Equipment Operator Foreman

Job Summary

The Equipment Operator Foreman oversees an assigned crew that performs highly skilled construction and maintenance work in a vastly specialized program in compliance with construction and maintenance techniques to produce a finished product to meet required standards. The primary responsibilities of this function are onsite leadership, de-escalate issues, ensure safety, and proper business operations and policies and procedures are followed on Roadway or Right of Way maintenance projects. In addition, job duties include operating light and heavy construction and maintenance equipment at an advanced level, traffic control set up in construction zones, and drainage of right of ways maintenance generated by customer service requests.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the third in a series of three (3) equipment operator-related job classifications within the Skilled Trades job family. This classification is distinguished by serving as a foreman over a crew including those with advanced skills in the operation of light and heavy motorized equipment, requiring a higher degree of competency in operations and additional experience in road and bridge maintenance application including road, right of way repairs, traffic control and response to citizen complaints. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains accurate daily record of team performance including individual performance, time keeping, materials utilized, equipment deployed and other job related job site issues; inputs data into computer software.

• Oversees and leads the work of subordinate advanced work group performing roadway and right-of-way maintenance.

• Instructs and trains new crew members on job assignments and ensures timely project completion and quality work. Serves as instructor for in-house training program and informal on-the-job training.

• Observes and coaches work performance of assigned crew and provide immediate feedback; recommends and documents appropriate action; maintains ongoing communication with Supervisor to ensure all crew members are performing as expected.

• Enforces and adheres to county and department policies and procedures.

• Actively participates and makes panel recommendation for hiring needs.

• Responds to public and citizen complaints and work requests in a timely and professional manner at all times.

• Ensures that project is in compliance with established safety standards and traffic control within a work zone.

• Drives and operates light and heavy equipment, including track and pneumatic tire excavation equipment, loaders, backhoes and dozers, motor graders, haul trucks, dump trucks, tank trucks, asphalt paving machines, steel drum and pneumatic tire compaction machines and other equipment. Transfers equipment and materials to and from job sites or other destinations as required.

• Utilizes advanced knowledge and skill to calibrate and ensure proper operation of asphalt marking/ striping machines, emulsion and rock distributors, and batch concrete truck.

• Performs general construction and maintenance duties, such as excavation for drainage ways, removing and replacing concrete sidewalks, curbs and pads in compliance with ADA standards, and cutting brush. Utilizes general hand and power tools as required.

• Installs warning signs and barricades to assist the public by routing and controlling traffic around and within construction and maintenance work site as per rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Operates equipment during emergency situations, such as removing debris from roadways, response to floods, severe weather, accidents, and ice on roadways, including the placement of sand on County roads and bridges.

• Performs routine preventative repairs and maintenance, refueling on equipment, checking tires, fluid levels, grease areas, and hydraulic systems. Cleans and cares for tools and equipment.

• Maintains record of mileage, servicing, minor maintenance, equipment hours, unit numbers and destinations of equipment assigned. Estimates and recommends to supervisor; materials needed on assigned project; records time and material used. Identifies and recommends equipment needs for each assigned projects, requests needed tools, equipment, supplies and materials. Prepares reports as required.

• Follows blueprints to ensure compliance with established standards on roads, culverts and drainage for maintenance and construction. Incorporates standard construction and maintenance techniques, to produce a finished project, or product within required specifications.

• Performs various additional general labor tasks associated with assigned construction and maintenance projects, such as patching roads, cutting brush, and building fences, as required.

• Participates in on-the-job and skill based training in order to meet team and department goals and objectives.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

High School diploma or G.E.D. AND four (4) years of related and increasingly responsible light and heavy equipment operating experience; One (1) year lead experience OR successful completion of a supervisory or leadership training program;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas Commercial Driver's License (Class A or B CDL).

Preferred:

Tank Vehicle (N) endorsement.

Class A Texas Commercial Driver's License.

Work Zone Flagger Training certificate and/or Work Zone Traffic Control Instruction certificate or related type certificate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Supervisory principles, practices, and techniques.

• Operation and maintenance characteristics of light and heavy equipment used for construction and maintenance activities with knowledge of final grade techniques and routine preventative maintenance on motorized equipment.

• Proper calibration and utilization of asphalt marking/striping equipment.

• Operation and maintenance characteristics of basic hand and power tools.

• Applicable provisions that reduce operating hazards and enhance safety rules, regulations, and precautions.

• Accepted maintenance, construction standards and processes for Roadway & Right of Way maintenance activities.

• Proper implementation and maintenance of Traffic Control plans as outlined in the Texas Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

• Travis County and Department's Employee Policy and Procedures rules and regulations.

• Industry standards associated with recording activity and report preparation.

• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.

Skill in:

• Coordinating the work activities of assigned crew members.

• Training, developing, assigning, coaching, and evaluating assigned crew members.

• Calculating and estimating time schedules, labor required, and quantities of materials needed on roadway and right of way projects.

• Properly calibrating and utilizing asphalt marking/striping equipment.

• Operating light and heavy construction and maintenance equipment at an advanced level.

• Diagnosing equipment problems and making field repairs and adjustments.

• Reading and interpreting schematics and blueprints.

• Applying proper and applicable safety practices, procedures and regulations.

• Working with others, including working as a team member.

• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Monitor project progress and develop related reports.

• Safely operate motor vehicles, including light and heavy construction and maintenance equipment.

• Train and advise others.

• Understand and precisely follow both verbal and written instructions and communicate in a concise and effective manner.

• Reason and make sound judgments and decisions.

• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with; departmental clientele, other County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 60 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate light and heavy motorized equipment and general hand power tools. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, repetitive motion, pulling, driving, twisting, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with mechanical hazards, chemical hazards, fume/odor hazards, toxic waste hazards, electrical hazards, explosive hazards, biological hazards, noise, vibration, fumes, foul odor, dirt, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation, and moving large set of construction parts, tools or machinery. Requires use of personal protective devices; such as hard hats, safety vests, boots masks, goggles, gloves and other appropriate personal protection equipment.

Position requires fieldwork with exposure to traffic hazard, public work development sites and other construction site hazards including climbing / walking over rough and uneven terrain. Work outdoors in all types of weather including excessive heat and cold temperatures.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: Works some holidays, Works some nights, Works some weekends.

Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

Location: 4501 Ranch Road 620 N, Austin, TX 78732

Drug Test, Alcohol Test, and Commercial Driver's License CheckRequired.

Driving and Employment Background Checks Required.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.