HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE OPERATOR I

State of careers Rhode Island • Cohasset, MA

9h • Onsite

About The Position

Within the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Highway Maintenance Operator I performs physical labor and the skilled operation of a variety of self-propelled mobile and other equipment used in the maintenance and repair of highway pavements, shoulders, roadsides, and drainage, signage, and in the control of snow and ice. This role may be assigned a variety of maintenance tasks in support of bridge, traffic, roadside, pavement markings, and facility maintenance programs, and may also perform preventive maintenance on assigned equipment. The operator is responsible for providing a safe work environment for co-workers and the traveling public by adhering to established work rules and regulations on drug use and alcohol misuse, as this position involves performing safety sensitive functions. These functions encompass all times from beginning work readiness until relieved from work responsibilities, including waiting to be dispatched, inspecting, servicing, operating, loading/unloading, supervising, assisting, remaining in readiness, and repairing or attending to disabled commercial motor vehicles.

Requirements

• A thorough knowledge of the state laws pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles on the highway
• Skill in the operation and servicing of motor equipment including heavy diesel and gasoline motor equipment
• Ability to operate dump trucks, snow plows, basin cleaners, large power mowers and a variety of other motor vehicles used in construction and maintenance of state highways
• Ability to make emergency running repairs and mechanical adjustments to equipment
• Ability to operate a variety of power hand tools
• Ability to readily understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Ability to work outdoors during inclement weather and be on call during emergency situations
• Ability to lift and load material
• Ability to operate and use the tools required in highway maintenance work including pneumatic hammers
• Ability to drive vehicles in a safe and conscientious manner
• Skill in the operation of specialized equipment which requires hand, foot, and eye coordination
• Graduation from a senior high school
• Employment in the operation of highway maintenance, construction, or other heavy equipment in excess of 26,000 lbs. GVW with airbrakes and manual transmissions
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Rhode Island Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Class B with airbrake and tanker endorsements, at the time of appointment or within three (3) months of appointment and continually thereafter
• Compliance with the USDOT Federal Regulations of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 and the State of Rhode Island’s Drug & Alcohol Testing Program Policy & Procedures is a mandatory requirement and a condition of continued employment
• Must be physically qualified to perform assigned duties as evidenced by a physician’s certificate

Responsibilities

• Perform physical labor and the skilled operation of self-propelled mobile and other equipment used in the maintenance and repair of highway pavements, shoulders, roadsides, and drainage, signage, and in the control of snow and ice
• Perform a variety of maintenance tasks in support of bridge, traffic, roadside, pavement markings and facility maintenance programs
• Perform preventive maintenance on assigned equipment
• Operate equipment such as heavy trucks, tractors, basin cleaners, mowers, and an array of support equipment such as compressors, chippers, pumps, pneumatic tools, and hand tools such as chain saws, hand drills, trimmers, mowers, and shovels
• Provide a safe work environment at all times for co-workers and the traveling public by following established work rules and the rules on drug use and alcohol misuse
• Operate trucks equipped with plow blades and aggregate spreaders to remove snow and ice and spread abrasive and de-icing chemicals on surfaces
• Operate mowers or tractors with attached rotary, gang, sickle or other type cutters to control vegetation in ditches, medians and other areas of state-owned right-of-way
• Load and unload materials, such as parts, supplies, abrasives, de-icing chemicals, etc.
• Assist in herbicide spraying operations in right-of-way areas
• Assist in traffic control and flagging oncoming traffic to warn of work zone and road work in progress
• Provide on-the-job training and instruction to other workers
• Operate power sweeper for cleaning sidewalks, highways, bridges and parking areas
• Operate pneumatic and hydraulic powered tools, such as jack hammers, tampers, and drills, in the performance of maintenance work
• Use brooms, shovel, and tamper to clean, fill and compact material in the road surface
• Remove and dispose of dead animals from the right of way
• Operate and perform emergency running repairs and preventive maintenance on equipment using personal knowledge and operating safety instructions pertaining to assigned equipment
• Wash, grease, change oil and filter, change tires, and fuel trucks, tractors, and other equipment as needed and as materials and tools allow to perform tasks relative to assigned piece of equipment and within the capabilities of such equipment
• Install and maintain highway signs and markers at predetermined locations
• Perform physical laboring tasks as required; to shovel, rake, sweep, dig, as directed by a supervisor to provide support to the maintenance program
• Mount and dismount special equipment, such as plow gear and sanders, using equipment instructions and hand tools to prepare equipment for operation
• Perform preventive facility maintenance work such as painting, cleaning, and general repair duties using personal knowledge and appropriate tools of the trade
• Perform operational adjustments, minor repairs, and preventive maintenance on power equipment as directed by supervisory personnel using standard operating procedures, personal knowledge and/or equipment instruction to maintain equipment in a high state of readiness
• Perform the functions of this classification in a variety of environmental and weather conditions

Benefits

• Information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees can be found at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/
• Direct deposit is required for all employees hired after September 30, 2014

What This Job Offers

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