Equipment Operator 1

The Russell County Highway Department is responsible to the Russell County Commission for the construction and maintenance of all public roads and bridges within Russell County not otherwise the responsibility of the State of Alabama or an incorporated area within the County.

The incumbent of this position operates and performs operator maintenance on one or more types of heavy equipment such as, but not limited to, herbicide applicator trucks, tracked excavators, backhoes, front end loaders, motorized scrapers, aggregate spreaders, dozers, motor graders, light tractors, road rollers and power brooms.

Moves earth and construction material on steep slopes, graded curve, and shoulders, rocky or soft ground, hilly forests and other surfaces with rough features.

Operates and performs operator maintenance on motor vehicles up to a gross vehicle weight rating of 88,000 pounds with either mechanical or air brakes, with or without a trailer. Such motor vehicles include, but are not limited to, passenger cars, pickup trucks and trucks with platform, stake or dump bodies up to 21 cubic yard capacity.

[Incumbent may be required to perform other related or lower graded duties as necessary to complete a work assignment or as directed by the supervisor.
[This position is a safety sensitive position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ]{arial”,sans-serif”=””}]{arial”,sans-serif”=””}

Incumbent must be able to fine grade slopes, inclines, ramps curves and excavations by scraping, scooping, rolling or leveling on rough and rocky terrain or in forest areas.

Works to exact specifications from grade stakes set by engineers by adjusting attachments while the equipment is in motion and on all types of terrain. Incumbent must know the uses and functions of the different sets of controls or operation of the equipment and attachments and be skilled in handling these controls to perform the work. Frequently these different controls are handled at the same time, requiring good hand, eye and foot coordination as well as good depth perception and a high degree of concentration.

The operator must be able to move the equipment about in confined areas.

[As a driver of a motor vehicle, must have skill in manipulating controls to start, stop, drive and back the assigned vehicle in all types of traffic and road conditions, must have knowledge of height, width, length and weight of the vehicle in order to judge overhead and side clearances, the turning radius, braking distance and the safest distance to be maintained from other vehicles. Incumbent must have knowledge of defensive driving techniques, including skill to recognize developing hazardous road and traffic conditions and the judgment to select alternate routes to avoid potential problems. Must have knowledge and skills to adjust their driving methods to the practices of the surrounding traffic in order to avoid accidents and to transport cargo safely. Must have knowledge of Alabama, Georgia and local safety rules and regulations.
[To operate a dump truck, incumbent must have skill in manipulating the hydraulic controls to raise and lower the dump body, know how to adjust the tailgate for spreading construction material, be able to back the truck over uneven and soft terrain, use side mirrors and respond to hand signals from a spotter to maneuver and follow the proper procedures for dumping the load to prevent the truck from tipping over or causing damage to overhead obstacles.
[Incumbent must have the knowledge to recognize developing maintenance problems when conducting an operators inspection of their assigned equipment and to report technical problems to the supervisor.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

[Knowledge of road and bridge construction materials, processes and standards.
[Knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions of construction and road maintenance.
[Knowledge of County and department regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures.
<
]{arial”,sans-serif”=””}]{arial”,sans-serif”=””}]{arial”,sans-serif”=””}]{arial”,sans-serif”=””}]{arial”,sans-serif”=””}]{arial”,sans-serif”=””}