Lead Equipment Operator - Blades

Full Job Description

Lead Equipment Operator – Rural Blades

The Department of Public Works is looking for a dedicated individual to join our Urban Blades Crew as a Lead Equipment Operator - Blades.

Be prepared to roll up your sleeves alongside your team, demonstrating hands on leadership, and turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

The ideal candidate values both understanding and action, adheres to instructions meticulously, following both verbal and written instructions with precision and maintains regular and punctual attendance; punctuality is not just a virtue but a commitment.

Additionally, the candidate for this position will have a strong emphasis on safety, ensuring the well-being of all, and understand that unity drives success by being a true team player.

Essentially, a thorough understanding of highway construction, maintenance, and repair techniques is pivotal to excelling in this leadership opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Coordination: Lead and support the daily activities of Rural Blades crew, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality work.

• Heavy Equipment Operation: Operates motor graders in the daily maintenance and graveling operations of County roads in the assigned area of responsibility.

Operates various types of road construction vehicles, including soil stabilization equipment and medium to heavy trucks, such as tandem dump trucks, patch trucks, cranes, excavators, bulldozers, roadside mowers, rollers, etc.

in the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges.

• Safety Compliance: Maintain strict adherence to safety practices, conduct regular inspections, and reinforce safe work habits across all crew activities.

• Training and Mentoring: Provide guidance and training to crew members on equipment operation, safety, and job expectations to support professional growth.

• Equipment Maintenance: Oversee preventive maintenance and safety checks for all assigned equipment to ensure readiness and reliability.

• Problem Solving: Respond to operational or personnel issues quickly and effectively to keep work moving and minimize downtime.

If you're ready to lead high-performance crews, support critical roadway operations, and contribute to safe and reliable service for the community, we encourage you to apply.

Serves as Team Leader by providing direction, training, and oversight to crew(s). Will be required to fill in for higher level supervisors as needed. Operates grader, medium to heavy trucks, and equipment and performs various duties in the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.

Requirements

Oversees crew(s) in a variety of road and bridge maintenance and construction duties.

May be assigned to one or more crews including asphalt, general maintenance, truck string, drainage and traffic and signs.

Provides direction, training, and mentoring to crew members; resolves complex problems and issues. Provides input and support to the leadership regarding applicable performance evaluations.

Operates motor graders in the daily maintenance and graveling operations of County roads in the assigned area of responsibility.

Operates various types of road construction vehicles, including soil stabilization equipment and medium to heavy trucks, such as tandem dump trucks, patch trucks, cranes, excavators, bulldozers, roadside mowers, rollers, etc.

in the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges.

Performs manual labor using various hand tools and equipment such as shovels, jackhammers, power saws, drills, etc. Lifts and carries equipment around job site with connected air hoses. Installs and removes snow plow and harnesses. Lifts and carries grader, bulldozer, or loader blades.

Performs routine maintenance and minor mechanical repair on equipment, including lubing and greasing as necessary.

Completes and maintains daily logs and pay cards regarding activities performed and materials used. Observes and ensures safety procedures are followed.

Paints and sandblasts structures. Installs guardrails, fences, snow fences, culverts and pipes. Lifts and carries bridge timbers and guardrails with assistance.

Patches asphalt using crack sealing equipment and performs asphaltic concrete patching on paved roads. Carries asphalt or cement chunks to and from sites and vehicles. Operates self-propelled hand rollers. Performs flagging duties.

Operates equipment and vehicles on public roadways in compliance with laws and ordinances.

Performs supervisory duties in absence of Highway Supervisor as needed.

Responds to on-call after hours emergencies, such as snow removal flood repair, tornado clean-up, or other natural disasters, or safety need for the motoring public.

Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised: This classification requires functioning as a lead worker performing essentially the same job duties as those directed and includes overseeing work quality, training, instruction, and scheduling work. May include providing input on hiring/disciplinary action and work objectives/ effectiveness, performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Periodic direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Must successfully pass the motor grader practical test and have the ability to operate a motor grader.
• Knowledge of road and bridge construction, maintenance techniques and procedures required.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).Proficient in using a computer and various software programs including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations for practical working situations.
• Must observe and follow safety procedures and precautions.
• Ability to lead and train others; ability to objectively assess the performance of others.
• Ability to communicate and establish effective working relationships with County staff and the public. Ability to provide excellent customer service. 
• Ability to work with limited supervision in assigned area of responsibility.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions and interpret diagrams, blue prints and specifications.
• Ability to complete Individualized Development Plan (IDP).
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• Five years of experience in the operation and maintenance of graders.
• One year of leadership experience in a construction environment, including providing guidance and direction to other employees.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Class A Commercial Driver's License with Tanker (N) Endorsement and no air brake (L) restriction.
• Must obtain a Colorado Flagger Certificate within sixty days of employment.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, drug screen, and physical examination.

Additional Information

Duties are performed outdoors and requires lifting, bending, and climbing, at times in hazardous situations such as operating construction vehicles in adverse weather and close proximity to moving vehicles and traffic. Works with potentially dangerous equipment and tools; may work with hazardous materials, including fuels, paints, asphalts, herbicides, and pesticides. Must be able to safely lift and carry 40 pounds from the waist to the shoulders, lift 30 pounds from the floor to the head, push 80 pounds, and pull 100 pounds horizontally. Subject to emergency off hours call-out. Subject to drug and alcohol testing.

The classification specification above is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities and minimum qualifications; specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and environmental conditions will vary depending on the needs of the department/office and the particular assignment. Changes to this document may only be made by a member of the Human Resources Department.