County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to operate a single leaf or double leaf bascule bridge, or a vertical lift bridge; and perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Incumbents of this class operate drawbridges to ensure the safe passage of water, rail, vehicle and pedestrian traffic with a minimum of delay. They perform routine greasing, lubrication, and minor mechanical and electrical maintenance on bridge machinery and equipment. When required, assist bridge maintenance personnel in performing more complex maintenance on mechanical and electrical equipment. Incumbents report to and receive direction from the Assistant Bridge Superintendent.

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. Maintains lookout for marine traffic; receives and acknowledges sound or visual signals, and radio-telephone communications from vessels requesting passage. Must be aware of wind, tide, and tidal current conditions in conjunction with the movement and speed of vessels in order to prevent collisions with the bridge structure.

2. Controls traffic on bridge prior to opening to ensure safe passage of water, vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

3. Opens and closes bridge by operating a series of controls in sequence.

4. Maintains simple maintenance records; a bridge log recording bridge openings, vessel movements, accidents, equipment malfunctions and unusual occurrences; and a radio-telephone log in which communications with vessels are recorded.

5. Conducts continuous bridge security checks and inspections to note deficiencies in bridge structure.

6. Routine maintenance duties require some physical effort, agility and dexterity. Duties include, but are not limited to:
Lubrication or greasing of bridge operating machinery and equipment (gates, barriers, racks, pinions, gears, locking mechanisms, sump pumps, bearing trunnions, thrustor brakes, steel cables, speed reducers, air and spring buffers).
Inspection and awareness of problems associated with electrical systems and equipment (motors, generators, selsyns, relays, transformers, switches, fuses, motor contractors, and circuit breakers). Replace fuses and lamps. Reset circuit breakers.
Inspection of operating equipment and machinery for damaged or missing parts and loose fastening devices (bolts, nuts, cotter pins, springs, clamps, couplings, fittings, machine and wood screws). Where possible, tighten loose fastening devices.

7. When required, assist bridge maintenance personnel in performing more complex adjustments and repairs to or replacement of mechanical and electrical equipment.

8. Performs housekeeping duties in the bridge control towers, machinery rooms, shops, counterweight and barrier pits. Cleans operating machinery and equipment. Keeps bridge sidewalks swept clean/washed down, and the bridge roadway clear of road hazards.

9. In emergency situations, may be required to act as traffic control officer; call for police; and record license numbers of vehicles involved in accidents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of experience in any of the following areas: Manufacture, assembly, operation, installation, maintenance or repair of heavy industrial electro-mechanical equipment (such as electric motors, large cranes, or elevators, etc.).

License:

Possess and maintain a valid California Motor Vehicle Class C Driver’s License. Candidates must submit evidence from DMV showing current status of their license at the time of application and must have a clean driving record for the previous three-year period.  Must qualify for a Federal Communications Commission Restricted Radio-telephone Operator permit.

Special Requirements:

Must have normal hearing and eyesight, including depth perception and freedom from color and night blindness.
Must be able to climb stairs, ladders, and open steel bridge structures.
Must be available to work rotating shifts which may require working holidays and weekends.

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:

• Fundamentals of electrical and mechanical maintenance methods, procedures, tools, and equipment.
• Safety practices.
• Applicable provisions of the California State Motor Vehicle Code.
• Regulations governing the operation of drawbridges.

Ability to:

• Work without close supervision.
• Learn the operation of all county-operated drawbridges.
• Learn the regulations governing the operation of drawbridges.
• Operate and maintain heavy industrial electro-mechanical equipment.
• Work harmoniously with the public.
• Work in open steel bridge structures as heights up to 180 feet and in counterweight pit areas to 40 feet below the estuary water level.
• Understand and communicate clearly in the English language, both written and oral.
• Learn and use proper radio-telephone procedures.
• Keep records and logs, prepare written and make oral reports.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:nw
1/9/74
Revised: 2/27/75
TAT:pb
Revised: 8/5/86
Old document: 0895h
New document: Jobspecs/9616
ys/11/01
CSC Date: 8/6/86
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.