Heavy Equipment Operator

Watonwan County; Saint James (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance and retirement benefits

$350 clothing allowance

$250 boot allowance

Job summary

Watonwan County is seeking skilled highway maintenance staff to operate a range of heavy equipment and perform related manual tasks on county roads. You may lead a small crew and work under supervision with safety as a priority.

Responsibilities include plowing snow, maintaining gravel roads, patching and ditch work, and keeping detailed maintenance logs. CDL A/B compliance and prior road work experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Valid Minnesota Class B CDL (and ability to obtain Class A CDL within 6 months).
• Significant experience in road maintenance and construction work.
• Experience operating highway and heavy equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operate highway maintenance equipment (grader, etc.) and perform manual maintenance tasks.
• Lead a small crew of maintenance personnel as assigned.
• Patch holes, crack fill, and perform ditch cleaning and frostboils work.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance and keep logs.
• Adhere to safety rules and DOT drug/alcohol testing requirements.
• Report conditions and assist in repairs on equipment.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety awareness

Team leadership

Reading maps/blueprints

Education

Minnesota CDL required

Tools

Front-end loader

Backhoe

Dump truck

Small hand tools

Job description

This is manual and skilled work in the operation of highway maintenance equipment and the performance of a variety of related maintenance tasks on County roads and highways. Work involves responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of varied heavy equipment and as well as the performance of manual tasks. Work may include lead work responsibilities as assigned in assuming responsibility for the work of a small crew of other maintenance personnel. Work is performed according to standard procedures or general rules under limited supervision of senior staff. Operates motor patrol grader to plow snow in winter. Blades and maintains gravel roads and shoulders in summer. Loads or moves gravel and other road construction materials with front-end loader or backhoe. May operate a variety of heavy equipment when assigned (e.g. dragline, bulldozer, etc.). May operate light to medium equipment or drive a dump truck when assigned. Visually inspects roads to assess and report the need for maintenance.

Performs bridge maintenance and culvert and tile repair. Performs a variety of manual tasks related to highway maintenance, such as patching holes in roads, crack filling, cleaning ditches and digging out frostboils. May operate a variety of handtools, such as chainsaws, packers, jackhammers and posthole augers.

Performs general repair work and routine maintenance on equipment and vehicles such as oil change, greasing and belt change. Performs shop maintenance and other related tasks in County garages. Maintains daily logs related to time spent on specific jobs and vehicle logs for maintenance and repair. Performs other work as assigned.

Responsible to observe all Watonwan County safety and health rules and to apply the principles of accident prevention in day-to-day duties. Required to submit to and pass pre-employment, random and post-accident DOT drug and alcohol testing.

Training and Experience

Requires a valid Minnesota Class B Commercial Driver's License, and ability to obtain Class A CDL within 6 months. (Assistance is available.) Requires considerable experience in road maintenance and construction work, and experience operating highway and heavy equipment.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

Knowledge of the operating characteristics, and maintenance requirements of assigned equipment. Knowledge of the work hazards and applicable safety precautions associated with assigned equipment and operations. Ability to assist in both minor and major repairs on equipment assigned. Knowledge of the applicable traffic laws, ordinances and regulations involved in the operation of assigned equipment.

Ability to follow oral and written instructions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, engineers, contractors, county officials and the general public.

Ability to work under a variety of weather conditions. Ability to lift at least 80 pounds from ground level to chest height. Physical agility to climb, balance, stoop, exert force and perform other bodily movements to sufficiently operate the required equipment and tools.

• Insurance and retirement benefits add a minimum value of $9.50 to $15.65/hour.
• Pay rate is minimum, depending on qualifications, with up to 2 pay increases per year.
• $350 clothing allowance per year.
• $250 boot allowance.

Must be able to report to the St. James or delegated shop at the assigned time.