ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. 
Operates medium heavy equipment, including backhoes, tanker trucks, batwing mowers, and roll-off container trucks. Repairs City utilities, lays pipelines, and other maintenance and excavation work requiring heavy equipment operation.ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Responds to inquiries and assists lower level heavy equipment operators.
• Operates backhoe, graders, and loaders to install, replace, and maintain streets and roads, water utility lines, mains, meters, valves, etc.
• Cuts and fits pipes above or below ground to specifications necessary to install or repair water lines; assembles the pipe system; installs or replaces manholes, valves, tees, bends, and crosses.
• Raises, lowers, or moves water lines as needed.
• Removes sludge from treatment plants utilizing specialized injector tractor; monitors solid buildup and pumps sludge into injecting vehicle.
• Performs basic maintenance on equipment and tools including washing, changing oil, and greasing.
• Operates front end loader to pick up debris during construction projects; assists in performing unskilled or semi-skilled labor such as digging ditches, covering ditches, pouring concrete, mowing, and/or trimming trees and shrubs.
• Assists other City Departments in case of emergencies.
• Performs related work as required.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Knowledge of safe operations of heavy equipment 
• Knowledge of geography of the City including major streets and landmarks
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance procedures
• Knowledge of traffic rules and regulations 
• Knowledge of vehicles and equipment

Skills and Abilities:

• Skill in organization and time management 
• Skill in performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature.
• Skill in customer service
• Skill in leadership 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. 
• Ability to meet schedules and deadlines of the work.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment.
• Ability to follow oral and written instruction.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete records.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical Effort Requirements Position will have the following exposures

• Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.
• Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Occasional outside work.
• Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk.
• Exerting up to 35 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

Work Environment Locations Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments
 
Sometimes

• Office or similar indoor environment
• Confined space 

Frequently

• Outdoor environment
• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Construction site
• Warehouse environment

Often

• Vehicles

Exposures Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements
 
Seldom

• Individuals with known violent backgrounds

Sometimes

• Individuals who are hostile or irate
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)

Often

• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
• Communicable diseases
• Moving mechanical parts
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances
• Loud noises (85 decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Travel Position will require the employee to travel
 
Never:

• National travel
• International travel

 
Seldom:

• Regional travel

 
Often

• Local travel

Required Education and Experience

• At least three (3) years of experience as a heavy equipment operator or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Required Licenses or Certifications 

• Valid Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL) class A is required.

Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment. 
As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.
Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.
Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7482 two days prior to the scheduled interview and/or test if applicable.