Trainee Excavator Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under supervision, perform a variety of skilled work in the operation, maintenance, construction and care of the City’s stormwater infrastructure, equipment, and machinery. This position involves manual work in the performance of various tasks to improve drainage and flood control within Abilene, operation & minor maintenance of all Stormwater Utility Division construction and heavy equipment.   

Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee and I under immediate supervision; requires skilled work, tact and the ability to meet rough grades.

Heavy Equipment Operator II is an advanced journey level position under general supervision; requiring the ability to perform highly skilled work that meets finished engineered grades.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee exercises no supervision.

Heavy Equipment Operator I may function as a crew leader on small projects or in small work groups and in the absence of the Heavy Equipment Operator II. This position exercises technical and functional supervision over assigned Equipment Operators.

Heavy Equipment Operator II functions as a crew leader on assigned operations. This position exercises technical and functional supervision over assigned Heavy Equipment Operators and Equipment Operator Trainees.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Skilled knowledge of maintenance operations performed in rough terrain, creeks and stormwater drainage infrastructure including project oversight, mowing, street sweeping and herbicide application.

Advanced knowledge in the general operation and servicing of all Stormwater utility division construction equipment. Ability to perform minor preventive maintenance servicing to assigned equipment and report mechanical or other problems.

Effectively utilize a variety of loaders in excess of three (3) yards capacity.

Operate hydraulic & walking excavators including the tandem and trailer used for transport, boom truck, and dump trucks.

Drive a truck tractor hauling equipment or a 2000-gallon tank, a vac-truck, a street sweeper, a mid-mount mower and tractor with pull mower attachments.

Operate gradall, crawler or large rubber-tire tractors equipped with bulldozer blades used in moving earth in the maintenance and rehabilitation of creeks, drains and borrow ditches.

Operate a motor grader with blade, scarifier, and other attachments in the maintenance and repair of creeks, drains, and borrow ditches to obtain grade and proper water flow.

Operate power tools, shovel and attachments in excavation and loading work, and repair of storm sewer systems.

Ability to conduct training, safety review, and close coordination with Crew Chief and Maintenance Supervisor.

Performs on-call services and attends to after-hour emergencies, when necessary.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee, I

Operating features of heavy maintenance and construction equipment. 

Proper use and occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary for the safe operation of equipment.

Heavy construction techniques and procedures.

Safe driving principles and practices.

Heavy Equipment Operator II 

Operating characteristics of large automotive equipment.

Division policies and procedures.

Skill to:

Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee, I

Operate a variety of heavy equipment including:

• Crawler tractor
• Wheel loader
• Rubber tire loader
• Gradall
• Hydraulic excavator
• Knuckle boom truck
• Self-propelled scraper
• Tractor, mower, boom mower, and mid-mount mowers
• Street sweeper
• 3 to 16 cubic yard dump truck and truck tractor/equipment with a tanker trailer

Heavy Equipment Operator II 

Operate a variety of heavy equipment including bulldozer, walking excavator or spider including tandem and trailer used to transport the walking excavators, motor grader with blade and vac-out truck.

Ability to:

Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee, I

Shoot and produce a rough grade.

Perform maintenance and construction work to high standards of engineering accuracy.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Heavy Equipment Operator II 

Operate a variety of heavy equipment including bulldozers, walking excavators or spiders including tandems and trailers used to transport the walking excavators, motor graders with blades and vac-out trucks.

Produce a final grade.

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.        

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee

Experience:

Six (6) months of experience in the operation of heavy equipment is required.

Education/Training:

A high school diploma or a GED is required.

License or Certificate:

 A valid Class A Texas Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), or the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment is required.

A Non-Commercial Herbicide Applicator License from Texas Department of Agriculture is preferred.

Heavy Equipment Operator I

License or Certificate:

 A valid Class A Texas Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is required.

Non-Commercial Herbicide Applicator License from Texas Department of Agriculture is preferred.

Heavy Equipment Operator II

Experience:

Two (2) years of experience equivalent to that of a Heavy Equipment Operator I is required.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Bloodborne Pathogens training and HazCom training are required within sixty (60) days of employment.

Exposure to outdoors, inclement weather, wet weather, rough terrain, poison ivy, wild animals and noise.

Exposure to confined workspaces, vibration, chemicals, mechanical hazards, electrical hazards, and other pollutants during spill clean-ups.

Ability to travel to different work sites and be available after work hours. 

Ability to safely traverse steep grades often found in creeks and drainage ways.

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___     Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___     Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

___     Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

___     Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

_X_     Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes:  The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

N         =          No

E         =          Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M         =          Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I           =          Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A         =          Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

_M_    Standing

_M_    Sitting

_M_    Walking

_M      Lifting

_M      Carrying

_M_    Pushing/Pulling

_I__    Overhead Work

_M_    Fine Dexterity

  M_    Kneeling

_M_    Crouching

_I__    Crawling

_M_    Bending

_M_    Twisting

_M_    Climbing

_M_    Balancing

_E_     Vision

_E_     Hearing

_E_     Talking

___     Other:  _____________________