MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Code No. 5111
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND Grade 16
CLASS SPECIFICATION

EQUIPMENT OPERATOR III

DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is the highest level of skilled equipment operation work involving either a gasoline/diesel powered truck tractor with trailer or semi-trailer, or the most complex highway construction/maintenance equipment. Contacts are generally limited to the crew to which the position is assigned, receiving and providing instructions and information. This class of work may entail some public service/assistance, but it is incidental to the primary focus of the work performed. An employee in this class is responsible for operating either vehicles or wheeled/crawler type traction construction and maintenance equipment, following CDL-mandated checks and procedures, performing driver/operator preventive maintenance tasks, and performing manual labor tasks at job sites when not operating assigned equipment. Work is normally performed according to specific instructions, in that the employee is required to follow the instructions of a supervisor, dispatcher or trip ticket; specific information such as piece of equipment to operate, job site and work to be done is provided. The employee is expected to exercise judgment regarding how best to operate assigned vehicle/equipment based on task at hand, and may give directions instructions to support employees. The complexity of this class is characterized by the special need to determine the limits of excavation or adjust operations in accordance with buried or overhead utilities plus the regular need to obtain hauling permits, maintain interstate travel logs, determine local routing for tractor-trailering of over-weight and over-size equipment and other tasks typically residing in this class. Light physical effort is continuously used in reaching, bending, turning and otherwise positioning self to ensure good vision of work objects and in using hands, arms, feet and legs in concert to operate hand and foot controls. Moderate physical effort is regularly required to rig and secure cargo and equipment using heavy chains, bars, hooks, etc. and perform manual labor tasks on vehicle and as part of a dismounted work crew. On occasion, heavy physical effort is required. The operator works mounted inside vehicle cabs and atop open vehicles and dismounted, and is regularly exposed to severe weather, adverse road/driving conditions, grease, dirt, asphalt and other bituminous products, noxious or malodorous fumes, high levels of dust and similar unpleasantness and discomforts as well as risks from moving vehicles and machinery and other traffic and construction hazards. Regular use of safety equipment is essential; special safety precautions safeguard the worker and others.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Operates and performs federally-mandated, manufacturer-recommended and other driver-level general inspections and preventive maintenance tasks on one or more of the following pieces of equipment: tractor trailer with Demo trailer and Low Boy attachments; 3-5 cubic yard track-driven backhoe excavator; G-3 and 4100 series Gradalls; track-driven D-3 and higher rental dozers or equivalent; 10,000 gallon fuel trucks; 45,000-65,000 GVW tandem wheeled dump trucks; 50,000-70,000 GVW tri-axle dump trucks; 47,000 GVW 4x4 dump trucks; 26,000-35,000 GVW dump trucks; 55,000 GVW log truck with crane; 45,000 GVW asphalt distributor; 45,000 GVW asphalt pothole patch truck; catch basin cleaner-flusher truck; asphalt distributor (towed); 1½ to 3 cubic yard front end loaders; 3-5 cubic yard front end loaders; 1½-2 cubic yard backhoe; 6-10 ton steel wheeled roller; 4-6 ton vibratory and non-vibratory rollers; skid loaders with attachments (including but not limited to the backhoe, sweeper and paving profiler); pavement saw, tractor mowers, box pavers; full-size asphalt paver; wood chippers; Motor Grader G-12 or 120H series; aerial bucket truck; and other types/makes of equipment.
Mechanically and manually loads, secures and unloads cargo and equipment, complying with federal motor carrier and state requirements.
Instructs less skilled employees in the legal, effective and safe operation of vehicles/equipment.
Participates in snow removal and leafing operations on a seasonal basis and unskilled and semi-skilled manual labor work as an integral member of a crew; this includes use of chain saws, plate tampers, concrete-finishing tools, etc.
May temporarily supervise other employees in absence of supervisor.
May perform small engine repair and maintenance and other tasks, as assigned
Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: One (1) year of experience operating equipment equivalent to that listed in the Equipment Operator II class specification.
Education: Ability to read and write and carry out oral and written instructions.
Equivalency: None.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of and skill in effectively and safely operating and performing operator-level general inspections and preventive maintenance tasks on the vehicles/equipment assigned. This includes full performance level knowledge of the height, width, length, weight, capacities and capabilities of the full range of assigned vehicles/equipment in order to skillfully judge overhead and side clearances, turning radius, braking distance, etc. and of applicable Motor Vehicle Administration and highway regulations for safe, legal operation of the vehicles/equipment used.
Knowledge of and skill in using power take-off to safely transfer power to the various working aspects of the equipment's components and to ably use the levers, buttons and pedals to smoothly control them.
Knowledge of and skill in legally, effectively and safely loading, securing and transporting cargo to prevent shifting/departing.
Knowledge of and skill in legally, effectively and safely rigging vehicles, loads and products for towing.
Ability to understand and effectively carry out oral and written instructions.
Ability and willingness to perform work for prolonged periods in severe weather and under adverse road conditions.

LICENSE:
Possession of a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class A, with endorsements, in accordance with Maryland State CDL requirements, or possession of same within six months of appointment/promotion to the position.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
The probationary period must be 6 months for a full-time or part-time employee appointed to a merit system position, and 6 months for a promoted employee, during which time performance will be carefully evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period.

MEDICAL PROTOCOL:
Core Exam II

Class Established: January, 1974
Revised: December, 1984
May, 1991 (M)
December, 2000 (M)
September 2009