Job Summary
To safely operate trucks, motor graders, heavy equipment, tractors and other specialized equipment to maintain highways and public drainage ditches.  To maintain roadside signs in compliance with local, state, and federal signing standards to facilitate the safe travel of the motoring public. 

Supervision Received 
Employees working in this job class work under general supervision and usually receive some instruction with respect to details of most assignments, but are free to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods, and policies. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and are only subject to periodic supervisory checks.  

Supervision Exercised
No formal supervisory authority.  

Essential Functions 
This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other essential and nonessential functions as assigned or apparent to meet the ongoing needs of the department and organization. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential requirements of this position.

1.    Performs road maintenance and repair duties during all seasons of the year in such a manner that roads are safe for travel. This includes improving roadways in an effort to reduce the frequency and severity of traffic crashes for public safety. Such tasks include but are not limited to:  repairing and replacing culverts, assisting on construction projects, crack sealing, patching and filling potholes in pavement, excavating and backfilling frost boils, placing gravel on roads, repairing guard rails, installing and replacing traffic and work zone signs, clearing brush, trees, and mowing right-of-way, picking up and removing rocks, debris, and hazardous materials from roadways, assisting in emergencies and natural disasters, operating chain saws and other power tools, and steaming culverts. Performs surveillance activities as to the safety of roads in assigned district and to aid in the identification of needed maintenance and repair work. Communicates regularly with supervisors concerning workflow, productivity, and achievement of performance objectives. 
2.    Is readily available on a 24-hour emergency call-out basis for storms or emergency operations.
3.    Operates heavy equipment (including programing and proficiently using high-tech onboard computers, devices, and software), such as, motor graders, front-end loaders, excavators, tractors, dozers, tandem and single axel dump trucks, belly dump trucks, while performing tasks such as, plowing, loading and hauling snow, spreading sand, salt, and road chemicals, and scraping ice from road and parking lots. Maintains gravel road surfaces by blading, spreading gravel, and cutting and shaping road shoulders, including independently deciding where to place the gravel and how much. Hauls gravel, fill, waste, and other road materials and supplies. Re-grades and reshapes road surfaces, slopes and ditches. Mixes salt, sand, and road chemicals and when plowing decides how much to put on the roadways and in what locations for traffic safety. Loads and stockpiles culverts and other materials. Mows, clears brush, trees, rock debris and other hazardous materials from highway rights-of-way. Tows semi and tag trailers while hauling construction materials and equipment. Cleans beaver dams from road drainage systems and public drainage systems. Plow routes are normally pre-established, but if short-staffed, operator may be required to independently determine and reprioritize the plow route so that all routes are covered and the highest traffic roads are plowed first. 
4.    Performs daily safety checks on trucks and equipment and record results.
5.    Services trucks, tractors, motor graders, other road maintenance equipment, pickups and autos. Changes oil, filters, grease, washes and rotates tires. Performs repairs on trucks and equipment including changing cutting edges, welding, repairing hydraulic lines, replacing hydraulic pumps, hoses, motors, mounting and dismounting seasonal equipment. Diagnosis basic equipment failures or prints codes from onboard computers so Mechanics can bring the right parts to the site. Operates autos, pickups, and all classes of trucks, picking up and delivering supplies and tools to job site and while monitoring road conditions.
6.    Place temporary highway work zone signage in compliance with industry standards.  Performs flag person duties, being alert to co-workers, work zone activities, opposing road traffic, and work vehicles, while manually directing vehicle traffic to ensure the safety of the work crew.
7.    Works in groups or individually while being respectful and professional to co-workers and the public at all times while promoting a positive work environment and professional county image. Responds to basic public inquiries or refers individual to supervisors for more information. 
8.    Perform signage duties including but not limited to determination of signing requirements in accordance with local, state and federal signing standards.  Maintain an accurate computerized GPS inventory of signs in use and in inventory.  Initiates Gopher State One-Call utility locates for placement of signs.  This is a special assignment within the Equipment Operator job classification. Posts road restrictions as assigned.
9.    Assists with equipment and building repairs as assigned, including but not limited to performing mechanical repairs and routine maintenance on light and heavy equipment such as pickup trucks, dump trucks, motor graders, front-end loaders, backhoes, dozers, tractors, and mowers, performing building maintenance on the office and shops, and delivering parts to various locations.
10.    Monitors and reports fuel tank levels at shops as assigned and oil used. Maintains accurate shop inventory and orders supplies from Mechanic as needed. 
11.    Monitors erosion control in gravel pits for slough off into drainage systems, on roads, culverts, ditches, and slopes for erosion or flood damage. Performs bank stabilization and installs erosion control blankets and seeding. 
12.    Notifies supervisors of new areas deemed likely prospects for gravel, which may result in cost savings when gravel can be crushed closer to the project. 
13.    Attends training and meetings as needed.

•    Performs other related duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications 
High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required, plus four* (4) years experience operating heavy equipment/trucks. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience operating motor graders, backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, bobcats, and front-end loaders. Class A CDL required at time of hire. 

*A certificate of training in heavy equipment from a technical school may be substituted for two (2) years of experience required. 

