What are the responsibilities and job description for the Equipment Operator I position at City of Harlingen, Texas?
Department
Public Works/Street Maintenance
Location
Public Works
Position Type
FT Employee
Salary
$19.18
Date
2025.08.18
Description
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The Equipment Operator I is responsible for operating various light and heavy equipment in the Streets Divisions of the Public Works Department. Incumbents also perform a variety of semi-skilled maintenance work requiring technical knowledge of assigned work activity. The following are examples of equipment operated: street sweeper, vacuum (vactor) truck, front-end loader, compactor, grader, loader, dump truck, backhoe, tapping machine, as well as a variety of hand and power tools. Employees in this class will usually perform most of the duties required of Equipment Operators II but are not expected to function at the same skill and usually exercise less independent direction and judgment on matters related to work procedures and methods. Equipment Operators work under the general supervision of a Public Works Supervisor, or the functional supervision of an Equipment Operator II. Ordinarily, they receive only sufficient supervision to ensure that they are qualified to operate the assigned equipment in the required manner, and that they accomplish their assigned tasks at an acceptable level of proficiency. Employees will be evaluated by the care exercised in the operation and maintenance of equipment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This list is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.
- Works as a member of the street crew to maintain and pave streets, including alleys, rights-of-way, and maintenance of storm drainage systems.
- Assists maintenance crews in various street maintenance projects such as patching holes, sealing cracks, pouring and finishing concrete, etc.
- Drives street sweeper, cleaning City streets on predetermined routes.
- Assists in painting and stripping streets and installing street signs.
- Sets up and picks up barricades, lane cones, and warning signs to channel traffic around work crews.
- Visually inspects vehicles for mechanical defects and reports findings.
- Performs routine preventative maintenance on sweeper equipment.
- Operated mowing and compacting equipment.
- Performs other related duties, as required.
- Observes all safety regulations and communicates unsafe conditions or accidents/ injuries to supervisor in order to facilitate prompt correction or reporting.
- Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
Additional Requirements:
- This classification requires the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record.
- Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon assignment.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED & EXERCISED
- General supervision is received from a Supervisor.
- Some positions may receive functional supervision from an Equipment Operator II.
- This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Knowledge of:
- The operation and maintenance requirements of heavy and light equipment.
- Applicable traffic laws, ordinances and regulations.
- Safety procedures and practices in the operation and maintenance of heavy and light equipment.
Ability to:
- Operate a variety of heavy and light equipment.
- Follow instructions with a minimum of supervision.
- Read and follow route maps.
- Understand and follow written and oral instructions in the English language.
- Work cooperatively with other City employees and the public.
- Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
- Clean equipment using appropriate materials.
Education & Experience:
- High School diploma or equivalent; or six (6) months of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses, Certificates & Registrations:
- Valid Texas Commercial Driver’s License, Class “B”.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The employee is regularly required to stand; use hands and fingers to handle and feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to climb. The employee is occasionally required to balance; stoop; kneel; crouch and crawl; and lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. The specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions and moving vehicle traffic. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
SAFETY SENSITIVITY
This position is classified as a safety-sensitive position due to the following:
The employee is expected to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The Equipment Operator I is responsible for operating various light and heavy equipment in the Streets Divisions of the Public Works Department. Incumbents also perform a variety of semi-skilled maintenance work requiring technical knowledge of assigned work activity. The following are examples of equipment operated: street sweeper, vacuum (vactor) truck, front-end loader, compactor, grader, loader, dump truck, backhoe, tapping machine, as well as a variety of hand and power tools. Employees in this class will usually perform most of the duties required of Equipment Operators II but are not expected to function at the same skill and usually exercise less independent direction and judgment on matters related to work procedures and methods. Equipment Operators work under the general supervision of a Public Works Supervisor, or the functional supervision of an Equipment Operator II. Ordinarily, they receive only sufficient supervision to ensure that they are qualified to operate the assigned equipment in the required manner, and that they accomplish their assigned tasks at an acceptable level of proficiency. Employees will be evaluated by the care exercised in the operation and maintenance of equipment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This list is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.
- Works as a member of the street crew to maintain and pave streets, including alleys, rights-of-way, and maintenance of storm drainage systems.
- Assists maintenance crews in various street maintenance projects such as patching holes, sealing cracks, pouring and finishing concrete, etc.
- Drives street sweeper, cleaning City streets on predetermined routes.
- Assists in painting and stripping streets and installing street signs.
- Sets up and picks up barricades, lane cones, and warning signs to channel traffic around work crews.
- Visually inspects vehicles for mechanical defects and reports findings.
- Performs routine preventative maintenance on sweeper equipment.
- Operated mowing and compacting equipment.
- Performs other related duties, as required.
- Observes all safety regulations and communicates unsafe conditions or accidents/ injuries to supervisor in order to facilitate prompt correction or reporting.
- Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
Additional Requirements:
- This classification requires the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record.
- Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon assignment.
- General supervision is received from a Supervisor.
- Some positions may receive functional supervision from an Equipment Operator II.
- This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Knowledge of:
- The operation and maintenance requirements of heavy and light equipment.
- Applicable traffic laws, ordinances and regulations.
- Safety procedures and practices in the operation and maintenance of heavy and light equipment.
Ability to:
- Operate a variety of heavy and light equipment.
- Follow instructions with a minimum of supervision.
- Read and follow route maps.
- Understand and follow written and oral instructions in the English language.
- Work cooperatively with other City employees and the public.
- Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
- Clean equipment using appropriate materials.
Education & Experience:
- High School diploma or equivalent; or six (6) months of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses, Certificates & Registrations:
- Valid Texas Commercial Driver’s License, Class “B”.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The employee is regularly required to stand; use hands and fingers to handle and feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to climb. The employee is occasionally required to balance; stoop; kneel; crouch and crawl; and lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. The specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions and moving vehicle traffic. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
SAFETY SENSITIVITY
This position is classified as a safety-sensitive position due to the following:
The employee is expected to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Salary : $19
