Heavy Equipment Operator

SUMMARY

Equipment operators are responsible for the safe operation of heavy equipment vehicles. The mobile equipment operator I, should be proficient in at least one of the following; loader, haul truck, motor graders, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, water pull, bulldozer, forklift, gannon tractor, water truck or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement and willing to train on additional pieces of equipment.  Individual must be able to operate mobile equipment in compliance with company policies and procedures, standard practices and safety regulations. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Learn and follow safety regulations.
• Wear required safety equipment including but not limited to hardhats, safety glasses, safety harness, ear plugs, dust masks and gloves
• Capable of handling constant conditions associated with riding in a loader
• Physically capable of climbing up and down, above, inside and under equipment
• Able to perform shoveling
• Capable of doing repetitious arm, hand and leg motion
• Stand or sit for considerable amounts of time
• Adjust handwheels and depress pedals to control attachments, such as blades, buckets, scrapers, or swing booms.
• Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
• Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
• Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials, using trucks, crawler tractors, power cranes, shovels, graders, or related equipment.
• Check fuel supplies at sites to ensure adequate availability.
• Drive and maneuver equipment equipped with blades in successive passes over working areas to remove topsoil, vegetation, or rocks or to distribute and level earth or terrain.
• Keep records of material or equipment usage or problems encountered.
• Repair and maintain equipment, making emergency adjustments or assisting with major repairs as necessary.

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; develops realistic action plans.

• Job Knowledge – Strong understanding of construction safety and OSHA requirements.  Strong understanding of heavy machinery operation.  Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others.
• Communications - Exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

QUALIFICATIONS The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and/or Experience

Requires a general educational knowledge normally acquired through a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED).  1-2 years related operating experience and/or training; An Understanding of technical skills including: Controlling operations of equipment or systems; watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly; determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed on equipment. Understands and abides by all government processes and regulations. Requirements as a Safety-Sensitive position pre and post-employment screenings including but not limited to drug testing as outlined by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and motor vehicle record (MVR) background checks are required.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; Use hands to operate, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance.  The employee is frequently required to talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; distance vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; ability to adjust focus.