Heavy Equipment Operator

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.

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.

• 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

• 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).