Equipment Operator

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

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For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To operate light and moderately heavy road maintenance and construction equipment in the repair, maintenance and construction of County roads.

This is the full journey level class within the Equipment Operator series.  This class is distinguished from the Maintenance Worker by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Equipment Operator in that the latter operates a variety of heavy equipment requiring a high level of skill, performs complex road maintenance and construction activities requiring a high degree of independent judgment and may exercise technical and functional supervision over maintenance and technical personnel as assigned.

Receives general supervision from the Road District Supervisor and may receive technical and functional supervision from other maintenance or technical personnel.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operate light and moderately heavy equipment such as dump and water trucks, pavers, rollers, rotary mowers, snow plows and sanders, skip loaders and back hoes, in tasks of excavation, digging, plowing, mowing, hauling and loading; assist in equipment maintenance by performing minor repairs and service tasks as needed.  Under close supervision may operate heavy equipment for relief or training purposes.
• Manually assist in resurfacing, oiling and patching; clean ditches and culverts, lay drainage pipe, build fences and repair storm drains; load and unload materials and supplies; perform traffic control including set up and removal of signs and cones and flagging.
• As Maintenance Worker, perform a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks in program areas such as equipment operation, traffic control maintenance, tree trimming and bridge construction.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of the applicants to identify in their application how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training

Experience:  Two years of responsible experience performing duties similar to those of a Maintenance Worker assigned to various program areas in Placer County.

Training:  Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Knowledge of:

• General use and purpose of maintenance equipment and hand tools.
• Safe driving practices and general safe work practices.
County Road Division policies and procedures, especially as related to moderately heavy equipment operation. 
Principles and practices of operation and routine maintenance of road and construction equipment.
Vehicle codes and safety practices relevant to operating light and heavy vehicles and equipment.
General construction standards and practices as applied to road maintenance.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand operations and observe safety rules.  Intermittently analyze problem equipment; identify and locate equipment and tools; interpret work orders; remember equipment and tool location; remember street/road names and general geographic areas. 
• Intermittently, sit while completing forms or reports; bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist and reach when operating equipment controls or installing parts or digging, clearing and spreading; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; regularly lift very heavy weight.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
• Safely and effectively perform duties and learn to operate equipment in regular traffic areas.
• Work unusual and prolonged work schedules; work multiple shifts during emergencies, seasonally-caused circumstances, or special projects in varying climatic and temperature conditions.
• Use hand tools.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

Specific position(s) within this classification designated as Safety Sensitive may require applicants to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse and to provide consent for Placer County to conduct a full query of their records within the Clearinghouse prior to an offer of employment.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.