County of Alameda

Under general supervision, transports and skillfully operate one or more types of heavy construction equipment in the maintenance and construction of Zone 7 water infrastructure systems, roads, and flood control facilities; may perform manual labor as needed; does related work as required.    

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

This classification is located in the Zone 7 Water Agency and will report to the Maintenance and Construction Supervisor, Zone 7. The Heavy Equipment Operator, Zone 7 is a journey level class where incumbents operate heavy construction equipment to support the infrastructure needs of the Agency. Incumbents are also responsible for transporting construction equipment requiring a commercial license.

NOTE:  The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Operates large motor grader, bulldozer, excavator, roller, loader, or backhoe, and other similar heavy construction equipment in connection with the construction and maintenance of roads, road structures, and flood control facilities.
2. Cuts, levels, slopes, grades, compacts, and otherwise prepares roadbeds, ditches, channels, levees, and finished road grades and surfaces; excavates, loads and moves dirt, gravel and other materials; clears road shoulders; cuts roadside weeds and brush; places pipes in excavations and places rip-rap; excavates around utilities using backhoe or excavator. 
3. Assists in constructing culverts, drainage ditches and channels; helps in road construction, patching and surfacing; participates generally in all laboring phases of road and flood control construction and maintenance work.
4. Drives a truck to carry workers and equipment; hauls materials and supplies such as sand, rock, plant mix, lumber, broken concrete, culverts and concrete pipe, and other materials used in construction and maintenance of roads and flood control systems; and hauls dirt, stumps, and other debris away from work sites.
5. Performs simple vehicle maintenance, such as checking oil, water, and tire pressure, and performs inspections of vehicles as required by Department of Transportation (DOT); checks and maintains equipment for oiling and greasing needs; makes minor adjustments or emergency repairs; performs all required safety inspections.
6. Drives, loads and unloads transfer dump truck, pulls various types of trailers, compressors, pumps, generators, and other equipment.  
7. Maintains vigilance in observing and ensuring the safety of crew members and the public around equipment being operated; ensures compliance with environmental protection regulations.
8. Evaluates job sites for potential hazards; determines appropriate safety measures necessary to ensure safe equipment operation. 
9. Inspects all equipment used to ensure safe working condition and reports equipment in need of service or repair.   
10. Keeps daily time and equipment records.

Experience:  

The equivalent of three (3) years full-time experience in the operation of transfer dump trucks and other heavy mobile road equipment, two (2) years of which include the operation of a motor grader, bulldozer, excavator, roller, track-type loader, and backhoe in connection with excavating around utilities, road and flood control construction or maintenance facilities.  

License:  

Possess a valid non-restricted California Motor Vehicle Class A Commercial Driver’s License including valid Medical Certificate. Candidate must submit evidence from the DMV showing current status of their license at the time of application and must have a clean driving record for the past eighteen (18) months.  

Must obtain a Tanker (N) endorsement within six (6) months of employment.  

Special Requirement:  

Federal law and County policy requires that positions in the class of Heavy Equipment Operator are subject to post-offer/pre-placement/pre-duty, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, random, return-to-duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing.  

Working Conditions:

• Heavy Equipment Operator is subject to 24-hour call-out and must actively participate in the program.
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Subject to intense heat while applying chip seals, asphalt, crack seals, etc.
• Work on uneven surfaces.
• Subject to loud noises.
• Work in confined spaces.
• Contact with dust, dirt, poisonous plants, dead and live animals, used syringes and condoms, feces, urine, chemicals, paints, petroleum products, etc.
• Work in high traffic areas.
• Subject to climbing ladders, working from heights, working in moving water, bending, stooping, lifting heavy objects, crawling through small spaces, working overhead, etc.  

NOTE:    The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE:  The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.  

Knowledge of:  

• CA Biennial Inspection of Terminal (BIT) regulations pertaining to Class A Drivers, including hours of service, daily vehicle inspection and drivers’ logs.
• Road and flood control construction and maintenance methods and problems.
• Provisions of the California Motor Vehicle Code affecting equipment operations.
• Functions and operations of heavy motorized equipment.
• Operational characteristics of specialized construction, maintenance, and repair equipment.
• Proper use and care of common mechanical hand tools and equipment; job site safety and traffic control.
• Occupational hazards, safety precautions, and safe work practices including proper use and maintenance of power tools, vehicles, and equipment.
• Proper loading and trailering techniques.  

Ability to:  

• Operate heavy motorized equipment including backhoes, motor graders, rollers, track loaders, excavators or large tractors used in the maintenance, installation, and repair of Agency facilities and infrastructure.
• Proper use and care of common mechanical hand tools and equipment; observe, anticipate, and evaluate job site conditions and hazards.
• Determine operational methods and procedures and recommend or adopt effective courses of action.
• Properly position equipment and manipulate controls to ensure smooth, efficient, and safe operation of a variety of construction equipment relevant to work requirements and job site conditions.
• Drive a truck safely while towing equipment.    
• Quickly acquire skill in operating all heavy construction equipment used by the County.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Keep simple records.

New Spec 5001.docx

IL:sa 07/01/2022

CSC Date: 07/27/2022

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.