EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - WATER QUALITY *

City of Fort Smith; Fort Smith (AR); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fort Smith seeks an Equipment Operator with experience in operating heavy construction equipment and street/utility repair. You will handle soil classification, trenching, and restoration while following safety regulations and AWWA standards.

The role includes on-site work in urban environments and participation in standby rotations. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, Class D license, and progression toward or attainment of Class A CDL with no air brake restriction.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Class D driver's license is required.
• Within 9 months of appointment, obtain Class A CDL with no air brake restriction.
• Equipment Operator I requires valid Class A CDL with no air brake restriction.
• Equipment Operator II (Sewer) requires valid Class B CDL with air brake and tanker endorsements; Class A within 9 months.
• Equipment Operator III requires Class A CDL with no air brake restriction; 2+ years heavy excavating equipment experience; Flagger certification.
• Preferred: Class IV Water Distribution License and related certifications (Excavation, Confined Space, etc.).
• All special skills may be acquired on the job.

Responsibilities

• Operate small and heavy construction equipment safely and efficiently.
• Load and unload equipment from trailers.
• Maintain equipment and perform preventive maintenance as needed.
• Drive between job sites and manage tooling in congested areas.
• Dig around various utility lines and prepare surfaces for street repairs.
• Train new maintenance personnel and operators as required.
• Classify soil types and follow safety guidelines for trenching.
• Work in busy urban environments and restore excavation sites.
• Participate in stand-by and callout rotations; maintain 40-minute response time.

Skills

Tools knowledge

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Office software

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma or GED

Class D driver's license

Class A CDL with no air brake restriction (within 9 months)

Equipment Operator I – Class A CDL (no air brake)

Equipment Operator II – Class B CDL w/ air brake & tanker; Class A w/in 9 months

Equipment Operator III – Class A CDL; 2+ years heavy excavating; Flagger

Preferred: Class IV Water Distribution License

Certifications: Competent Person Excavation; Excavation Trench Safety; Confined Space Entry; Backhoe/Excavator; Asbestos

Job description

Job Description: The incumbent, under the guidance of the Water or Sewer Line Maintenance Supervisors, provides general labor and operates equipment to accomplish tasks safely and efficiently. Works in accordance with City, State, Federal regulations and AWWA Standards to repair or replace mains, service lines, fire hydrants, valves, and transmission lines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate assigned small and heavy construction equipment including but not limited to hand tools, jack hammers, hot saws, dump truck, backhoe, bulldozer and large excavator in a safe manner.
• Load and off load heavy equipment from trailer in the safest manner possible.
• Ensure dump truck, backhoe, and other assigned equipment are operating properly.
• Ensure equipment maintenance, preventive maintenance and minor repairs are performed as needed.
• Drive from one job site to another. Load and unload equipment and tools in congested neighborhoods.
• Dig up or around Fiber Optic lines, High/Low voltage electric lines, High/Low pressure gas lines, Telephone lines, Video/Communication lines and other utility lines on daily basis.
• Prep hard surfaces on jobsite and pour flowable fill and concrete for street repair.
• Perform other duties including, but not limited to, fill in for leadperson and train new maintenance persons and operators on assigned equipment as required or assigned.
• Must be able to classify soil types for stability and excavate area to meet sloping, benching and trench box guidelines for the safety of the crew.
• Must be able to operate in busy urban environments such as in streets, curb and gutter, bar ditches, drainage easements, highways, highway right of ways, parking lots, sidewalks, driveways, etc.
• Must be able to backfill and restore excavation sites to their original condition. This includes sloping ditches, excavate to grade for repair by other departments.
• Required to participate in stand‑by and callout rotation as needed.
• Required to maintain residence within 40 minute driving time to the City Maintenance Center to limit response time for calls to service.
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform the position at the tier of which the individual is applying. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: Equipment Operator in Training

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Class "D" driver’s license is required.
• The incumbent must possess or have the ability to obtain within 9 months of appointment a Class "A" CDL driver’s license with no air brake restriction.

All special skills may be acquired on the job.

Education and/or Experience: Equipment Operator I

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Must have a valid "Class A" CDL license, with no air brake restriction.
• All special skills may be acquired on the job.

Education and/or Experience: Equipment Operator II (Sewer Only – Vac/Jet Truck)

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience as a CDL driver and in operating heavy construction equipment.
• Must have a valid "Class B" CDL license that includes air brake and tanker endorsements.
• The incumbent must possess or have the ability to obtain within 9 months of appointment a Class "A" CDL driver’s license with no air brake restriction.
• 1 year of experience in the operation of heavy hydraulic equipment.
• All special skills may be acquired on the job.

Education and/or Experience: Equipment Operator III

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience as CDL driver.
• Must have a valid "Class A" CDL license with no air brake restriction.
• 2 years of experience in the operation of heavy excavating equipment.
• Flagger certified by the American Traffic Safety Services Association.
• All special skills may be acquired on the job.

May consider anyequivalent combination of experience and/or training which provides theknowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Class IV Water Distribution License is preferred.
• Certified in Competent Person Excavation, Excavation Trench Safety, Confined Space Entry, Backhoe and Excavator training, Asbestos training.
• Flagger certified by the American Traffic Safety Services Association.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• The incumbent should possess knowledge of the use of tools and equipment in the department.
• The incumbent must have good verbal and written communications skills as well as good organizational skills.
• Problem solving and analytical ability are required to perform the duties of this position.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also required.
• The incumbent should have knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and equipment with aptitude to learn new software applications.
• Knowledge of structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand, walk, talk and hear. Frequently sit; use hands to handle objects, and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent must also stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and climb or balance. The employee is also required to use sense of smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, distance, and peripheral vision. Depth perception and the ability to adjust focus are also required. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 100 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position the incumbent is exposed to hazardous materials (Asbestos cement pipe, Dry-Tec Granular Calcium Hypochlorite/Chlorine, fumes from oxyacetylene torch and arc welder, etc.) to outdoor weather conditions and is required to work near moving mechanical parts. The incumbent is also exposed to non-weather related extreme heat or cold. The incumbent is also at risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Notice of Consent Decree Posting

The City of Fort Smith, Arkansas ("City") has entered into a Consent Decree in litigation with the United States of America and the State of Arkansas ("Consent Decree").The Consent Decree was filed on April6, 2015, in civil action 14cv02266PKH, pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas Fort Smith Division. The Consent Decree is available for review or copying on the City's website where it may be found at www.FortSmithWater.org .