Heavy Equipment Operator

City Of Ellensburg • Ellensburg, WA

497d • $53,518 - $71,365

About The Position

The City of Ellensburg is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator to join its team. This position involves performing semi-skilled and skilled maintenance work, operating a variety of heavy equipment for the construction, maintenance, repair, and replacement of city streets, sidewalks, and rights of way. The operator will be responsible for maintaining streets, alleyways, and shoulders, which includes tasks such as asphalt paving, patching, crack filling, pavement paint striping, and grading and laying gravel. In addition to these responsibilities, the Heavy Equipment Operator will monitor creeks during periods of high water, ensuring that catch racks are kept clean and maintaining and repairing damaged banks, rip rap, and other appurtenances as needed. The role also includes repairing, grinding, and replacing concrete sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, as well as patching brickwork when necessary. The operator will install new street signs and replace weathered or damaged ones, responding promptly to reports of damaged or missing signs. They will assist other divisions and agencies with special events that affect streets and traffic, preparing signs, closing streets, and placing or removing signs as required. The position also entails trimming and removing trees that obstruct roadways, pathways, sidewalks, and signs, as well as mowing weeds and applying pesticides in the public right of way. The operator is expected to perform preventive maintenance checks on equipment, report any issues to mechanics, and maintain a clean and orderly work area. Additionally, the Heavy Equipment Operator will assist in training temporary and new employees, ensuring they operate equipment safely and correctly. The role may also involve serving as an acting foreperson and performing carpentry work, such as building no parking signs. Participation in safety meetings is also a requirement of this position.