EQUIPMENT OPERATOR III

NEWTON COUNTY, GEORGIA
Classification Specification

EQUIPMENT OPERATOR III (4214)
FLSA: Non-Exempt

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to drive and operate heavy trucks, tractors, and other equipment to complete
tasks associated with roads projects or sanitation activities as assigned. Incumbents in this classification operate
equipment with mechanisms requiring the highest degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse and where work is performed
to exacting tolerances.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude
them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties
may be required and assigned.

Maneuvers heavy equipment and operates complex mechanisms involving digging, moving earth and materials,
grading, loading, and performing similar tasks in order to advance projects relating to construction and maintenance
of County roadways, rights-of-way, sidewalks, storm drainage systems, and other infrastructure: equipment is
primarily driven and operated on-site, but does require some driving over public roads; maneuvers in and around
traffic, crew workers, equipment, utilities, and other obstacles; obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines; and
monitors immediate environment and work area to ensure the safety of operator, other workers, the equipment,
and the public.

Operates excavator, track hoe, and backhoe to perform skilled digging and trenching for maintenance, repair, and
construction infrastructure projects where exacting tolerances and specifications are required: controls placement
of equipment; and determines optimum approach to each digging scenario in order to minimize destruction of
property and avoid electric, water, sewer, and other public utility lines.

Operates a track or rubber-tired loader with large volume and weight capacities to load materials into trucks or move
them over short distances: positions equipment and controls height, angle, and position of scoop for optimum
delivery of payload; and controls amount and weight of materials being lifted to avoid exceeding equipment capacity.

Operates motor-grader, scraper, and excavator with blade attachment to set gradients for construction and
maintenance projects such as roads, landscaping, embankments, and other projects requiring exacting specifications
related to slope, angle, and pitch: determines appropriate settings and adjusts blades for height, angle, and pitch to
achieve desired outcome; and maneuvers equipment and operates mechanisms to skillfully set gradient, smooth

Newton County, Georgia Equipment Operator III

surfaces, and spread materials.

Operates bulldozer, scraper, and compactor to move earth, gravel, sand, and other materials for large construction
and maintenance projects and landfill operations: operates mechanisms to establish rough grades or to smooth and
compact surfaces in preparation for pavement, construction, or other work.

Drives large tractor-trailer rigs and low boys to move construction equipment to and from job sites: positions vehicle
to allow for the most efficient and effective loading or unloading of equipment and materials; and secures all doors,
gates, and fasteners to prevent spillage or loss of load.

Inspects and prepares equipment for safe and proper operation prior to beginning work for the day: performs light
maintenance on equipment, which includes refueling and refilling lubricants; cleans vehicle bed upon completion of
assignments; notifies supervisor of need maintenance or repairs; and secures vehicle after use.

Performs manual labor in support of assigned projects: collects, lifts, moves, loads, transports and unloads materials,
equipment, tools, and supplies to and from worksite; digs ditches, trenches, and holes manually or utilizing power
equipment; shovels, rakes, spreads, compacts, and levels dirt, rock, asphalt, cement, and other materials; removes
trees; buries deceased animals; and removes litter, debris, and deceased animals from roadways and other County
property.

Follows established safety procedures: utilizes safety equipment and wears protective gear: monitors work
environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; monitors traffic conditions surrounding trucks and
equipment to identify obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic conditions; flags and directs traffic and places
markers, signs and cones around project and work site to ensure safety of crew and the traveling public; and reports
any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.

Communicates with supervisor, other County employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate
work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED required; supplemented by three years of experience in operating light to heavy
equipment; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite
knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia Class B Commercial Driver’s
License (CDL-B), including appropriate endorsements, or must obtain within twelve months of employment.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential
functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all County or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary
to function effectively in the position.

Newton County, Georgia Equipment Operator III

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to compile, assemble, copy, record and/or transcribe data according to a
prescribed schema or plan. Includes judging whether readily observable functional, structural or compositional
characteristics are similar to or divergent from prescribed standards, procedures or routines.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to exchange information for the purpose of clarifying details within well-
established policies, procedures and standards.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate and control the actions of
equipment and machinery, requiring the monitoring, adjustment, regulation, and/or setting of multiple conditions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. May
include counting, recording of counts, and basic measuring.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form.
Involves semi-routine standardized work with some latitude for independent judgment concerning choices of action.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving
evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability: Tasks require the regular and sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work,
typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and
that generally involves lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50
pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds,
taste, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental
conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes,
hazardous materials, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, or
rude/irate customers.

Emergency Position: This position requires your attendance at work under all types of emergency conditions. Some
examples of emergencies include inclement weather, utility failure, fire or other forced evacuations or as determined
by the manager.

Newton 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.