Heavy Equipment Operator

Salary: $23.56 - $29.84 Hourly
Location : Long Prairie, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 365D
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 03/28/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Purpose of Position
Posting will remain open until filled.
The purpose of this position is to provide year-round maintenance of county highways, bridges and equipment so that the public can travel and transport goods in a safe and convenient manner. This position is responsible for Heavy Equipment, motor vehicles and performing manual labor. Maintenance in the spring, summer and fall includes repair of roads and bridges as they deteriorate with age, turf establishment and weed and brush control. Winter maintenance includes clearing snow and ice from roadways.
Basic Performance Expectations of all Todd County Staff

• Serves as a positive example to other County personnel with regard to workplace actions, decisions, work skills, attitude and adherence to workplace policy and procedures.
• Has strong communication and interpersonal skills, is honest, fair and dependable.
• Embodies teamwork and cooperation within and across County departments and with the public.
• Communicates effectively with the Department Head and keeps supervisor apprised of important matters ongoing in the department.
• Respect all colleagues, co-workers, board members and the public and lead those around you to do the same.
• This position requires regular and timely attendance in accordance with the department schedule.
• Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Position Specific Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required as assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Operates a variety of Heavy Equipment for loading, hauling, spreading and compacting road construction materials, mowing, herbicide application, dust control, striping and other maintenance operations
• Removes snow and ice on the roadways with designated equipment.
• Removes and installs culverts, fences, guard rails and snow fences.
• Maintenance of County Highways.
• Maintenance of County bridges.
• Load and Haul gravel for road maintenance.
• Operate Heavy Equipment for snowplow and sanding operation.
• Operate water truck and other equipment during seasonal work.
• Slope preparation and seeding.
• Preventative maintenance and repair of county equipment.
• Cleaning and repair of county shops.
• Mow for weed control.
• Cut and remove brush and trees.
• Install and maintain drainage structures and tile lines.
• Must be available for call outs for seasonal and emergency operations.
• This position requires regular and timely attendance.
• Remove garbage and carcasses from road right away.
• Blading and Maintaining gravel roads.

Minimum Education and Experience/Special Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and considerable experience at a highway construction firm or highway maintenance department with experience operating Heavy Equipment and dump trucks, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Requires some knowledge of the construction materials used and the safe handling of these materials.
• Must possess and maintain a Minnesota Valid Class A commercial driver's license with air brake endorsement.
• Must pass criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience plowing snow with a truck.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of a variety of heavy construction and maintenance equipment.
• Knowledge of the operating hazards and safety precautions related to such equipment.
• Skill in the operation of trucks, tractors and other Heavy Equipment.
• Must be able to obtain additional licenses and endorsements as needed.

