Equipment Operator III (Water Distribution) (A08)

The Equipment Operator III (Water Distribution) is responsible for operating heavy motor equipment including refuse trucks, street sweepers, dump trucks, front-end loaders, backhoes, bulldozers, and earth movers as needed. Additionally, the incumbent performs any related tasks as required by the department. 

Heavy Equipment Operations

• Landfill Equipment: Operates a bulldozer, compactor, and earth mover at the landfill site. 
• Street Maintenance Equipment: Operates a motor grader for the fine grading, ditching, and general maintenance of streets and roads. 
• Specialized Infrastructure Vehicles: Operates a backhoe, front-end loader, leaf truck, snow plow, asphalt paving machine, mechanical street sweeper, street flusher, or other comparable heavy equipment. 
• Refuse & Utility Operations: Operates a refuse truck while directing assigned helpers. 
• System Cleaning Equipment: Operates a vactor truck, jet, or continuous sewer rodder while directing and training helpers. 

Infrastructure Maintenance & Support

• Preventative Maintenance: Performs daily and weekly lubrication and minor maintenance tasks on assigned equipment. 
• Utility Assistance: Provides direct support to meter readers during operations. 
• Roadway & Drainage Repair: Repairs potholes and clears blockages from storm drains. 

Crew Leadership & Training

• Operational Oversight: Oversees outside contractors and coordinates internal crew assignments. 
• Technical Instruction: Provides instruction and formal training to personnel on how to operate a forklift. 
• Supervisory Coverage: Serves as an acting Supervisor when required. 
• General Assignments: Performs other related job duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Safety Protocols: Knowledge of traffic and safety rules alongside accident prevention practices. 

• Operational Skill: Skill in the operation of heavy motorized equipment under all types of weather conditions. 
• Professional Tact: Skill in utilizing sound judgment, tact, and courtesy during daily interactions. 
• Directions & Instructions: Ability to fully understand and follow both oral and written instructions. 
• Engineering Standards: Ability to read and interpret technical engineering drawings, particularly utility 1''=40' scale maps and operating manuals. 
• Equipment Repair: Ability to make minor repairs and adjustments to heavy equipment. 
• Tool & Machinery Proficiency: Ability to operate and repair small/light equipment (such as power tools), medium equipment and machinery (such as vehicles or commercial mowers), and heavy or complex machinery and construction equipment. 
• Administrative Tools: Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems, and computers for data entry, word processing, and recordkeeping purposes. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate. 
• Experience: Four (4) years of related experience in the operation and maintenance of machinery and construction equipment. 

Special Qualifications & Requirements

• Licensure: Possession of a valid Maryland Class "B" Commercial State Driver's License. 
• Certifications: Must be a Certified Forklift Operator and must possess a valid Flagger Card. 
• Availability: Must be available to perform emergency overtime work as required. 
• Safety Sensitive Status: This position is designated as Safety Sensitive because tasks could affect the safety and health of the employee, other individuals, or lead to property damage. It is subject to drug and alcohol testing, including pre-employment testing. 
• Screening Consent: Consent to chemical substance screening consistent with mandated Federal, State, and City guidelines and programs, to include random tests for drug or alcohol use. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience interpreting engineering drawings. 

Physical/Mental Demands:

• Exertion Level: Very heavy work requiring the exertion of in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. 
• Strength & Agility: Physical strength and agility sufficient to lift and maneuver heavy tools and equipment up to 100 lbs., climb tanks to approximately 200 feet, and climb into and operate large vocational equipment and trucks. 
• Environmental Endurance: Physical ability to withstand working outside in all extreme weather conditions. 
• Visual Acuity: Sufficient vision to operate heavy equipment and trucks by both day and night, observe unsafe roadway conditions, and read/write reports, correspondence, and instructions. 
• Auditory Capability: Hearing ability sufficient to understand radio transmissions and conversations in person or over a telephone. 
• Communication: Speaking ability sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person, over a telephone, and over a radio. 
• Mental Health: Freedom from mental disorders which would interfere with the performance of duties as described. 

Work Environment:

• Office & Field: The environment entails minimal discomforts when associated with an office setting. Fieldwork is performed outside in all extreme weather conditions around heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others. 

Salary : $48,531 - $77,744