Employees are not required to be a resident of Aitkin County as a condition of employment. However, within 6 months of the date of hire, the incumbent must meet the following reasonable response time residency requirement: Must be able to report to the assigned shop location within 60 minutes of call-out. This is a job-related necessity for public transportation/safety purposes.

A Class A commercial driver’s license is required to perform the essential functions of this position. A Tanker endorsement may be required after hire, upon request of the supervisor. 

Employment reference checks, a criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug test will be performed as part of the pre-employment process.

This position is subject to drug and alcohol testing pursuant to the federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act which requires that all employees whose job duties include operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and who are required to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) shall be subject to testing. 

Must be willing to work flexible hours, weekends, and holidays as needed for snowplowing and emergency road maintenance or repairs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

Knowledge of:  
1.    County and departmental policies, procedures, and practices to safely and effectively accomplish the needs of the department.
2.    Maintenance of paved and gravel-surfaced roads.
3.    Surface repair methods for cracks, potholes, and frost boils
4.    The capabilities and limitations of heavy equipment, trucks and tools.
5.    The mixing and application of road chemicals.
6.    Materials safety data (MSDS) information and the necessary precautions for material handling.
7.    Safety procedures and rules.
8.    Safe and proper disposal of hazardous materials used in shop and found on highway rights of way.
9.    Proper placement of signage and pavement markings in accordance with local, state, and federal standards.
10.    Utility locate requirements and procedures.
11.    The repair and maintenance of heavy equipment and trucks.
12.    Materials, methods, and techniques commonly used in the maintenance of road signs and  pavement markings.
13.    Practices, methods, tools, and materials used in the maintenance and repair of     automotive and heavy equipment.
14.    The operating principles of gasoline and diesel engines and of mechanical components of automotive and heavy equipment.

Skills in:
1.    Teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with co-workers and the general public sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
2.    Verbal and written communication.
3.    The safe and efficient operation of heavy equipment and trucks.
4.    The repair and maintenance of heavy equipment and trucks.
5.    The use of hand and power tools.
6.    Installing, and maintaining road signs as assigned.

Ability to:
1.    Safely operate equipment in hazardous conditions in the presence of high speed traffic.
2.    Identify dangerous road conditions.
3.    Present a positive attitude in the workplace, promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation, and be able to treat co-workers, supervisor, and subordinates with respect, honesty, and consideration. 
4.    Follow oral and written directions.
5.    Exercise judgment, initiative and discretion in developing work methods and operating procedures in order to implement departmental activities, policies and safety requirements.
6.    Establish and maintain effective and supportive public relations to inquiring individuals and organizations.    
7.    Maintain a high degree of self-motivation and the ability to work independently.
8.    Determine proper placement of signs in accordance with local, state, and federal standards.
9.    Operate computers and maintain accurate sign and culvert inventories as assigned.

Language Skills 
Intermediate Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  

Mathematical Skills 
Basic Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Skills 
Intermediate Skills – Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills  
To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient at using the following software.  
                                 
Onboard computers and smart blades technology, Bluetooth wireless technology, Microsoft Excel and Outlook, ArcInfo GPS software, County Payroll Software, email, and Internet. 

Ability to Travel
Daily travel to various jobsites required.

Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should consistently demonstrate the following competencies (definitions attached or available upon request):

Ethics, attendance/punctuality, safety and security, dependability, design, problem solving, technical skills, customer service, interpersonal skills, oral communication, written communication, teamwork,  leadership, quality management, cost consciousness, diversity, organizational support, judgment, motivation, planning/organizing, professionalism, quality, quantity, adaptability, initiative, and innovation.

Work Environment 
The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud to extremely loud. Required to work irregular hours during inclement weather conditions, including cold, hot, and wet weather.  Subject to dust, fuel vapors, asphalt vapors, solvent vapors, and lubricating oil and grease. Must perform road maintenance duties on wet and slippery roads that are hazardous to drive on. Must perform equipment maintenance duties in dirty, greasy, and hazardous conditions. Work will be dirty and hazardous at times. Subjected to chemicals, highway traffic, construction equipment operations, excessive noise, overhead and underground utility services, cuts, shock hazard, burns, and possible injury from power tools and vibrations from machinery.

Equipment and Tools
Computer, copier, fax, telephone, printer, calculator, power tools, hand tools, measuring and metering devices, road signage and supplies, welders, backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, motor graders, bobcats, front-end loaders, dump trucks, and county-owned vehicles.

Physical Activities/Requirements
Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, use of fingers, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions are daily requirements of this position.  Must have the ability to lift and/or carry up to 70 pounds.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee performs very heavy work, exerting in excess of 70 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Working safely is a condition of employment. Aitkin County is a drug-free workplace.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Aitkin County reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice
The County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

8/24/2021
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Our Vision: We strive to be a county of safe, vibrant communities that place value on good stewardship of local resources.
Our Mission: Aitkin County’s mission is to provide outstanding service in a fiscally responsible manner through innovation and collaboration with respect for all.
Our Core Values: Collaboration, Innovation, Integrity, People-Focused, Professionalism