What are the responsibilities and job description for the Equipment Operator - Watershed position at WSSC Water?
The Equipment Operator performs complex maintenance work using a variety of excavation and landscaping equipment.
Essential Functions
- Operates heavy equipment and associated accessories (i.e., tractor – loader hoe) to excavate sediment, earth, gravel and other materials
- Operates dump trucks and low boy trailers used in transporting, loading, and unloading equipment
- Operates one or more types of construction equipment in maintenance operations, such as boat, ATVs, pesticide sprayer, mobile air compressors, sand blasters, chain saws, and snow removal machines
- Operates farm type tractors and mowing equipment with power attachments such as batwing mower, flail mower, bush hog, aerator, and posthole digger
- Operates dam gates and valves when needed including during flood events
- Performs routine maintenance in cleaning, lubricating, and maintaining power equipment such as lubricating fittings, inspecting transmission, cooling, engine, and hydraulic levels; and checks brakes, fuel, tires, air cleaner, etc., prior to operation
- Inspects WSSC Water properties for damages and assists in the repair and/or construction of traffic gates, watershed access roads, trails, culverts, stream crossings, boat ramps, and fences
- Interacts with the public in the course of the daily routine
- Participates in snow removal and ice treatment operations
- Drives a vehicle to conduct WSSC Water business.
Other Functions
- Performs Maintenance Worker responsibilities when needed
- Assists with the application of pesticides
- Serves as lead operator overseeing maintenance crew’s work as needed
- Staffs Watershed Visitor’s Cabin and sells permits collects monies, and interacts with the general public as needed
- Assists with managed hunts
- Works with the Communications Office in public outreach efforts
- Works to prepare WSSC Water sites for special events including but not limited to the WSSC Water picnic, Water Fest, school tours, azalea garden opening
- Prepares Time/Activity Sheets, expenditure logs and related reports as directed
- Performs other related duties as required
Work Environment And Physical Demands
- Equipment operators work outdoors, in nearly all weather conditions, day or night.
- Works in the presence of hazardous chemicals as defined by OSHA standards.
- Ability to visually and physically inspect equipment and processes at anytime of the day or night and effectively utilize appropriate safety equipment and procedures.
- The position involves considerable physical exertion, such as regular climbing of ladders, lifting of heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) on a highly frequent basis and/or assuming awkward positions for long periods of time.
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Good knowledge in the safe and efficient operation of one or more types of heavy excavating equipment
- Good knowledge of general and preventive maintenance procedures relating to a variety of powered equipment, hand tools, hand powered equipment and plant machinery used in ground and plant maintenance and activities
- Basic computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and internal WSSC Water software
- Working knowledge of soil compositions relating to grading and excavating
- Working knowledge of heavy equipment operating capabilities, lifting capacities and weights of common construction and maintenance materials
- Ability to conform to OSHA and Maryland State Safety Regulations
- Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions, owners’ manuals, traffic regulations, and engineering drawings
- Ability to operate a variety of construction equipment for prolonged periods of time often under adverse weather conditions.
Minimum Education, Experience Requirements
- High School diploma or equivalent
- 2 years experience working in a general construction, landscaping, forestry or farming environment operating heavy equipment that includes operating one or more of the following: backhoe, excavator, Grade-All, crawler loader, or tractors