Heavy Equipment Operator I, II, or III / Transportation and Public Works

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County • Athens, GA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This position operates heavy equipment to construct, maintain, and improve streets and drainage systems. The role involves performing various duties related to these tasks, including operating heavy equipment and vehicles, performing routine maintenance, and responding to emergencies. There are three levels: Operator I, Operator II, and Operator III, with increasing responsibilities and experience requirements. Operator III also involves assisting in supervision and training. The position is safety-sensitive and requires a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). A hiring incentive is available for eligible candidates with a CDL.

Requirements

• Operator I: High school diploma or equivalent with one year of heavy equipment operation or related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Operator II: High school diploma or equivalent with two years of heavy equipment operation or related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Operator III: High school diploma or equivalent with three years of heavy equipment operation or related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must have the ability to obtain a Georgia Commercial Driver's License Class "A" with tanker endorsement within 5 months of being hired.
• Must be able to meet the current training requirements for this position as set forth in the Streets & Drainage Certification Program within the required time frame.
• If assigned an inmate detail: Criminal background must indicate eligibility for the supervision of inmates.
• Must obtain security training for the supervision of inmate workers as set forth by the Georgia Department of Corrections Standard Operating Procedures within six months of date of hire or first available opportunity.
• Must be physically able to operate all of the Streets & Drainage Division machinery, equipment, and hand and power tools.
• Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials.
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motion.
• Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics of data, people, or things.
• Ability to speak, hear, and/or signal people to convey or exchange information.
• Ability to read a variety of equipment maintenance manuals, work requests, county maps, employee handbook, county and state ordinances, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.
• Ability to prepare vehicle maintenance reports and tool invoices using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
• Ability to learn and understand basic principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgment in the absence of management.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently using a variety of professional and technical languages including radio communications, personnel and mechanics terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; interpret graphs.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with mechanics and carpenters tools, heavy equipment and other street construction and maintenance equipment and tools.
• Ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using mechanics and carpenters tools, equipment, vehicles and other street construction and maintenance equipment.
• Ability to lift, bend, push, pull, manipulate equipment/tools and objects as the position necessitates.
• Ability to handle all Streets & Drainage Division equipment, vehicles, and hand and power tools.
• Ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.
• Moderate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
• Ability to deal with people.
• Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.
• Ability to communicate via telephone, two-way radio.

Nice To Haves

• Supervisory experience is preferred (Operator III).

Responsibilities

• Operates heavy equipment and vehicles to construct, maintain, and improve streets and drainage systems.
• Performs traffic control setup for work sites.
• Performs functions associated with the use of all hand and power tools.
• Transports supplies and equipment to and from work sites.
• Performs routine maintenance on equipment and vehicles (e.g., lubrication, checking fluids).
• Responds to after-hour emergencies.
• Assists in assessing proper work methods and procedures.
• Assists in setting grades using a level.
• When assigned to Inmate Detail: Picks up and delivers inmates, ensures inmate safety and security, monitors inmate activities, maintains communication with Corrections Department, and supervises inmate work details.
• When assigned to Warehouse and Inventory Control: Makes repairs and performs preventative maintenance on small engines and tools, utilizes gas torch and welding machine, trains staff on tool and equipment safety, uses computer for research and inventory management, solicits quotes, orders construction materials, schedules deliveries, tracks distribution, verifies invoices, negotiates prices with vendors, inspects and schedules maintenance of detention ponds, and maintains warehouse and yard safety and security.
• Assists in the supervision of work teams, directs work assignments, and advises on proper work methods and procedures (Operator III).
• Assists in training employees in equipment safety/operation/maintenance and construction techniques (Operator III).
• Performs duties of Supervisor in their absence (Operator III).
• May establish goals and organize daily work flow; implements daily work requests (Operator III).

Benefits

• Hiring incentive for eligible newly hired candidates with a CDL.
• Paid holidays (implied by work schedule and emergency position requirements).
• Sick leave (implied by standard employment practices, though not explicitly stated).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED