Heavy Equipment Operator - Water

City-of-Harker-Heights; Harker Heights (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Harker Heights is seeking a skilled Field Technician to operate heavy equipment and maintain water distribution and wastewater systems. The role includes servicing pump stations, storing facilities, and supporting after-hours duty coverage.

Requires a high school diploma or GED and the ability to obtain Texas CDL within six months, plus state certifications within specified timelines. The position emphasizes safety, reliability, and adherence to city core values.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• CDL must be obtained within six months from date of hire.
• Texas C Water Distribution and Wastewater Collections II Certification within one year from hire/promotion.
• Wastewater Collections III Certification within three years from hire/promotion.

Responsibilities

• Operates a front end loader, backhoe, roller, skid steer, dump truck, compactor, mower and related equipment.
• Maintains and repairs water distribution and wastewater infrastructure and equipment.
• Insures equipment is secured at end of shift and performs routine maintenance.
• Operates and maintains water pump stations and water storage facilities.
• Answers Duty Phone on nights, weekends and holidays.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Attendance is essential and demonstrates City Core Values.

Skills

Equipment operation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Texas CDL

Texas C Water Distribution Certification

Wastewater Collections III Certification

Job description

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Water Field Supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

• Follows well-established procedures and methods. Operates a front end loader, backhoe, roller, skid steer, dump truck, compactor, mower, computer etc.
• Operates equipment for such things as excavating, repairing or replacing infrastructure in the water distribution, wastewater treatment and collection systems.
• Performs maintenance service and makes minor field repairs on equipment, insures that equipment is secure at the end of each work shift.
• Operates and maintains water pumpstations and water storage facilities.
• Answers Duty Phone on nights, weekends and holidays.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Attendance is an essential function of this job.
• Exhibits the City of Harker Heights’ Core Values.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Requires general responsibility for the proper use, operation, maintenance, minor repairs and the adjustments of a large number of complex machines, equipment, and facilities. Responsible for compliance with standard safety measures to insure personal safety and the safety of others in the prevention of accidents. Requires responsibility for considerable economics and improvement in respective operations and activities through efficient and economical use and conservation of labor, material, and supplies as related to the position. Performs duties under minimum supervision and has minimum supervisory responsibility. Performs specific and general assignments independently in accordance with instructions. Requires normal responsibility in interpreting and executing policy and methods within narrowly prescribed limits. Insures cooperation and proper work flow between work crews and/or small groups of employees performing closely associated work. Responsible for good public relations when dealing with the public while performing duties of the position. Requires considerable physical exertion working with average or heavy equipment, tools, and materials. Also requires rapid and continuing physical effort due to changes of posture and difficult positions. Requires manual skills, adeptness, and speed in the use of fingers, hands, or arms under normal motions or positions necessary to perform the duties of the position. Reads, understands, and follows written and oral job instructions (English); hears clearly when working around equipment or in street and alley traffic, using proper safety precautions; lifts and carries up to fifty (50) pounds, and pulls, pushes, or drags up to 120 pounds of installation and repair equipment or materials; climbs, crawls, kneels, squats, bends, twists, and stoops for extended periods of time while performing installations; works in trenches and confined spaces; works indoors and outdoors in extreme temperatures including heat, cold, temperature swings, and inclement weather; some exposure to mechanical, electrical, explosive, fumes, odor, dust, chemicals, and toxic waste hazards. Serves on standby crew for after-hours emergency work as required. Communicates effectively with public and with other City employees.

Knowledge

Requires knowledge of various sets of controls used in the operation of various types of equipment and attachments.

Abilities

Requires normal alertness to follow instructions and methods; mental application and concentration where tasks of operations are repetitive or where the work flow is intermittent; and simple examination or analysis by comparison with established facts, standards, or procedures.

Requires ability to take initiative and/or to plan and improvise procedures and standards. Requires occasional exercise of independent judgement with obvious choices of action in handling the work in accordance with established methods, procedures, and/or regulations.

Required Education, Degrees, Certificates and/or Licenses

High school diploma or GED. Must be able to obtain Texas CDL within six (6) months from date of hire. Must be able to obtain a Texas “C” Water Distribution and Wastewater Collections II Certification within one (1) year from date of hire/promotion, and must be able to obtain a Wastewater Collections III Certification within three (3) years from date of hire/promotion.

Experience

A minimum of six (6) months experience in performing construction work requiring the use of equipment similar to or the same as assigned to this position. Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above required knowledges, skills, and abilities is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.