Lead Heavy Equipment Operator - Stormwater

The City of Asheville is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Equipment Operator III, Lead within the Public Works Department, Stormwater Division. This position leads a crew involved in driving and operating vehicles and other equipment with specialized functions that involve the operation of complex mechanisms to complete tasks for various maintenance, repair, and/or construction projects in an assigned department, in addition to driving and maneuvering the vehicle. This position utilizes equipment that has mechanisms that are complex to operate, require the highest degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse to perform work to exacting tolerances, as well as equipment included in lower levels in this job family, and provides lead guidance, direction, and training to assigned staff.

• Leads and coordinates daily work activities of assigned co-workers: confers with supervisor to obtain direction regarding work assignments and priorities; organizes tasks to complete assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with co-workers; assists with complex/ problem situations and provides technical expertise; and assists with training and instructing co-workers regarding operational procedures and proper use of equipment.

• Maneuvers heavy equipment and operates complex mechanisms involving digging, moving earth and materials, grading, loading, and performing similar tasks to advance projects relating to construction and maintenance of City roads, grounds, property, utilities, rights-of-way, and other infrastructure; equipment is primarily driven and operated on-site, but does require some driving over public roads; maneuvers in and around traffic, crew workers, equipment, utilities, and other obstacles; obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines; and monitors immediate environment and work area to ensure the safety of operator, other workers, the equipment, and the public.

• Operates excavator, track hoe, and backhoe to perform skilled digging and trenching for maintenance, upkeep, and construction for assigned department, where exacting tolerances and specifications are required; controls placement of equipment and determines optimum approach to each digging scenario to minimize destruction of property and avoid electric, water, sewer, and other public utility lines.

• Drives large tractor-trailer rigs and low boys to transport and move construction equipment to and from job sites; positions vehicle to allow for the most efficient and effective loading or unloading of equipment and materials; and secures all doors, gates, and fasteners to prevent spillage or loss of load.

• Inspects and prepares equipment for safe and proper operation before beginning work for the day: performs light maintenance on equipment, which includes changing oil, refueling, and refilling lubricants; cleans vehicles, beds, and mounted equipment upon completion of assignments; and secures vehicles after use.

• Performs manual labor in support of construction, maintenance, and repair projects.

• Performs other duties in support of City operations.

• Follows established safety procedures: utilizes safety equipment and wears protective gear; monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; and reports any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.

• Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures.

• Performs other related duties as required.

High school diploma or GED (required).

Candidates must have at least three years of experience operating heavy equipment, specifically trackhoes and excavators. Additionally, candidates must possess at least three years of related experience in construction tradessuch as drainage installation, ditch work, paving, and roadway or sidewalk constructionor an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.

Specific License or Certification Required : Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina Class A or Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL), with the ability to obtain a Class A CDL within 90 days of hire, including appropriate tanker endorsement(s).

Must possess and maintain Flagger and Work Zone Safety certification or the ability to obtain both within 90 days of hire.

Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities:

• Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

• Requires the ability to determine, calculate, tabulate, or summarize data/information, following a prescribed plan requiring the exercise of some judgment. Includes performing subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations.
• Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Requires the ability to operate and control the actions of equipment and machinery, requiring the monitoring, adjustment, regulation, and/or setting of multiple conditions.
• Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.
• Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
• Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
• Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA Compliance :

• Tasks require the regular and sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that generally involves lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds).

• Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

• Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, water hazards, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, or rude/irate customers.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.