Special Equipment Operator Trainee

Pasco County•Port Richey, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs work directed and monitored by a Special Equipment Operator, involving the skilled operation of heavy and complex construction, maintenance, and transport equipment. Trainees are employed in the program for approximately 18 months, depending on prior experience and aptitude. Upon successful completion, the employee is promoted to Special Equipment Operator, with a minimum starting salary of $25.12 per hour. This skilled, technical role involves learning to operate and maintain equipment used in utilities system maintenance and repair, including sewer television inspection equipment, Vactor equipment, CCTV equipment, jet and vacuum trucks, sludge trucks, mini trac-hoes, rubber tire backhoes, skid steers, and related machinery. Employees work in teams under the direction of a Utilities Supervisor or designated Field Special Equipment Operator. Work is reviewed through observations, reports, and results. The position is approximately 10% inside a climate-controlled building and 90% outdoors, including driving. It involves lifting or moving up to 80 pounds, pushing or pulling heavy objects, and frequent bending, climbing, stooping, squatting, and walking. Employees may work long hours outdoors, sometimes in adverse weather. A pulmonary function test and fit test must be passed within 60 days of employment; being clean-shaven may be required to meet safety standards. Employees must be available to work before, during, or after an emergency and may be temporarily assigned duties, locations, or schedules outside their normal scope to meet County needs. Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable accommodation may be available for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities.

Requirements

High school graduation or an acceptable equivalency diploma.
One year of experience in utilities/solid waste and/or public works maintenance and/or construction, including six months operating a variety of heavy and complex construction, wastewater collections, and/or utilities maintenance equipment.
Valid Florida driver's license.
Obtain a valid Florida Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class A permit within 30 days of employment; obtain a full license with N tanker endorsement within 120 days of employment.
Obtain Trenching & Shoring Certification within three months of hire.
Obtain Confined Space Certification Entry & Supervisor and Intermediate Maintenance of Traffic Certification within one year of employment.
Ability to lift and/or move up to 80 pounds and push or pull heavy objects; handling devices or assistance from another team member may be used for excessively heavy objects.
Ability to read for comprehension and communicate effectively using verbal, written, and visual communication.
Ability to frequently bend, climb, stoop, squat, and walk, and to work long hours outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.
Pass a pulmonary function test and fit test within 60 days of employment; may be required to be clean-shaven to comply with safety standards.
Knowledge of equipment used in public works and/or utilities or solid-waste construction, maintenance, and repair; traffic and safety rules; accident-prevention precautions; utilities construction and repair; trenchless rehabilitation and manhole rehabilitation processes; and safe heavy-equipment operation.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, understand instructions and prepare necessary reports, perform minor equipment maintenance, establish effective working relationships, operate assigned equipment, use basic computer skills, and read and interpret maps and drawings.

Nice To Haves

FDEP Level 3 Water Distribution System Operator License or FWPCOA C Wastewater Collection Technician Certification, depending on discipline, preferred within 18 months of employment.

Responsibilities

Learn to operate Vactor and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) equipment, sludge trucks, mini trac-hoes, rubber tire backhoes, skid steers, trac-hoes, and related equipment.
Assist with utilities system maintenance and repair using sewer television inspection units, jet trucks, vacuum trucks, and other assigned equipment.
Locate and expose manholes for cleaning.
Assist drivers by spotting them when they are backing vehicles.
Perform vehicle and equipment maintenance, including sight inspections and fuel checks.
Enter timekeeping data into the Electronic Asset Maintenance Management System (EAM).
Attend meetings and training classes and remain current with required safety, maintenance-of-traffic, disaster-preparedness, response-planning, and first-aid training.
Operate assigned equipment and perform related duties as required.
Work as part of a team under the direction of a Utilities Supervisor or designated Field Special Equipment Operator.
Work before, during, or after emergencies and perform temporarily assigned duties as needed.