Physical Requirements
This work requires the regular exertion of up to 50 pounds of force and occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking and hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climbing or balancing and reaching with hands and arms, frequently requires walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing ; smelling; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arms length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor extreme weather conditions, working with explosives and exposure to vibration, frequently requires exposure to the risk of electrical shock and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working in high, precarious places, exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), wearing a breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a very loud noise location (e.g. jack hammer work, garbage recycle plant).
2024 Todd County Summary of Benefits
The following is intended to be a general overview of benefits provided for full-time positions. County contributions to health insurance may differ by collective bargaining agreement, please refer to your union contract. Group Health Insurance benefits become effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Further details and a complete copy of the applicable contract/policy are available at the time an employment offer is extended. If you have questions about benefits, please contact the Administration Department at hr@co.todd.mn.us.
Health Insurance offered by Health Partners and Sourcewell
Employees have three (3) medical insurance plans to choose from. The rates shown are effective 1/1/2024. 2024 HSA Maximum Contributions: Single $4,150 /Family $8,300, Catch-up contributions $1,000.
Plan $1,600/$3,200 High Deductible - 100% & Health Savings Account (HSA) Employer Contribution per Month / Employee Cost per Month / HSA Employer Contribution per Month
Single $918.89 / $0.00 / $125.00
Employee + Child(ren) $1,225.00 / $411.50/ $125.00
Employee +Spouse $1,500.00 / $638.14 / $125.00
Family $1,650.00 / $815.48 / $125.00
Plan $4,150/$8,300 High Deductible -100% & Health Savings Account (HSA) Employer Contribution per Month / Employee Cost per Month / HSA Employer Contribution per Month
Single $789.90/ $0.00 / $165.00
Employee + Child(ren) $1,225.00 / $181.78 / $125.00
Employee + Spouse $1,500.00 / $338.00 / $125.00
Family $1,650.00 / $469.39/ $125.00
Plan $8,050/$16,100 High Deductible -100% & Health Savings Account (HSA) Employer Contribution per Month / Employee Cost per Month / HSA Employer Contribution per Month
Single $644.27/ $0.00 / $165.00
Employee + Child(ren) $1,147.40 / $0 / $125.00
Employee + Spouse $1,499.12 / $0 / $125.00
Family $1,650.00 / $78.63 / $125.00
Dental Insurance offered by Health Partners
Monthly Cost
Employee $38.05
Employee+1 $76.09
Family $114.15
Vision Insurance offered by Avesis
Monthly Cost
Employee $6.03
Employee+1 $10.53
Family $15.64
Flexible Spending Accounts offered by Select Account
Plan options include medical reimbursement and dependent day care FSAs as well as pre-tax deductions of medical and dental insurance premiums. Actual cost of pre-tax deductions is an average of 27% - 39% depending you're your bracket.
Life Insurance offered by Lincoln Financial
Term life offered at no cost for $20,000 basic life/ADD insurance coverage. Rates for voluntary additional coverage for employee or spouse vary according to age category:
Age of Employee Your Monthly Cost or Spouse per $1,000
Under age 25 $.057
25 - 29 $.057
30 - 34 $.057
35 - 39 $.095
40 - 44 $.114
45 - 49 $.162
50 - 54 $.238
55 - 59 $.428
60 - 64 $.646
65 - 69 $1.226
70 - 74 $1.976
Child Life: $1.30 per month $15,000
PERA Term Life
Voluntary supplemental decreasing term life offered by the Public Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota that may be continued into retirement, $16.00. See for additional information.
Short Term Disability offered by Lincoln Financial
Protect your income for the 1st three (3) months of disability. Rates vary by age category and you select your level of coverage from weekly benefits of $100 - $2,000 in $100 increments, not to exceed 60% of weekly gross earnings.
Long Term Disability offered by Lincoln Financial
Protect your income beginning the 4th month of a disability and benefits are payable for injury, sickness or pregnancy up to your normal retirement age, as defined by Social Security. You may elect any level of coverage, in increments of $100 between $500 and $5,000 per month, provided you don't insure more than 60% of your monthly income.
Deferred Compensation
Pre-tax 457(b) and post-tax IRA programs available.
PERA Pension Plan
Public Employers Retirement Association (PERA); the following contributions are mandated by state law:
Coordinated Detention Officers Law Enforcement
County Contribution: 7.50% 8.75% 17.70%
Employee Contribution: 6.50% 5.83% 11.80%
PERA handbooks are available at
Minnesota State Retirement Systems (MSRS) Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP)
A post retirement health care savings plan is an employer sponsored program that allows employees to save money to pay medical expenses and/or health insurance premiums after termination of public service.
Group Voluntary Plans Available through Cigna
* Accident Insurance
* Critical Illness Insurance
* Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Full details available at the time of hire.
Paid Vacation
Employees earn vacation as follows:
Hours earned
Years of Service Per month
1 thru 3 8
4 thru 5 10
6 thru 10 12
11 thru l5 14
16 thru 20 17
21 thru 24 18
25+ 19
See applicable union labor agreement for vacation schedule, some accrue per pay period. Employees may carry over up to 192 hours of available vacation per year.
Paid Sick Leave
Employees earn 8 hours of sick leave per month and may accrue up to 1040 hours (6 months) paid leave.
Paid Holidays
New Years Day
President's Day
Martin Luther King Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve Day (4 hours) - unless holiday falls on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday
Christmas Day
New Years Eve Day (4 hours) - unless holiday falls on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday
* See applicable union labor agreement for negotiated holidays.
Funeral Leave
Paid funeral leave of absence up to 40 hours.
* See applicable union labor agreement for negotiated funeral leave.
AFFINITY PLUS Credit Union
Financial Services including competitive loan rates, VISA, Savings Clubs, bill payments, investments and other services.
Fitness Room
The Todd County Wellness Committee sponsors a fitness room available to County employees and their immediate family members.
Minnesota Benefit Association
Serving Minnesota makes you a member of the association, rewarding you with great services and savings, including: Student Scholarships, Life Insurance, Home & Auto Insurance, etc. See pr 800.360.6117
Verizon Wireless Discount
As a benefit of your employment with Todd County, you may be eligible for a discount for Verizon Wireless service and equipment. go to for more information.
01
Do you have your High school diploma or GED and considerable experience at a highway construction firm or highway maintenance department with experience operating Heavy Equipment and dump trucks, or equivalent combination of education and experience?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you possess and are able to maintain a Valid Class A commercial driver's license with air brake endorsement.

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have experience at a highway construction firm or highway maintenance department with operating Heavy Equipment and dump trucks?

• Yes - 5 + years experience
• Yes - 2 to 5 years experience
• Yes - Under 2 years experience
• No

04
If you answered yes to the previous question, tell us a little about your experienc...