EQUIPMENT OPERATOR LEAD - RURAL (Fruita)

Mesa County•Grand Junction, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Equipment Operator Lead performs full-time work operating and driving heavy, complex equipment to maintain and repair roads, fields, and rights-of-way. The employee operates special-function vehicles, often without supervision, and is trusted to perform difficult, highly technical equipment operations. The role serves as a lead worker, carrying out work independently and often alone in remote areas of Mesa County. It requires sound day-to-day decisions with limited ability to contact a supervisor, self-motivation, and coordination with outside entities such as local towns, townships, the BLM, and the Forest Service in accordance with Road and Bridge policies. The employee is subject to federal Department of Transportation and Mesa County drug and alcohol testing policies, is frequently on 24-hour call-out status, and must respond to emergency county-road conditions within 60 minutes. Work includes operating construction and maintenance equipment; demolishing concrete and asphalt; making repairs; and performing excavation, backfill, rebar tying, form setting, grading, concrete work, and asphalt placement. The employee maintains rights-of-way by mowing, edging grass, and trimming trees and shrubs; replaces pipe and clears culverts and storm drains; and constructs or maintains roads, bridges, cattleguards, culverts, guardrails, and concrete structures. Duties also include hauling materials, snow removal, assisting with traffic control, routine equipment checks and maintenance, and other related assignments. The employee may be assigned specialized equipment or an area requiring specific service plans, equipment knowledge, or familiarity with residents’ logistical needs. Clear oral and written communication and basic computer skills are required. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and three years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. A Class A commercial driver’s license with tanker endorsement is required; the endorsement may be obtained after hire. State flagger and brake certifications may also be obtained after hire. The work involves standing, stooping, sitting, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 100 pounds. The employee frequently works outdoors in exposure to dirt, smoke, fumes, dust, traffic noise, extreme heat and cold, and other atmospheric conditions. Occasional exposures include mud, rock, snow, slides, flash flooding, electrical shock, falls from heights, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The work also involves moving machinery, respiratory and skin irritants, loud noise, high-speed and high-volume roads, and other traffic hazards.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Three years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Class A Commercial Driver’s License with tanker endorsement; the endorsement may be obtained after hire.
Ability to obtain State Flagger Certification after hire.
Ability to obtain Brake Certification after hire.
Basic computer skills and ability to meet the needs of Mesa County Road and Bridge.
Clear and effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently, make decisions in isolated settings, and remain self-motivated.
Ability to work with outside entities in accordance with Road and Bridge policies.
Ability to lift up to 100 pounds and perform standing, stooping, sitting, bending, and twisting.
Ability to meet the 60-minute response time for emergency county-road conditions and participate in frequent 24-hour call-out status.

Responsibilities

Operate and drive complex construction and maintenance equipment, including motor graders, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks, backhoes, rollers, sweepers, low-boy tractor trailers, and heavy excavating equipment.
Repair, maintain, or clear roads, fields, and rights-of-way, including snow removal and grading or hauling materials.
Perform routine equipment adjustments and maintenance, including checking oil and fluid levels, tire pressure, and belts.
Serve as lead worker by training employees in job skills, assigning and directing work, recommending performance appraisal actions, and reporting problems to a supervisor.
Make day-to-day decisions independently, often while working in remote areas with limited ability to contact a supervisor.
Coordinate work with outside entities, including local towns, townships, the BLM, and the Forest Service, in accordance with Road and Bridge policies.
Demolish concrete and asphalt and make repairs using available equipment and materials.
Perform excavation, backfill, rebar tying, form setting, grading, concrete pouring and finishing, and hot- or cold-mix asphalt placement as assigned.
Operate mower tractors and other right-of-way equipment to mow and edge grass and trim trees and shrubs.
Remove old pipe; excavate for, transport, set, level, and check elevations of new pipe; and backfill excavations and remove excess material.
Clear plugged culverts and storm drains using a jet rodder and other equipment.
Construct roads, bridges, cattleguards, culverts, guardrails, and flat or structural concrete using assigned equipment and materials.
Assist with traffic control at construction sites, including directing traffic and helping equipment operators maneuver.
Fill portable propane tanks from a propane filling station.
Respond to emergency county-road conditions within 60 minutes and participate in frequent 24-hour call-out status.
Perform other related duties as assigned.