County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, operates one or more types of heavy construction equipment in the maintenance and construction of County roads and flood control facilities may drive a truck or perform manual labor; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the journey-level class in Heavy Equipment operation. A Heavy Equipment Operator spends most of the time operating such heavy equipment as a motor grader, roller, backhoe or hydraulic excavator. Based on a general explanation at the start of a particular work assignment, a Heavy Equipment Operator is expected to operate equipment so as to carry out the assignment rapidly, efficiently, and safely.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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; cuts, levels, slopes, grades, compacts, and otherwise prepares road beds, 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.

2. Checks and maintains equipment for oiling and greasing needs; makes minor adjustments or emergency repairs; performs all required safety inspections.

3. Occasionally drives a truck in order to move equipment to or from job or to haul such material as rock and plant mix.

4. Keeps daily time and equipment records.

5. Directs the placement of trucks and personnel at a work site to carry out the assignment rapidly, efficiently, and safely.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of two years full-time experience as a Heavy Truck Driver or in an equivalent or higher level construction equipment maintenance or operation class in the Alameda County service.

Or II
Experience:

The equivalent of three years full-time experience in the operation of large dump trucks or other heavy mobile road equipment, one year of which includes the operation of a motor grader, bulldozer, excavator, roller, track-type loader, or backhoe in connection with road and flood control construction or maintenance.

License:

Possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Class A Commercial Driver’s License. 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; a Tanks (N) endorsement and a valid Medical Certificate are required for all patterns.

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 chipseals, asphalt, crackseals, 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.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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.
• Proper loading and trailering techniques.
• Relevant construction safety procedures.


Ability to:

• Operate motor graders, rollers, track loaders, excavators or large tractors.
• Drive a truck safely while towing equipment.
• Quickly acquire skill in operating all heavy construction equipment used by the County.
• Follow oral instructions.
• Follow written instructions.
• Keep simple records.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:Lm h:Revised/Retitled:02/84
Updated:02/87
TAT:pb:Updated:02/24/89
Revised:bb:08/25/93
JH:jc Updated Retyped:09/85
6/95
RE:cla/lm Revised: 9/97
Newspecs: 9355.doc
AM:pf Rev. 8/31/00
CSC Date: 9/27/00
RC:po Revised 12/8/05
CSC Date: 1/18/2006
MH:cs 8/20/08 revised
CSC Date: 9/10/2008
MH:cs Revised 5/11/11
CSC Date: 6/15/11
MH:cs Revised 2/2/15
CSC Date: 5/27/15

BENEFITS

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.