Heavy Equipment Operator

• Operates multi excavation earthmoving equipment to preserve and maintain ditches, canals, and levee systems.  Such equipment includes dragline, excavator, backhoe, grader, dozer, front-end loader, dump truck, and knuckle boom. Specializes in installation, removal, and repair of District infrastructure, including weirs, culverts, water control structures, boat ramps, locks and bridges on District waterways, canals, and levees.  Inspects equipment for safety issues daily as well as the condition of the work site prior to setting up equipment. Ensures adherence to safe work practices and procedures. Reads and understands signs, signals, load charts, grade stakes, excavation plans, load charts for dredging operations, operating manuals and service procedures.  Loads, hauls, and dumps material operating a 15–25-yard dump truck, trailer and transport equipment and machinery on semi-trailer to and from job site and its loading and off-loading.  Measures and verify levels of rock or gravel bases and other excavated material. 
• This position may be required to participate in the Pumping Operations Program as either a pump station assistant or pump station operator.

• High School Diploma or GED and 2+ years' experience operating and transporting multiple pieces of heavy equipment including excavation and earthmoving equipment, aquatic harvesters, large farm tractors, dump truck with knuckle boom, and lower unit dragline.  Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
  
  The hiring range for this position is $48,609.60 to $57,241.60 (based on education and years of relevant work experience).

• Valid State of Florida Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with airbrake and tanker endorsements is required. If selected candidate does not currently possess CDL, District will provide 3 months from date of hire to obtain CDL.  District willing to pay cost of CDL training program.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification Rigging (one time certification), Forklift Operations (re-evaluation every year), First Aid and CPR/ AED (recertification every two years).
• Ability to obtain pump station assistant status within 6 months from date of hire and/or placement in job and/or ability to obtain pump station operator status within 12 months from date of hire and/or placement in job.
   

• Due to the District's response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned emergency response role.  Regularly sets up, adjusts, controls, tests and operates equipment to complete assignments.  Work environment may be hot and humid with no facilities. Moves or otherwise transport equipment weighing up to 50 pounds or more.

• Entry level position as an apprentice/support position, tasked with performing various light to heavy manual labor tasks in support of canal/levee maintenance, structure maintenance, vegetation management, and pumping operations. Physical stamina and strength are important requirements, necessary to perform required activities. Overtime will be required based on weather and/or environmental conditions. Due to the District's response role before, during, and after major storm events and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may be, at times, required to provide work support before, during, and after major storm events, such as hurricanes, or other declared emergencies.  Basic water skills and ability to swim, ability to learn and follow instructions, perform general maintenance (e.g., landscape maintenance and janitorial services), and minor equipment repair. (e.g., vehicle oil change & vehicle tire replacement).  Give and receive hand/hoist signals for loading and unloading equipment, speak loud enough to be heard around operating equipment and pumps to avoid dangerous situations, read safety signs and signals, read, and write numbers for taking hydrologic readings, and ability to read instrument panels and gauges for operating equipment.  Learn and apply pre-operational inspection and safe operating procedures. Acquire thorough understanding of equipment and tools operated and the capabilities and principles behind their operation, concept of the equipment dimensions and weight distribution. Learn and apply operating procedures for ground maintenance, cutting trees and heavy vegetation. Basic mathematics - add, subtract, multiply, divide, and measure in feet and inches, perform minor calculations as related to work area, and complete forms.
• Learn and assist in maintenance of canals, levees, structures, grounds, and buildings utilizing and operating various equipment applicable to program area.  Learn and assists work efforts by operating various light to heavy equipment.  Safely moves supplies, parts, batteries, ice coolers, building materials (fencing, posts, etc.), construction debris, bags of concrete, tires, toolboxes, chemicals, paperwork, mail, and other items from location to location in support of field operations.  Takes data readings, checks, and changes charts and records graphs. Provides light maintenance, lubrication of gears, cables, sheaves, stems, and other mechanical components.  Uses the following types of tools: Rakes, shovels, pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers, snips, power drills, hoes, trowels, grease guns, pry bars, post-hole diggers, sledgehammers, brooms, mops, vacuum cleaners, paint brushes, sprayers, string trimmers, chain saws, grinders, mower, sockets, ratchets, punches, steam cleaners, pressure cleaners, wash pumps.  Other Duties as Assigned

• Typically has High School Diploma or GED (Required) and 0 - 2 years’ experience In equipment operation, or manual and skilled labor work. (Required)

• Valid State of Florida Driver's License (Required)
• Forklift Operations Certification (Required)
• First Aid/CPR/AED (Required)
• Ability to obtain all licenses and certifications required to work within assigned program area. (Training or funding for required training to be provided by SFWMD). (Required)
• This position may be required to participate in the Pumping Operations Program as either a Pump Station Assistant (PSA) or a Pump Station Operator (PSO) (Required)

• Due to the District's response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned emergency response role.  Activities for this position will primarily take place outside, where environment may be hot and humid with no facilities as required by specified program. Required travel to and from job sites, and/or to pick-up and deliver parts, supplies, and equipment. Segmental vibration to the upper body may be caused by using some tools such as string trimmers, blowers, and chainsaws. Full body vibration from operating tractors and/or other heavy equipment. Members of work crew may be exposed to muck, mud, dust, and various forms of vegetation.  Exertion plus travel: Composition of office and field work (percentage dependent upon position requirements), with regular exposure to a hot and humid environment in remote and heavy vegetative areas.
• Extensive Exertion plus travel: Regularly sets up, adjusts, controls, tests and operates equipment to complete assignments. Work environment may be hot and humid with no facilities. Moves or otherwise transport equipment weighing up to 50 pounds or more.  Composition of office and field work (percentage dependent upon position requirements), with regular exposure to a hot and humid environment in remote and heavy vegetative areas.  Agility.  Balancing.  Climbing.  Confined areas.  Crawling.  Kneeling.  Lifting to 50 LBS.  Lifting, reaching overhead.  Move/transport equipment.  Pulling.  Pushing.  Reaching.  Squatting.  Stability.  Standing.  Stooping.  Walking, rough terrain.  Working in, on, or near water.  Working on heights.

HR_Solutions@sfwmd.gov