Senior Equipment Operator

Pocatello Fire Department; Pocatello (ID); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pocatello Fire Department is seeking a Senior Equipment Operator, a journey-level role responsible for operating and maintaining a wide range of city equipment and infrastructure assets.

The position requires a Class A CDL with tanker/trailer endorsements, water distribution knowledge, and safety certifications; the role is on-call for emergencies and involves mentoring crews and coordinating field activities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Class A CDL with tanker and trailer endorsements required.
• Flagging certification required.
• Class I Drinking Water Distribution Operator Certification required.
• Three years of heavy equipment experience preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certification required.

Responsibilities

• Operates all equipment in the Department inventory including graders, paving and milling equipment, bulldozers, large excavators, backhoes, loader, dump truck, sweeper, camera van, equipment transport vehicles, water trucks, compactors, boring equipment, snow plows, and related street maintenance equipment.
• Assists in training other employees on operating equipment.
• Assesses job site for marked and unmarked utilities. Monitors job site for safety procedures and compliance.
• Performs basic maintenance on vehicles and equipment. Performs flagging and traffic control duties at work sites.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned; management may reassign duties as needed.
• Equipment operators are responsible for safe trench excavation around utilities and may assist with water line work.

Skills

Power tools operation

Heavy equipment operation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Class A CDL with tanker/trailer endorsements

Flagging certification

CPR and First Aid certification

Job description

The Senior Equipment Operator is a fully functioning journey level position performing equipment operation and maintenance duties, operating all equipment in an assigned Department. This position is differentiated from the Equipment Operator by the type of equipment operated, training and experience on the equipment, and supervision required on the job site. This job may also provide direction to crews on site.

The job requires knowledge of the operation of power tools and all equipment in the Department inventory.

In the Water Department, the job requires knowledge of the methods of trench excavation, site grading, water distribution repair and installation of water mains, services, valves, hydrants, meters and storm/Sewer Related infrastructure. The job requires a Class I Drinking Water Distribution Operator Certification*.

The job requires the ability to maintain a collaborative and cooperative working relationship with elected and appointed officials, other City employees, other organizations, and the general public.

The work environment is a public street environment that may include exposure to adverse weather conditions, trench excavation, traffic hazards, moving vehicles and heavy equipment at the job site, and hazards involving the use of power tools and equipment. The noise level is generally moderate but with occasional exposure to noisy and/or loud equipment.

The job is an on-call position, responding to emergency situations. Employees designated as immediate response personnel must live thirty minutes or less from their usual daily work site.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operates all equipment in the Department inventory including, but not limited to, graders, paving and milling equipment, bulldozers, large excavators, backhoes, loader, dump truck, sweeper, camera van, equipment transport vehicles, water trucks, compactors, boring equipment, snow plows, and related street maintenance equipment.
• Assists in training other employees on operating equipment.
• Assesses job site for marked and unmarked utilities. Monitors job site for compliance with safety procedures and protocols.
• Performs basic maintenance on vehicles and equipment. Performs flagging and traffic control duties at work sites.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.
• Equipment operators are responsible for recognizing and excavating a safe trench excavation around various underground utilities. Assists plumbers with installation and repair of water lines, service lines, hydrants, and valves. Backfills, compacts and patches utility cuts in pavement. May be assigned to assist with pulling pumps and cleaning water storage tanks. May provide direction to other employees at a job site. Fills-in vacant position on night and weekend shifts.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED; and
• Class A CDL with tanker and trailer or other specified endorsements*;
• Flagging certification
• CPR and First Aid certification
• Three (3) years of heavy equipment experience is preferred.
• Class I Drinking Water Distribution Operator Certification is required*.

*Hiring Note: The Senior Equipment Operator position requires a Class A CDL with endorsements within six (6) months of hire, and a Class I Drinking Water Distribution Operator certification within eighteen (18) months of hire. Failure to acquire this certification by the established date will violate the terms of the position and will result in layoff from the position.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• *Knowledge of:* Methods and techniques of safely operating power tools and all equipment in the Department inventory, including but not limited to, graders, paving and milling equipment, bulldozers, large excavators, backhoes, loaders, dump trucks with trailer, sweeper, equipment transport vehicles, camera van, snowplows, sanders, jet trucks, and related equipment, as assigned.
• Methods, techniques, and objectives of snow and ice pretreatment and removal.
• Methods, techniques, and objectives of flagging and traffic control.
• Equipment maintenance methods and techniques.
• Federal regulations and City policies regarding safe work practices relating to excavation and shoring procedures, use of light, medium, and heavy equipment, power tools, and hand tools.
• Operation of a personal computer and job-related software applications.
• Methods, techniques and objectives of water line installation, maintenance and repair.