Equipment Operator 4

City of St. Joseph; Saint Joseph (MO); On-site; USD 36,860 - 49,862; Full time

Job summary

City of St. Joseph is seeking an Equipment Operator IV to operate heavy sewer maintenance equipment as part of Public Works & Transportation.

You will work with dump trucks, jet vacuum trucks, backhoes and excavators, train others, and act as on‑call safety liaison. A high school diploma or equivalent and 3–5 years’ related experience are required, along with a valid Class A CDL with Tanker endorsement. Must be able to lift up to 90 pounds and respond to emergencies after hours.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Three to five years of experience in related field required.
• Valid Class A CDL with Tanker endorsement required.
• Ability to operate heavy sewer maintenance equipment.
• On-call duties and emergency response as needed.
• Drug screening and background check required.

Responsibilities

• Operates dump trucks, jet vacuum trucks, bucket trucks, high loaders, excavators, and backhoes.
• Operates digging equipment in excavations deeper than 5 feet.
• Trains new employees on excavation techniques and operations.
• Acts as competent person for confined space entries.
• Acts as Safety Officer and attends monthly SMTN safety meetings.
• Operates snow removal equipment and may serve as backup operator on a motor grader.
• Transports equipment, gravel, dirt, and debris.
• Responds to emergencies after hours and is on-call.
• Performs utility locates as required.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Competent Person for confined spaces

Trench & shoring certification

CDL Class A with Tanker

On-call / after-hours response

Safety program liaison

Supervisory coaching

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

3–5 years of related field experience

Job description

Equipment Operator IV

Department: Public Works & Transportation
Division: Sewer Maintenance
Salary: $43,359.00 per year / $20.85 per hour
Closing: Until Filled

Job Summary / Scope

Operates equipment used in the maintenance and repair of the City's sanitary and combined sewer system, including dump trucks, high loaders, excavators, skid steer loaders, backhoes, jet vacuum trucks, bucket trucks and snow removal equipment. Assists in training and supervising other equipment operators with limited supervisory responsibilities and no budgetary responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibility

Develops subordinates to their fullest potential by coaching, training, guiding, evaluating, correcting and, if necessary, disciplining.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Operates dump trucks, jet vacuum trucks, bucket trucks, high loaders, excavators, and backhoes.
• Operates digging equipment in excavations exceeding 5 feet in depth.
• Trains new employees on excavation techniques and operations.
• Acts as competent person on all confined space entries and trenching and shoring operations.
• Acts as Safety Officer, including organizing and overseeing monthly SMTN safety meetings and representing the division on the SIMR safety committee.
• Operates snow removal equipment, including backup operator duties on a motor grader.
• Transports and shovels gravel, dirt, and debris.
• Transports equipment and workers and hauls materials to and from job sites.
• Responds to various types of emergencies after working hours.
• Required to be on‑call and/or carry a pager to respond to emergencies as needed.
• Performs utility locates as required.

Other Duties And Responsibilities

Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Required (Essential) Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Skills in safely operating heavy equipment, including safe procedures when excavating deeper than 5 feet.
• Trained and certified as a Competent Person for confined space entries.
• Trained and certified as a Competent Person for trenching and shoring operations.
• Knowledge of general sewer maintenance and repair procedures.
• Knowledge of safe work practices and safety procedures for all tasks associated with sewer maintenance and repair, including shoring and confined space entry techniques and requirements.
• Ability to follow instructions and perform tasks with minimum supervision.
• Valid Class A CDL with Tanker endorsement required.
• Required to be on‑call and/or carry a pager to respond to emergencies as needed.

Employee Behavior and Conduct

City employees shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and shall exhibit and extend such professional conduct appropriate for the circumstances to those with whom they come into contact both internally and externally during the performance of their duties. Examples of professional conduct include being communicative, informative, fair, honest, and respectful.

Materials and Equipment Directly Used

Operates a variety of equipment including dump trucks, jack hammers, backhoes, excavators, jet trucks, combination sewer cleaners, and other tools directly related to the maintenance of sewers. Operates a safety retrieval system, harness, gas detector and shoring equipment including shoring panels, hydraulic braces, and emergency sewer plugs. During snow removal, may operate a salt spreader, snowplow, and/or motor grader. May use hand tools associated with operator maintenance. Personal vehicle use may be required at times.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements

Work is performed under a variety of conditions ranging from an office with controlled environment to outdoor tasks performed under extreme weather conditions of cold, heat, wind, wet and occasionally live traffic. Must be able to stand for long periods of time, operate equipment with dexterity, and perform bending, stooping, climbing and reaching. Must routinely lift objects weighing up to 30 pounds, occasionally up to 90 pounds, or assist in lifting objects in excess of 100 pounds. Some overnight or day travel may be required for business purposes.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent required. Three to five years of experience in related field required.

Drug Screening and Background Check

All applicants must pass a drug screening and criminal background check prior to employment. Any job offer made by the City is contingent upon the applicant passing the drug screening and background check.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City is a governmental entity subject to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which requires that otherwise qualified handicapped individuals be protected from discrimination.