Operations & Maintenance Technician IV - Equipment Operator (Backhoe/Excavator)

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California•Riverside, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operations & Maintenance Technician IV – Equipment Operator is a journey-level role requiring extensive field experience and technical knowledge to operate and maintain light and heavy machinery. The work includes repairing, relocating, and connecting service to pipelines up to 13 feet in diameter; installing concrete-reinforced structures and encasements; constructing buildings and substructures; and performing heavy construction shoring. Utility work also includes breaking concrete, placing and tying reinforcing steel, and finishing cast-in-place reinforced concrete. The position operates a wide range of vehicles and equipment, including multi-axle trucks and trailers, excavators, dozers, backhoes, loaders, tractors, dump trucks, water trucks, and cranes. Work may take place inside large-diameter pipes beneath residential streets and in underground substructures. The employee must be available to travel to remote desert locations for an estimated eight weeks per year, typically in one- or two-week increments. Off-shift work, standby service, emergency response, and extended periods away from the normal reporting location may be required. This opening is in the Construction Services Unit at the Lake Mathews Reservoir Facility in Riverside. The schedule is Monday through Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (4/10 schedule).

Requirements

High school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.
At least six years in a heavy construction equipment operation position, or journey-level skills attained through a recognized equipment operator trade training program and/or applicable related experience in an industrial environment.
Journey-level practical experience and knowledge of techniques and practices specific to heavy equipment operations.
Ability to effectively, legally, and safely operate a variety of motorized equipment, including light and heavy construction equipment.
Journey-level skills in preventive and corrective maintenance practices related to general construction and equipment operation.
May be required to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license from the state of residency equivalent to a California Class A, B, and/or C license with appropriate commercial endorsements.
May be required to obtain and maintain crane, forklift, hazardous materials, manlift, and respirator certifications.

Responsibilities

Operate excavators and backhoes for precision trench excavation.
Drive dump trucks, water trucks, vacuum trucks, and stake-bed trucks.
Maintain water facilities, including vegetation removal, patrol-road grading, and other repairs to Metropolitan Water District infrastructure.
Build and maintain access roads and rights-of-way.
Load and transport equipment using multi-axle trucks and trailers.
Repair, relocate, and perform service connections for large pipelines.
Install concrete-reinforced structures and encasements; construct buildings and substructures; and perform heavy construction shoring.
Perform utility construction tasks, including breaking concrete, placing and tying reinforcing steel, and finishing cast-in-place reinforced concrete.
Perform preventive and corrective maintenance related to general construction equipment operation.
Travel to and work in remote desert locations for an estimated eight weeks per year.
Work off-shift hours, standby service, and emergency assignments when required.