About the Department

This is skilled work in the operation of complex heavy construction equipment in order to maintain county right of ways. The employee in this class is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of heavy construction equipment with the ability to work to finish accuracy. The employee is expected to carry out assignments, sometimes free of supervision, except for the more complicated jobs. This employee typically has years of experience and is expected to serve an important support role for the crew leader and the team. Serves as crew leader in his/her absence and perform manual labor depending on job and needs of tasks/department. 

Position Duties

1. Operates any of the following types of equipment: grader, front-end leader, backhoes, rollers, graduals, and related equipment with a high degree of proficiency while performing maintenance on County roads, right of ways and other special projects. 
2. Checks and fuels vehicles and perform light mechanical adjustments and assists mechanic in performing repairs on assigned equipment. 
3. May operate a simple flatbed or dump truck, or a variety of minor powered machinery and equipment; and participates generally in the laboring work of the crew as workload demands.
4. Trains and instructs other employees on the safe and proper use of various pieces of heavy equipment, proper maintenance procedures and division policies and procedures.
5. Performs daily safety inspections of assigned equipment prior to and after use.
6. Assists in ensuring adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals.
7. Prepares and completes various forms, i.e. Accident reports and daily activity logs.
8. Perform and understand all essential job functions of the Public Worker I and II
9. Performs all other duties as assigned. 
10. Responds to emergencies as requires and may be required to work additional days and hours as needed. 
11. Available for work before, during and after natural disasters for service to the public.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of the operating and repair characteristics of heavy construction equipment.
• Knowledge of the component’s parts, operating principles and maintenance needs of heavy equipment.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and necessary safety precautions in the operation of heavy construction equipment.
• Knowledge of traffic laws and other regulations governing the operation of equipment on construction activities.
• Knowledge of simple tools used in maintenance and construction.
• Ability to interact with the public in a professional manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, supervisor and general public.
• Ability to interpret manuals, catalogues and shop drawings related to the position.
• Ability to use good judgment and work independently under limited supervision.
• Ability to accept personal responsibility for one’s decisions.
• Ability to recognize safety hazards in the work involved and take precautionary methods to protect self and others.
• Ability to set up a safe work zone.
• Ability to use survey equipment for elevations and grades.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to obtain necessary information and to complete accurate accident and other reports.
• Skill in the operation of complex construction and maintenance equipment.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Ability to lift and carry more than 45 pounds for extended periods of time. 

Other Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent; three (3) year experience in the operation and routine maintenance of one or more pieces of construction equipment. Final decision of appointment to this job will be based on applicant’s ability to physically operate, drive and perform the illustrated tasks described herein.

Special Qualifications:

Possession of a valid Florida Commercial Driver’s License, Class “A” or “B” with air brakes and acceptable driving record is required. Will accept preparation of a CDL permit with the ability to obtain a CDL in 180 days. (Certain endorsements may be required such as H, N or X.) Preferred: Maintenance of Traffic, Survey Basics, Completed course on operation of heavy equipment.

Essential Physical Skills 

The work is heavy work which requires exerting up to 45 pounds of force frequently and/or constantly. Employee must have acceptable eyesight and the ability to communicate orally. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: 

• Trunk Strength – The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without ‘giving out’ or fatiguing.
• Manual Dexterity: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Spatial Orientation – The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you. 
• Acceptable eyesight (with or without corrections).
• Reaction Time- the ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
• Hearing sensitivity: the ability to detect or tell the difference between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
• Visualization: the ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
• Control precision: the ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. 
• Finger Dexterity: the ability to make precisely and coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate or assemble very small objects.

Environmental Conditions

The work is primarily performed outside in various weather conditions with noise, dust, dirt, fumes, gases, chemicals, oils, uneven and slippery surfaces and poor lighting. Employee must be able to work at different heights, below ground level and in and around moving equipment in traffic and hazardous conditions.