IMPERIAL COUNTY
CLASS TITLE: EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the direction of a District Road Superintendent, perform semi-skilled operation of
heavy equipment and vehicles to maintain and repair County roads and bridges; service
and assist in the maintenance of assigned equipment and vehicles.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Equipment Operator I incumbents are assigned maintenance and repair duties for County
roads and bridges. Equipment Operator II incumbents perform skilled duties in the more
complex construction of County roads and solid waste sites. Equipment Operator III
incumbents exercise greater independence and have sole responsibility for a geographical
section of the County such as the Salton Sea area.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
Perform semi-skilled operation of heavy equipment and vehicles to maintain and repair
County roads and bridges; service and assist in the maintenance of assigned equipment
and vehicles.
Inspect equipment to assure safe and effective operating condition; check tires, radiator,
oil and fuel in equipment such as tractors, trucks, skip loaders and compactors.
Operate water trucks to water base material and aid in the compaction process and to
control dust.
Operate motor grader to grade roads and shoulders, clean barrow pits and right of way.
Operate self-propelled and tractor-dawn compactors to compact material such as
blacktop.
Patch roads using blacktop to fill holes and cracks and seal coat roads.
Operate gravel sled, including hook-ups and bottom dumps to dump gravel.
Service equipment such as tractors, trucks, graders, skip loaders and pick-up trucks;
change oil and repair flats; assist mechanics in the repair of engines, transmissions, rear
ends and in changing spark plugs and points.
Operate equipment such as small compressors, saw, hoe, shovel, wrench, drill, impact
tool, gas pump; steam cleaner, car radio and flat rack truck.
Maintain bridges performing tasks such as painting and replacing missing lumber.
June 1993
Equipment Operator I - Continued
Page 2
Perform flagger duties to provide safety for workers during road repair.
Transport election supplies to polling places such as ballots, booths and chairs to assist
the County Clerk’s Office.
Maintain road yards by cleaning road district yards; repair buildings, mow lawns and trim
trees.
Maintain routine records such as time sheets and equipment service and maintenance.
Assist in producing road and traffic signs as assigned.
Read items such as department directives, repair manuals, memos and paint cans.
Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Methods of performing basic maintenance and service on assigned equipment.
Proper lifting techniques.
ABILITY TO:
Service and assist in the maintenance of assigned equipment and vehicles.
Learn and perform semi-skilled operation of heavy equipment and vehicles such as
dump trucks, water trucks, compactors and motor graders.
Perform flagger duties.
Utilize hand and power tools such as wrenches, tire tools, rakes, shovels and small
compressor drills, saws and gas pumps.
Trim trees.
Paint bridges.
Maintain routine records related to work performed.
Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Work cooperatively with others.
Read items such as department directives, repair manuals, memos and paint cans.
Lift objects weighing up to 100 pounds.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination equivalent to: sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the
knowledge and abilities listed above.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid California Class C driver's license; obtain a valid California Class B driver’s
license within six (6) months of employment.
June 1993
Equipment Operator I - Continued
Page 3
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Outdoor environment; driving from site to site to conduct work and emergency
callouts in hot, cold, windy and rainy weather.
Physical abilities required include dexterity of hands and fingers to operate vehicles,
equipment and tools, seeing to perform work and operate equipment, climbing in and out
of large equipment, stooping, reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally,
walking over rough uneven ground, balancing on high and narrow places, lifting and
carrying heavy objects weighing up to 100 pounds and pushing, pulling or dragging heavy
items weighing up to 200 pounds, perform heavy physical work, standing for extended
periods of time to perform such tasks as flagging traffic.
Incumbents may be exposed to hazard from passing traffic when repairing roads and
bridges, extreme weather conditions, loud equipment noise, working around and with
machinery having moving parts, falling or flying objects, chemicals and solvents, exhaust
fumes, dust, pollen, and working in high, narrow or cramped locations.
June 1993