Heavy Equipment Operator - Utilities

Gfoat; Town of Texas (WI); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

TMRS retirement plan

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Job summary

The City of Van Alstyne is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator to support water distribution and wastewater collection systems. The role involves excavating, installing, repairing, and restoring utility infrastructure using backhoes, excavators, loaders, jetting equipment, and other machinery, while following safety procedures.

Two years of related experience and valid licenses are required. The successful candidate will respond to on-call emergencies, work overtime, and collaborate with the

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in water distribution / wastewater collection maintenance.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Class B CDL License or obtain within six months of employment.
• Water Operator License (Texas) or obtain within one year.
• Collections II Wastewater Collection License or obtain within one year.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy construction equipment such as backhoes, excavators, loaders, trenchers, and other machinery for water and wastewater projects.
• Install, repair, and replace water mains, sewer lines, hydrants, valves, and meters.
• Inspect and maintain utility lines, perform digging, trenching, and site restoration.
• Respond to on-call emergencies and assist with city crew operations.

Job description

General Description of Position:

Under the general supervision of the Utilities Crew Leader, the Heavy Equipment Operator performs skilled work in the operation of heavy construction equipment to support the construction, maintenance, and repair of the City’s water distribution and wastewater collection systems. This position utilizes prior experience in water and wastewater utility operations to safely excavate, install, repair, and restore utility infrastructure. Participates in training opportunities, follows established safety procedures, and responds to on-call and emergency situations as required.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

Essential Functions:

• Represents the City of Van Alstyne in a professional, appropriate manner at all times.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential.
• Complete daily work orders, service requests, and related documentation accurately and in a timely manner;
• Comply with all established safety practices, regulations, and procedures; maintain a safe work environment at all times;
• Assist with construction, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of the City’s water distribution and wastewater collection systems;
• Diagnose, locate, and repair water and wastewater line leaks, breaks, blockages, and service interruptions; excavate, expose, and restore utility lines in accordance with Local, State, and Federal specifications;
• Safely operate heavy construction equipment such as backhoes, excavators, loaders, trenchers, dump trucks, jetting equipment, hydrovac, and related machinery to support water distribution and wastewater collection system work around existing underground utilities and structure;
• Ensure locates have been called in and completed prior to digging.
• Perform excavation, trenching, backfilling, and site restoration for installation, maintenance, and repair of water and wastewater infrastructure;
• Assist with the installation, repair, and replacement of water mains, sewer lines, valves, hydrants, manholes, and related appurtenances;
• Exercise, test, and paint fire hydrants;
• Operate, maintain, and perform minor repairs on a variety of construction and maintenance equipment, including but not limited to backhoes, trenchers, loaders, tapping machines, air compressors, pumps, grinders, sewer machines, wastewater jetting equipment, and line locators;
• Assist with water and wastewater taps for new service; install, repair, and replace valves, hydrants, clean-outs, pipes, fittings, and connectors;
• Turn water services on and off; install, remove, replace, adjust, and maintain water meters and meter boxes, including raising or lowering boxes as needed;
• Inspects and flushes water mains to ensure water quality throughout the distribution system;
• Locate underground water and sewer utilities;
• Assist with inspecting, cleaning, constructing, and rebuilding manholes;
• Operate wastewater jetting equipment, hydrovac, and related tools to clear obstructions and restore proper flow within wastewater lines;
• Responds to inquiries and complaints from residents and recommends corrective action as necessary to resolve issues;
• Provides backup assistance, on-call coverage, and support to other crews and City departments as needed; must work overtime as required;
• Perform routine inspections on assigned City vehicles and equipment; monitor fluid levels and report the need for major repairs;
• Travels to job sites and to attend training; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

Heavy. Exerting force to lift, carry, or drag 50-100 pounds rarely, 25-50 pounds occasionally, or up to 10-20 pounds frequently. Other essential and important duties/functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for adequate physical performance abilities including moderate and heavy lifting; bending stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing; the use of fingers, both hands and both arms; the use of both legs; walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; the ability to operate motorized equipment and assigned vehicles; adequate speech, hearing and eyesight required; lift, carry, push, pull, drag or hold moderate to heavy weight objects; visual acuity and ability to distinguish color.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $41,600 – $49,920 annually, commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience. The is a full-time nonexempt position. Hours: At will. Mandatory overtime and on-call as needed.

TMRS Retirement. 7% employee contribution with a 2 to 1 employer match. Vested after five years of service. TMRS provides 1x your annual salary in life insurance benefit. Employees are retirement eligible upon vesting and at least age 60 or with 20 years of service credit at any age as well as restricted prior service credit.
12 paid holidays.
100% of employee health, dental, vision, benefits paid as well as 50% of dependent health coverage!
For more information regarding all of the benefits offered by the City of Van Alstyne please review our Summary of Benefits.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Operation, safe use, and basic maintenance of heavy construction equipment;
• Methods, tools, materials, and equipment used in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water distribution and wastewater collection systems;
• Common tools, equipment and materials used in utility construction, maintenance, and repair;
• Excavation, trenching, shoring, backfilling, and site restoration techniques;
• Underground utility locating procedures and practices to prevent utility damage;
• Job‑site safety practices, including OSHA regulations, traffic control standards, and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Hazards associated with utility construction work, including confined spaces and working around active utilities;
• General construction practices and utility maintenance standards; and
• City policies and procedures.

Ability to:

• Exercise sound and ethical judgment in decision‑making processes;
• Contribute to a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity and teamwork;
• Respond to public inquiries and complaints in an effective manner using tact, patience and courtesy;
• Work safely in adverse conditions, including inclement weather, confined spaces, low visibility, and other hazardous environments;
• Apply state and local safety regulations and specifications;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, contractors, and the public;
• Follow written and verbal instructions and understand basic directions;
• Skill in effective oral and written communications; and
• Work independently and with little direction.

Education, Training, and Experience:

Two (2) years of experience in water distribution/wastewater collection system maintenance. An equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Must possess and continue to possess a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Texas
• Possession of Class B CDL License or obtain license within six (6) months of employment
• Possession of a Class C Water Operator License issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or obtain license within one (1) year of employment
• Possession of a Collections II Wastewater Collection License issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or obtain license within one (1) year of employment

Critical Thinking Skills

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Working Conditions

Somewhat disagreeable working conditions. Continuously exposed to one or two elements such as noise, intermittent standing, walking; and pushing, carrying, or lifting. May involve some travel and/or work is at times, in the evening or during the night hours.

Environmental Conditions

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outdoor weather conditions; and occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Physical Activities

The following physical activities 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 and expectations.

Moderate diversity, low physical. Work activities which allow for a moderate amount of diversity in the performance of tasks which are not as varied as those positions with high-level diversity and decision- making.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear; and frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and ability to adjust focus.

Machines, Tools, Equipment

Knowledge and ability to properly use and operate small, medium, and large trucks, probe rod, pumps, power tools, and hand tools.

Protective Equipment Provided

Hard hat, gloves, boots, mask, and eye protection.