Equipment Operator, Assistant

Salary Range: $31,578-$50,841

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to learn how to drive or operate various equipment and vehicles. Operation of equipment is performed under direct supervision in controlled environments until incumbent demonstrates proficiency in operating vehicles.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Assists with operating various equipment and vehicles to complete tasks related to the maintenance, upkeep, installation, and construction of County grounds, property, utilities, rights-of-way, solid waste collections, processing/disposal functions, and other infrastructure for departmental operations; drives vehicles over public roads, work sites, rights-of-way, parks, public works facilities, and other County property; maneuvers in and around traffic, parked cars, equipment, utilities, and other obstacles; obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines; and monitors immediate environment and work area to ensure the safety of operator, other workers, equipment and the public.

Performs manual labor in support of construction, maintenance, and upkeep projects; lifts, moves, loads, and unloads materials, equipment, tools, furniture, and supplies; digs ditches, trenches, and holes manually or utilizing power equipment; shovels, rakes, spreads, compacts, and levels dirt, rock, asphalt, cement, and other materials; retrieves supplies, materials, tools, equipment and other items and runs various errands as needed; collects and transports materials, supplies, tools, and equipment to and from the worksite; and removes litter, debris, and deceased animals from roadways and other County property.

May assist with driving single, tandem, and tri-axle dump trucks or brush trucks in order to transport and haul materials between original and final destinations for use in maintenance and construction projects; positions vehicle to allow for the most efficient and effective loading or dumping of materials; secures all doors, gates, and fasteners to prevent spillage or loss of load; operates dumping mechanism to dump materials at appropriate locations; and operates truck and dumping mechanism simultaneously to spread materials along prescribed path to required specifications.

May assists with driving rear-loading and semi-automated sanitation trucks to collect solid waste along an assigned route; positions vehicle to allow for the most efficient and effective loading or dumping of materials; monitors and adjusts pace of vehicle and collection activities to ensure timely completion of route; operates mechanisms on truck to secure and collect waste; ensures that load is properly balanced, covered, and contained; and monitors activities of workers on the back of truck for safety.

May assists with operating tractors and tractor-mounted mowing equipment to mow/maintain rights-of-way, parks, and other County property, including operation of side-arm, bush hogs, and rear-mounted mowers, but not exclusively small riding mowers; scouts path for and removes rocks, debris, and other obstacles that may cause damage to the equipment, property, or the public; and determines proper settings and adjusts mowing/raking equipment for desired height and trajectory.

May assist with operating asphalt roller or compactor to flatten and compress dirt, gravel, asphalt, and other materials.

May assist with utilizing asphalt patching truck to make repairs to existing streets and paved surfaces by filling potholes, cracks, and other deformities; drives truck to work location and positions vehicle to allow for optimum delivery of asphalt; utilizes dumping mechanisms to apply specified amount of hot asphalt to desired area; operates spraying mechanism to aim and distribute a fine stream of asphalt along cracks in the pavement; utilizes rakes, shovels, and other tools to manually spread and seal asphalt; and marks newly repaired pavement as appropriate.

May assist with driving special purpose trucks with mounted tanks to transport and distribute water, insecticide, oil, or other liquids for use in maintenance, upkeep, and construction projects; determines proper settings and adjusts spraying mechanisms to distribute desired amounts of liquids for both informal and controlled applications; operates flusher/water truck to rinse debris from streets and apply water to construction sites to reduce dust levels; operates spraying mechanism on mosquito truck to distribute insecticide; and operates asphalt distributor to apply oil along prescribed path for street construction prior to pavement of streets.

Inspects and prepares equipment for safe and proper operation prior to beginning work for the day; follows established safety procedures; utilizes safety equipment and wears protective gear; monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; monitors traffic conditions surrounding trucks/equipment to identify obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic conditions; and reports any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.

May receive, prepare or complete various forms and documentation, including pre and post trip equipment inspection forms, trip tickets, maintenance records, list of parts in inventory, work orders, time cards, maintenance reports, spray records, diagrams, maps, manuals, reference materials, and other documents; and reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Provides coverage during special events/activities as needed; responds to emergency/disaster situations; provides assistance to other employees or departments; and performs other related duties as required.

Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems; and communicates via telephone and/or two-way radio.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED preferred; previous experience as a crew worker, refuse collector, or driving and operating heavy trucks preferred; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia Commercial Driver's License.