance projects relating to construction and maintenance of city streets, utilities, and other infrastructure. Equipment is primarily driven and operated on-site, but does require some driving over public roads; maneuvers in and around traffic, crew workers, equipment, utilities, and other obstacles; obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines; monitors the immediate environment and work area to ensure the safety of the operator, other workers, the equipment and the public.
May operate various heavy equipment to assist in the maintenance and upkeep of the landfill; operates bulldozer, compactor, and/or scraper to move and compact waste and other materials to ensure proper placement, level, and contents of landfill mounds; operates same equipment to move and compact earth to provide a proper covering for landfill; keeps metal pile clean and assists with sorting of waste.
May operate milling and asphalt paving machines to grind existing pavement and lay down the new pavement for construction and maintenance of roads, parking lots and other paved surfaces; controls speed, depth and width spread/grinding of equipment; operates multiple mechanisms to control speed, volume and depth of asphalt application; monitors and oversees activities of crew workers assisting with the operation of equipment and application of asphalt.
May perform basic and semi-skilled labor as appropriate to assist in the completion of maintenance, upkeep and construction projects; picks up paper, limbs and other debris; uses hand tools and operates motorized tools as necessary to complete the assigned task.
May be required to use, carry and answer cell phones, use other electronic devices to receive and track work, and/or two-way radio as determined by their job duties and supervisor.
Must meet regular attendance requirements.
Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.
Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
May be assigned or reassigned to any division within the department.
Performs other duties as assigned.
This position is deemed essential during inclement weather situations, and must report to or remain at work, even when administrative closings are announced, as determined by the Department Head.
Performs light maintenance of equipment, i.e.: greasing, blowing out air filters, keeping motor free and clear of debris, ensuring that all fluids are at manufacturers specifications, maintaining updated maintenance records. Also assisting crew supervisor/crew members with loading and unloading equipment/other materials onto trucks and trailers, making sure loads are properly and evenly secured. Also responsible for keeping sewer department free of hazardous sewer organisms. Ensures that job layouts don’t affect the quality of work done. Assisting truck drivers with materials and equipment on a daily basis.