Burke County Road and Bridge Department
Equipment Operator

Equipment Operators operate a variety of equipment and vehicles and use a variety of tools and equipment in support of the maintenance and construction of County highways and the maintenance of County bridges, equipment, vehicles and County Highway Department buildings.

Work includes but not limited to: grounds and building maintenance, asphalt patching, road construction and maintenance, bridge and culvert maintenance and installation, snow removal, sanding, fencing, erosion control installation, mowing, tree cutting, signing, traffic control, and etc.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Hauling equipment and materials using both bumper pull trailers and “low boy” tractor/trailer, hauling gravel, rip rap, and other materials using end dumps, belly dumps, and side dumps

• Operate motorgraders, dozers, excavators, backhoes, wheel loaders, skid-steer loaders and other construction equipment for road construction and maintenance as directed.

• Patch and seal broken and cracked pavement on County roads.

• Remove snow from County roads and sand road surfaces using County snowplow truck, sander trucks, truck and tractor driven snow blowers and other equipment and vehicles as directed.

• Perform routine servicing and maintenance on County equipment and vehicles.

• Cut and remove brush and trees along with other debris from County Right-of-Way.

• Operate power tools, jackhammers, air compressors, mechanical tampers, power saws, hydraulic drivers, welders, cutting torch and similar equipment

• Mows road slopes and ditches with tractors and rotary mowers, trim around bridge ends, guardrail, signs with mowers and trimers

• Repair and maintain bridges.

• Work as traffic control person on road construction/maintenance projects.

• Pick rocks and debris along County roads

• Install erosion control products, including rip-rap, erosion control mats, blankets, onto slopes, embankments and drainage ways.

• Occasionally operate heavy equipment on a limited basis as directed by supervisor.

• Perform a variety of laborer tasks using hand tools, vehicles or equipment as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN OPERATOR IS A MOTORGRADER OPERATOR

• Patrol and “blade” gravel roads to a smooth, reshaped and level surface; remove rocks and distribute gravel evenly.

• Plow and/or remove snow and ice from roads and keep them open for vehicle traffic.

• Perform service and maintenance on the motorgrader assigned to them, such as changing oil and filters, lubrication, inspecting and changing belts and tires, making adjustments, repairing minor malfunctions and replace cutting edges.

• “Pull” gravel road shoulders and shape road slopes as needed or directed.

• Manage road maintenance schedule under supervision of Road Superintendent.

• Work at or around the County shops performing building, grounds and equipment maintenance as needed or directed.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/ EXERCISED:

Equipment Operators are supervised by the Road Superintendent.   They are not assigned to supervise other positions. The Equipment Operator will serve as a essentially worker who has some responsibility but little authority and will assist the foreman or superintendent by overseeing a work site or provide training to a worker.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• High school graduation or GED, 2 years of full-time construction operating and maintenance experience preferred and the minimum of a valid ND Class A driver’s license (CDL) with applicable endorsements.

• Thorough knowledge of driving and servicing tractor/trailer trucks, motorgraders, dozers, excavators, backhoes, wheel loaders, skid-steer loaders, and various other types of construction equipment and vehicles. 

• Skilled in operating a tractor/trailer, motorgraders, dozers, excavators, backhoes, wheel loaders, skid-steer loaders, other various types of construction and maintenance equipment and vehicles, and in working and communicating effectively with others.

• Ability to learn new methods, procedures and skills and apply them to the functions of the position; to perform a variety of tasks and functions involving very good eye/hand coordination; and to effectively use hand tools in performing job functions.

• The ability to use good judgment in working with the public and being alert to the safety of highway users and other employees. Possess an understanding of safety rules and regulations.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:  These support the essential function of the position.        

• Work requires the employee to sit or walk for extended periods of time.

• Normal work schedule for this position is weekdays during daylight hours; however, special occasions or conditions such as snow may require additional hours to be worked at any time and any day.

• To perform the functions of the position, the employee is required to bend, stretch, lift heavy objects (up to 100 lbs.), reach, stoop, kneel and climb ladders on and off of the equipment.  The work requires moderate physical flexibility and considerable exertion and strength.  The work may occasionally leave the employee short of breath.

• Must be able to record information on time sheets, maintenance records.

• Must have vision capable of seeing medium and long distances as well as good peripheral vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  

• May be exposed to fumes and contact with petroleum products, paint, hot tar, chemicals and motor exhaust as well as dust, grass, pollen and insects.

• Employee is required to wear protective clothing and equipment such as ear plugs, protective boots, a hard hat and safety goggles for functions that require it.

• Regularly works outdoors in varying temperatures and other weather-related situations.

• Regularly travel to work sites.

OTHER ASSIGNMENTS:

County department heads and supervisors reserve the right to amend the functions assigned this position, either temporarily or permanently, at any time as they determine the best interests of their departments.  Further, employees may be assigned other or additional functions to fill-in during the absence of other employees or vacancies in other positions.

Applications and full job description may be obtained at:

Burke County Auditor’s Office
103 Main Street
Bowbells, ND 58721
701-377-2861
www.burkecountynd.com
avandegraft@nd.gov

Open Until Filled

Burke County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Veterans’ Preference applies in accordance with North Dakota law. Eligible veterans and spouses claiming preference must submit required documentation at the time of application.