Heavy Motor Equipment Operator (HMEO) - Utilites Water - City of Newton

Job Description

Statement of Duties

Position provides laborer and equipment utilization functions for the department.  Responsibilities include operating heavy trucks and unskilled laborer’s tools  required for work projects, and ensuring for the safe and efficient operation of vehicles and machinery. 

Supervision

Employee works under the general supervision of a Working Foreman.  Employee is familiar with the work routine and uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently, with specific instruction.  Any questionable cases are referred to the supervisor for clarification or interpretation.  The employee’s work  is reviewed only to an extent sufficient to keep the Working Foreman  aware of progress, and to insure that completed work and methods used are technically accurate and that instructions are being followed.

Employee does not exercise any supervisory responsibility.

Employee does not have access to any confidential information.

Job Environment

Position responsibilities require the use of judgment and initiative to interpret the numerous standardized practices, procedures, codes, or general instructions governing the work.  Employee is expected to locate, select, and apply the most pertinent practice, procedure, regulation, or guideline for a given situation.

Errors can result in personal injury/loss, delay or loss of service, damage to equipment or injury to others.

The position has occasional contact with the public and frequent contact with  City employees, in person to respond to inquiries and provide information and assistance. 

Position Functions

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to, or extension of, the position.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of medium and heavy duty motor equipment that requires a Commercial drivers License (CDL), including both standard and automatic drive trucks and motor equipment.
• Drives trucks to haul materials, plows snow, operates sander and other vehicles as assigned.  Keeps logs of activities as required.
• Ensures that all safety precautions are followed while performing work.
• Performs a CDL circle check; lubricates, adds oil, inflates tires and otherwise services equipment to ensure proper operation; reports any malfunctions to supervisor, and may assist in making minor repairs and maintenance. Completes a Vehicle Condition report on a daily basis and may assist with repair and maintenance of equipment and machinery.
• Performs laboring functions at work sites and construction projects. 
• All employees hired after 6/6/2005 will also perform traffic maintenance functions.
• Participate in snow and ice removal operations and other emergencies as declared by the City.
• Performs similar or related duties as required by the supervisor.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Physical and Mental Requirements

Employee works on loud to very loud construction sites and is exposed to outdoor weather conditions, fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, more than 2/3rd of the time; toxic or caustic chemicals, extremes of heat and cold up to 1/3rd of the time.  Employee is required to talk, listen, use hands, and reach with hands and arms more than 2/3rd of the time; stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.  Employee frequently lifts up to 60 lbs., occasionally lifts up to or more than 100 lbs.  Normal vision is required for this position.  Equipment operated includes trucks in excess of 26,001 lbs, pneumatic tools, and hand tools.

Education and Experience

A candidate for this position should have a High School Diploma or equivalent; one to three (1-3) years of experience in operating heavy trucks and equipment, or an equivalent combination of education or experience. A candidate for this position must  possess a valid Class B Massachusetts Commercial Driver’s License. Class A preferred. A candidate for this position must have a valid Massachusetts Drivers License. 

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

A candidate for this position should have knowledge of:

• Mechanical, hydraulic, and power train systems
• Construction and/or landscaping methods and materials associated with the respective department
• Truck driving and small equipment operating practices and procedures
• Occupational safety precautions

Skill in:

• Performing duties safely and efficiently

And the ability to:

• Operate heavy trucks in a safe manner in accordance with department safety guidelines
• Detect mechanical problems, maintain vehicle and equipment, and may assist in performing minor repairs
• Read and follow oral and written instructions       
• Perform strenuous physical work over a period of time and  lifts, carries, and places heavy objects often under adverse weather conditions.

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus.  The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset.  To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits.  We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities.  We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings.  We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees.  And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

•   Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
•   Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
•   Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
•   Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
•   Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
•   Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

Benefits

• Health insurance - 75% employer sponsored
• Dental insurance
• Two (2) weeks of vacation time per year
• Annual step increases (up to the maximum of the grade)
• Annual cost of living adjustments (COLA)
• Longevity payments after 5 years of continuous service
• 12.5 paid holidays per year
• $1000 clothing allowance per year
• 2 paid floating holidays per year, 2 personal business days per year
• 80 hours of special leave time per year
• Snow bonus - an additional $8.50/hour
• Summer Hours - Friday's off - Monday through Thursday 10 hour work days
• For Fleet Mechanics/Technicians, one (1) time $1500 tool allowance paid out upon completing probationary period
• Availability for overtime
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Weekly Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees