PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE WORKER III (#MU7 )

$33.17-$41.92 hourly / $5,749.00-$7,266.00 monthly / $68,993.60-$87,193.60 yearly

Under general supervision, perform maintenance and construction activities on roads, bridges and drainage facilities; operate complex heavy equipment; construct and maintain street signs and traffic control signs; direct the work of inmate laborers; trim and remove trees; serve as a crew leader of a small crew; and perform other duties as required.

Public Works Maintenance Worker III is the specialist and lead worker level classification in the Public Works Maintenance Worker series. Positions in this classification are assigned to perform one of the following functions: operation of complex heavy road construction equipment; construction and maintenance of roads, bridges or drainage facilities; construction and maintenance of street signs and traffic control signs; maintenance and removal of trees, including operation of related complex equipment; or, act as crew leader of a small crew or a crew of inmate laborers on a continuing basis. In addition to the above, all positions in this classification may act as a crew leader of a small crew, as assigned. Positions in this classification may rotate from one assignment to another, with the exception of the tree trimmer assignment, which requires certification as a Qualified Line Clearance Tree Trimmer. This classification is distinguished from the lower level classification of Public Works Maintenance Worker II by the specialized nature of the former's assignments, as well as performance of the lead worker function. This classification is distinguished from the higher level classification of Public Works Maintenance Worker IV in that the latter supervises the work of large crews or several small crews and acts as assistant supervisor.

Tasks performed in road and drainage assignments: Operate heavy equipment, such as cranes, graders, back hoes, grade-alls, bulldozers and loaders, which require complex maneuvering and adjustment of controls; excavate earth; cut road surfaces to precise grade; spread base material to correct grade and asphalt to finish grade; dig out trees and stumps; rip up portions of existing roads for resurfacing; clean and cut ditches; clear creeks and channels; clear slides from roadways; serve as crew leader of a small crew in conjunction with heavy equipment operation or while performing a variety of other construction and maintenance activities; perform a variety of road, bridge, and drainage construction and maintenance activities; may operate equipment transports to move heavy equipment or other large objects.

 Tasks performed in crew leader assignments: Act as crew leader of a small crew or a crew of inmate laborers on a continuing basis; direct workers performing a variety of road and bridge maintenance activities in the Special Section of the Roads Division and participate in the work being performed by the crew; may coordinate litter control activities for several inmate labor crews, plan weekly litter control routes for inmate crews, record locations of illegal dumps and examine contents of dumps for signs of ownership, arrange for clean-up of illegal dumps by the dump owner or by an inmate labor crew, and participate in litter control activities; may direct the work of a large crew performing routine maintenance activities or direct the completion of an assigned project; may perform a variety of road, bridge, and drainage maintenance activities; operate heavy equipment on a relief basis.

Tasks performed in tree trimmer assignment: Perform specialized duties associated with tree trimming and tree removal, including limbing, topping, felling and heavy tree removal using an aerial lift truck, hydraulic powered tools and gas powered chain saws; manually climb and remove trees using traditional tree removal techniques involving ropes, saddles and tree gaffs; plan, coordinate and direct the activities of lower level Public Works Maintenance Workers assigned to the tree trimming crew; train employees assigned to the tree trimming crew in safe and accepted tree trimming practices; operate an aerial lift truck and chipper trailer and train employees assigned to the tree trimming crew in the operation of this equipment; direct and participate in tree debris clean-up and removal; prepare reports and other required documentation of activities; may perform a variety of road, bridge, and drainage maintenance activities; operate heavy equipment on a relief basis.

 Tasks performed in street sign assignment: Construct, erect and maintain street and traffic control signs on all County-maintained roads; receive work orders requesting signs; receive and respond to complaints from the public related to missing signs; select appropriate aluminum blanks and lay out pre-cut letters; hand cut letters for special signs; use heat treatment equipment to bond letters to blanks; refer to traffic manual to determine specifications for construction and proper placement of signs on roadways and at railroad crossings; group signs by area and install or direct their installation; patrol roads to determine the location of missing or damaged signs; maintain records of placement of stop signs and street signs; maintain inventory of aluminum blanks and other materials used in making signs; prepare an annual estimate of materials needed; may perform a variety of road, bridge, and drainage maintenance activities; operate heavy equipment on a relief basis.

Knowledge of:

All assignments:

Working knowledge of:

• Safe road construction practices.
• The operation and routine maintenance of trucks and light road construction equipment.
• The proper use of hand and power tools commonly used in public works maintenance work.

Some knowledge of:

• The basic principles of supervision and training.

Additional knowledge required of road and drainage assignments:

Working knowledge of:

• The safe operation of complex heavy road construction equipment.
• Basic methods and materials used in road, bridge or drainage maintenance work.

 Additional knowledge required of tree trimmer assignment:

Working knowledge of:

• Safe and accepted techniques for limbing, topping, felling and heavy tree removal.
• The method of operation of aerial lift trucks.
• Aerial rescue techniques.
• Safe climbing practices, including the proper use of ropes, saddles and tree gaffs.
• The use of hydraulic tools and gas powered chain saws.

Additional knowledge required of street sign assignment:

Working knowledge of:

• Standard traffic signs and of County procedures related to the use and location of standard traffic signs.

Ability to:

All assignments:

• Work while standing for up to eight hours per day.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Use and operate tools and equipment efficiently and safely.
• Skillfully operate complex heavy equipment used in road construction work.
• Effectively direct the work of a small crew engaged in a variety of public works maintenance activities.
• Train Public Works Maintenance Workers I and II in the operation of equipment and the performance of specialized maintenance activities.
• Prepare written and oral reports related to the activities performed by assigned crew.
• Work cooperatively with others as part of a crew.
• Lift items weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Perform tasks requiring strength, such as shoveling, lifting equipment and materials into trucks, climbing over rough terrain, and using chain saws and pole saws.
• Drive vehicles, such as pick-up trucks, two-axle dump trucks and flatbed trucks.
• Learn to operate heavy equipment, such as motor graders, hydraulic excavators and cranes.
• Distinguish colors, such as color-coded underground service alert markings and color-coded traffic signs.
• Put on, wear and use a respirator and other required safety gear, such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses and ear protection.
• Hear and distinguish various sounds, such as voices of workers in noisy environments and sounds of operating equipment.

Additional abilities required for tree trimmer assignment:

• Skillfully operate complex equipment, including aerial lift trucks.
• Safely perform aerial rescue techniques.

Additional abilities required for street sign assignment:

• Read, understand and apply rules and specifications relating to the construction and placement of traffic control and street signs.
• Accurately gauge size, shape, form and proper visual effect of letters, symbols and sign stock when constructing signs.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

General Assignments: One year of experience performing duties comparable to those of a Public Works Maintenance Worker II in the County of Santa Cruz.

Specialized Assignments: Two years of experience performing duties in the area of the specialization, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities.

Special Requirements, Conditions:

License, Certificate Requirements:

Tree Trimmer Assignment: Possession of a valid California class C driver license; within six months from hire, possession of a valid California class A driver license including Tank Endorsement; and Certification as a Qualified Line Clearance Tree Trimmer as approved by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

All Other Assignments: Possession of a valid California class B driver license; and within six months from hire, possession of a valid California class A driver license with Tank Endorsement.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: Variable temperatures and weather conditions; cramped work spaces; heights, such as on equipment, on cliffs or in the bucket of a bucket truck; high levels of noise; strong, unpleasant odors; vibration; dust and silica dust; potentially hostile or violent individuals; electrical hazards; allergens, such as poison oak and stinging insects; the possibility of experiencing burns, bodily injury, and contact with toxic substances and chemical irritants; working alone in isolated areas; and, for some assigned tasks, possible exposure to needles or blood which could possibly result in chronic disease or death.

 Other Special Requirements: 

• Alcohol and drug tests will be administered to all candidates prior to final selection for positions requiring class A or B driver licenses upon entry and to employees in positions requiring these licenses, as mandated by Department of Transportation federal regulations. In addition, all candidates must provide specific employment history for up to the past ten years for all jobs they have held which required operation of a commercial motor vehicle. 
• Availability to work irregular hours, including responding to twenty-four hour emergency call.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None
Bargaining Unit: General Representation (44)
EEOC Job Category: 07
Occupational Grouping: 41
Workers' Comp Code: 0399
Revised Dates: 6/93; 9/94; 5/95; 10/11