HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE OPERATORII in Portsmouth

Department: Department of Transportation

Division: Transportation

Salary: $61,650.00 - $71,077.00

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours: Monday thru Friday; 7:00 am - 3:30 pm with on call shifts.

Classification: Highway Maintenance Operator II

General Statement of Duties: Within the Department of Transportation (DOT), to perform skilled labor and the specialized operation of a variety of heavy construction and maintenance equipment used in the repair of highway pavements, shoulders, roadsides, and drainage, signage, and in the control of snow and ice; may be assigned a variety of skilled maintenance tasks in support of bridge, traffic, roadside, pavement markings and facility maintenance programs; also performs preventive maintenance on assigned equipment; and performs related work as required.

Supervision Received: Receives work assignments of specific tasks from a superior, who provides further instruction on the work methods, assigned equipment, materials, and schedules; work is subject to supervision and review upon its completion for adherence to standards, satisfactory results and technical requirements.

Supervision Exercised: Occasionally may direct the work of assigned subordinates.

Illustrative Examples of Work Performed:

• To perform the specialized operation of heavy construction and maintenance equipment such as, but not limited to, heavy trucks, graders, front end loaders, tractor trailers, pavement marking vehicles, power sweepers, bulldozers, backhoes, road rollers, tractors, basin cleaners, mowers, and an array of support equipment such as compressors, chippers, pumps, pneumatic tools, and hand tools such as chain saws, hand drills, trimmers, mowers, and shovels.
• As a licensed commercial motor vehicle operator performing safety sensitive functions, to be responsible for providing a safe work environment at all times for co-workers and the traveling public by following established work rules and the rules on drug use and alcohol misuse.
• To operate heavy trucks equipped with plow blades and aggregate spreaders to remove snow and ice and spread abrasive and de-icing chemicals on surfaces.
• To operate mowers or tractors with attached rotary, gang, sickle or other type cutters to control vegetation in ditches, medians and other areas of state-owned right-of-way.
• To load and unload materials, such as parts, supplies, abrasives, de-icing chemicals, etc.
• To assist in general use herbicide spraying operations in right-of-way areas.
• To assist in traffic control and flagging oncoming traffic to warn of work zone and roadwork in progress.
• To provide on-the-job training, direction and instruction to other workers.
• To operate power sweeper for cleaning sidewalks, highways, bridges and parking areas.
• May operate pneumatic and hydraulic powered tools, such as jack hammers, tampers, and drills, in the performance of maintenance work.
• To use brooms, shovel, and tamper to clean, fill, and compact material in the road surface.
• To remove and dispose of dead animals from the right of way.
• To operate and perform emergency repairs and preventive maintenance on heavy equipment using personal knowledge and operating safety instructions pertaining to assigned equipment.
• To shovel, rake, sweep and dig as directed by a supervisor to provide support to the maintenance program.
• To mount and dismount special equipment, such as plow gear and sanders, using equipment instructions and hand tools to prepare equipment for operation.
• May perform preventive facility maintenance work such as painting, cleaning, and general repair duties using personal knowledge and appropriate tools of the trade.
• To perform operational adjustments, repairs, and preventive maintenance on power equipment using standard operating procedures, personal knowledge and/or equipment instruction to maintain equipment in a high state of readiness.
• To perform the functions of this classification in a variety of environmental and weather conditions.
• To do related work as required.

Required Qualifications for Appointment:

Knowledge, Skills and Capacities: A thorough knowledge of the state laws pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles on the highway; skill in the operation and servicing of heavy equipment including heavy diesel and gasoline motor equipment; the ability to operate dump trucks, tractor trailers, backhoes, front end loaders, snow plows, basin cleaners, large power mowers and a variety of other motor vehicles used in construction and maintenance of state highways; the ability to make emergency repairs and mechanical adjustments to equipment; the ability to operate a variety of power hand tools; the ability to readily understand and carry out oral and written directions; the ability to work outdoors during inclement weather and be on call during emergency situations; the ability to lift and load material; the ability to operate and use the tools required in highway maintenance work including pneumatic hammers; the ability to drive vehicles in a safe and conscientious manner; skill in the operation of specialized equipment which requires hand, foot, and eye coordination; some duties may require the use of protective equipment such as respirators, safety goggles, etc.; and related capacities and abilities.

Education and Experience: Education: Graduation from a senior high school and supplemented by courses in mechanics; Experience: Considerable employment in the operation of highway maintenance, construction, or other heavy equipment in excess of 26,000 lbs. GVW with airbrakes and manual transmissions. Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

Special Requirements: At the time of appointment and continually thereafter: Must possess and maintain a valid Rhode Island Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Class A with tanker endorsements, and a Restricted or Unrestricted Excavating Equipment License issued by the Rhode Island Board of Hoisting Engineers for pay loader, backhoe, and excavating equipment or equivalent. Compliance with the USDOT Federal Regulations of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 and the State of Rhode Island’s Drug & Alcohol Testing Program Policy & Procedures is a mandatory requirement and a condition of continued employment. Must be physically qualified to perform assigned duties as evidenced by a physician’s certificate.

Benefits: For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits’ website. Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit.