Purpose of the Job

The purpose of this position is as a Trainee under close supervision in a training capacity to learn the operation of various types of mechanical equipment, inspection and maintenance of equipment, crack filling, crack patching, drainage maintenance, snow plowing and other associated duties to competently work in the Public Works field and to successfully obtain a Commercial Drivers License.
Operator Trainees in the Public Works Apprenticeship Program will be offered training and job experiences to gain technical skills necessary to obtain Commercial Drivers Licenses and to acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities to competently work in the in the Public Works field. Operator Trainees normally work in a training capacity supervised by a Road Maintenance & Landfill Equipment Operator Senior or Public Works staff. Work methods and results are under constant review by supervisory personnel through observation, discussion, written and proficiency testing and results achieved.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position does not supervise other employees. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TIME SPENT

• Trains to operate a variety of construction/maintenance type equipment in the light to heavy class for road care and construction such as dozers, graders, back hoes, snow plows, etc. Trains in the inspection and maintenance of construction/maintenance equipment.
• Trains to operate a variety of landfill equipment in the light and heavy class to provide compaction and earthen cover to landfill operations such as shredders, compactors and scrappers.

30%

• Trains to assist with road construction and maintenance activities including patching roadways and filling holes in roads, sealing cracks in pavement, chip sealing and paving. Trains in the replacement and repair of culverts, cattle guards and other roadway appurtenances. Trains to perform traffic control duties including placing signs, cones, barricades and flagging traffic.
• Trains to understand the essentials of landfill operation and how to process various materials that are processed at landfill.

20%

• Trains to operate wood chipper, crack seal machine, powered hand tools, jackhammers, compressors, concrete mixers, chain saws, weed eaters, and pressure washers used in the maintenance and construction of roads and operation of landfills.

20%

• Receives training and studies Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) courses and requirements of Arizona Class "B" Commercial Driver's License written test and driving test in order to successfully obtain a Commercial Driver's License. Receives and completes Blue Stake training. Receives training in keeping records and preparing reports.

20%

• May assist in performing emergency road services in relation to snow removal, flood damage repair, rockslides and fires.

10%

• Performs other duties as assigned.

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES This position has no responsibility over any types of budget. PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES This position does not have project responsibilities. ORAL COMMUNICATION DUTIES This position participates in group discussions for training purposes. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION DUTIES This position creates or edits documents, internal memos, emails and work logs. INTERACTIONS WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC Interacts regularly with internal coworkers and other departmental personnel over the telephone, by email, and/or in person. Incidental contact with the public may occur as part of the work location.
INTERACTIONS SPECIFICALLY WITH CUSTOMERS Sometimes (More than 10% but less than 25% in a year)

Minimum Education/Directly Related Experience Required

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED

High School Diploma or GED.

MINIMUM YEARS OF DIRECTLY RELATED EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

One (1) year of related experience; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS REQUIRED

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License; must be at least 18 years of age at time of hire.

Verification of applicant's clean driving record will be obtained by Gila County prior to employment.

Supplemental Information

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

Safe driving practices and some knowledge of the care and operation of hand and power tools.

SKILLS REQUIRED

Communicating diplomatically; receiving training; problem recognition; problem solving; time management; routine maintenance and multi-tasking.

ABILITIES REQUIRED

Memorize and recall; find directions and current locations; focus; follow orders; follow verbal and written instructions, including manufacturer's service specifications; read and write at minimum High School level; prepare and maintain records and reports; multi-task; ability to learn; use hand and power tools; maintain calm demeanor in stressful situations; speak clearly and sensibly. Perform moderately heavy manual labor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Routinely stands to perform public safety duties; regularly stands to attend to customers, to perform custodian work, to direct traffic and to attend to reported incidents.

• Regularly sits to complete report, routinely sits to operate special equipment.
• May be required to lift work related materials, debris, plant matters, equipment, tools of over 75 lbs.
• Regularly requires dexterity for special gadgets and special machines.
• Incumbents in this position may be required to walk to and from work sites, bend, stoop, crawl, kneel and twist.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Incumbents in this position perform work at external construction areas and outside environments: new and maintained County roads, easements, water ways and County landfills; may spend time in tight spaces to complete tasks.

SAFETY RISK EXPOSURE

Incumbents in this position may become exposed to individuals with high level of emotional distress, physical danger, mechanical hazards, chemical hazards, electrical hazards, bloodborne pathogens, communicable diseases, fire hazards, respiratory hazards, extreme temperature, noise and vibration, wetness and humidity.

PROTECTIVE GEAR & SAFETY MANUALS

Incumbents in this position are required to constantly follow written safety procedures and manuals relevant to the division or department. Regularly requires industrial strength gloves; safety footwear; hearing protection devices; eye protection devices and hard hat.

CONSEQUENCES OF ERROR

Potential errors can cause inconveniences to other employees, and/or delays in related work areas. Delays of services are possible.

SPECIFIC EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

Upon successfully obtaining a Arizona Class "B" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and passing Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Road Scholar 1 and 2, as well as passing the Gila County Public Works Equipment Operation Test for two different types of heavy equipment , and subject to departmental approval, an Operator Trainee may be promoted to the Road Maintenance and Landfill Equipment Operator classification.

Except under special circumstances, an Operator Trainee who fails to successfully complete the required certifications and testing will be terminated from the Operator Trainee classification. The trainee period is not to exceed 18 months.

Gila County will pay any costs associated with obtaining the required certifications and licenses.
The Operator Trainee will be required to sign an employment commitment letter to work 2 years after successful completion of the Apprenticeship Program.