Equipment Operator - Water Distribution/Sewer

City of Fort Myers; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fort Myers is seeking a Maintenance Worker to perform semi-skilled work in the operation of equipment used in street and park maintenance. The role covers upkeep of roads, stormwater systems, and related infrastructure with emphasis on safety and compliance.

Applicants may be hired near the entry point based on qualifications and experience. DOT drug testing and Florida CDL requirements may apply, with advancement opportunities as experience grows.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Experience operating municipal maintenance equipment preferred.
• Must meet safety and licensing requirements as described in the job posting.

Responsibilities

• Operate vacuum/jetter truck and other essential equipment to perform maintenance tasks.
• Follow safety procedures and use PPE while working with heavy machinery.
• Maintain and repair roadways, stormwater systems, and related facilities as assigned.
• Work during emergencies as required by department heads.

Skills

Safety rules

Teamwork

Adaptability

Communication

Heavy equipment operation

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Vacuum/jetter truck

Valve Machine

Skidsteer

Slope mower

Excavator

Job description

The City of Fort Myers strives to be an employer of choice and most of our employees turn jobs into long term careers. The salary shown in the job description is the full range for this position from entry to later career.

NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AT, OR NEAR THE ENTRY POINT SHOWN, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Safety Sensitive: YES Level II Screening: NO

Under the general direction of the designated supervisor, the incumbent performs semi-skilled work in the operation of equipment and devices used in the maintenance of City streets including, but not limited to the repair of pavement, sinkholes and potholes, rights‑of‑ways, canals, roadways, solid waste disposal, sewer, stormwater repair & maintenance, parks and recreational facilities, and construction projects. This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation

Essential Employees

may be required to work during a declared emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.

Non-Essential Employees

will not be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee’s Department Head will determine when the employee will be required to work.

When Assigned to Water or Sewer, or Stormwater Distribution:

• Operates a vacuum / jetter truck, Valve Machine, Skidsteer, slope mower, flat deck/bush hog mower, excavator, and other essential equipment to accomplish the task.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledgeable in various types of semi-skilled manual work performed in maintenance and repair of municipal storm water systems, irrigation, roadways, and/or related structures.
• Knowledgeable in various types of manual, gas, or diesel powered equipment employed in maintenance and repair of municipal storm water systems, irrigation, roadways, and/or related structures.
• Knowledgeable in occupational safety rules, practices and personal protective equipment associated with performing duties using heavy equipment, in traffic and in adverse weather conditions.
• Knowledgeable in the City and State rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Skilled in the safe use and operation of various maintenance and repair tools and light gas or diesel powered equipment
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to adapt to performing under frequent deadlines and/or in response to emergencies.
• Ability to operate necessary equipment.
• Ability to follow both oral and written directions.
• Ability to recognize and address common safety issues in the field
• Ability to detect improper functioning mechanical systems
• Ability to effectively use devices such as a computer or tablet.

• High School diploma or GED.
• One (1) year experience in the operation of equipment including, but not limited to regular boom grad‑all, asphalt patch truck, small backhoe, Scatback, Flusher, sewer cleaning truck, dump truck, vacuum / jetter truck, dump truck with tandem trailer attached, flatbed, front loader, grader, or similar equipment.
• Mandatory Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) Drug/Alcohol Testing required.
• Must possess or obtain within 12 months of hire a valid Florida Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License with tanker endorsement with an acceptable driving record.
• Must have or obtain within 12 months of appointment Intermediate MOT certification

When Assigned to Water Distribution

• Must hold a State of Florida Level three (3) or higher Water Distribution System Operator License at the time of hire or be able to obtain within eighteen (18) months from date of hire.

This work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed.

• Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.
• Crawling – moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.
• Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine.
• Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
• Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Standing – for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word
• Talking 2 – shouting to be heard above ambient noise.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.
• Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.
• Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.

Work performed is primarily:

• Very heavy work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Tasks are performed outside, subject to weather conditions and uneven terrain, and risk of exposure to toxic agents/chemicals, pathogens, and smoke.
• Must have the ability to work after hours, including nights, weekends, holidays and during emergencies.
• May be required to work hours other than the regular schedule including on call hours

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described herein. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description