HIGHWAYS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINEE (PERM/FT/BENEFITS)
Harford County MD

Job Info

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Nature of Work

This is entry-level work involving the basic and safe operation of light construction equipment. Employees in this classification must undergo training to become proficient in the operation of equipment specific to their work unit. Employees in this class will provide routine and minor service and maintenance to equipment, and perform less skilled tasks when not operating equipment. Work assignments are given in detail, and work is closely supervised and inspected regularly by supervisory personnel. Employees who satisfactorily complete the trainee level of this classification will be eligible for non-competitive promotion to Equipment Operator.

The working hours for this position will be Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM-3:00 PM; however, as a critical employee, will be expected to be on-call 24/7/365 for emergencies.

Examples of Duties

(The following examples illustrate the work performed in the positions in the class. Positions may require some or all of these examples depending on the organization of work within the department. The list is not inclusive. A position may require related duties not listed, if necessary, to accomplish the work of the department.

• Will be trained and must become proficient in the operation of the following pieces of equipment specific to the employee's work unit: Rubber tire loader, Athey (force feed) loader, rollers (rubber-tired and steel wheel), sweepers (vacuum and mechanical), mowers (boom, slope, flail, sickle bar, conventional), backhoe, paver, skid loader, paint striper (cab).
• Adheres to applicable safety rules and regulations.
• Services and checks equipment assigned daily and makes minor repairs and adjustments as necessary, to assure maximum operating efficiency.
• Moves equipment from one work location to another using a diesel dump truck that pulls a trailer.
• Loads and unloads equipment as necessary.
• Performs duties equal to or below classification, when not operating assigned equipment.
• Assists in snow removal and is on 24-hour call during snow storms or other emergencies.
• May on occasion be required to lead a crew.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Ability to learn and acquire proficient operational knowledge of assigned equipment; to read and understand the operator's manual
  
• Ability to make routine adjustments as necessary; to perform minor maintenance in accordance with the operator's manual
• Ability to pass a qualifying examination and have the ability to safely start and operate a rubber-tired loader, backhoe, and/or roll-off truck
• Ability to follow directions, to climb, stoop, kneel, reach, and stand for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to lift and move heavy objects
• Ability to drive a motor vehicle and operate equipment relevant to the position
• Ability to use various computer systems, including web-based timekeeping, performance management, e-learning, etc.

EDUCATION:
Possession of a high school or vocational-technical school diploma or GED Certificate.

EXPERIENCE:
One (1) year of experience performing general laboring work. In addition, some basic equipment operation experience is required.

LICENSE:
Possession of a valid Class "A" CDL with "O" restriction and tank vehicle endorsement with no more than three (3) points. Valid Class "C" with no restrictions acceptable for job entry, but must obtain valid Class "A" CDL license with "O" restriction and tank vehicle endorsement within six (6) months of appointment to the position. Your application will not be considered if you fail to include the full driver's license number on the electronic application.

SAFETY:
Must comply with all Federal (OSHA), State of Maryland (MOSH), safety regulations, and applicable Harford County safety policies, procedures, or manual as required for this position.
COMPENSATION:
Other compensation may include but is not limited to:

• Overtime
• Compensatory time
• Shift Differentials

BENEFITS:

Harford County offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental & Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation
• Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• Generous Leave Package & Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement

Notes

Selected candidates for positions in this class will be required to undergo random drug/alcohol tests.

Positions in this class are considered critical for snow events and County-wide emergencies.

The applicant will be required to pass a qualifying examination and will be required to start and safely operate a rubber-tired loader, backhoe, or skid loader. PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY FOR MANUAL TESTING DURING THE INTERVIEW.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Subject to hazards of working at construction sites, in confined spaces, around heavy equipment, and on or near heavily trafficked highways, with frequent exposure to adverse weather conditions.
• Required to respond to emergencies on a twenty-four (24) hour basis, seven days per week (e.g., severe storms, snow removal).

FRINGE BENEFITS
(Effective July 1, 2023)

ANNUAL LEAVE - Begin accruing first day of employment and cannot be taken until successful completion of probationary period, EXCESS of 40 DAYS [320 hours] will be deposited into an 106 Premium Reimbursement Account.

0 months - 3 years 1 day per month (12 days per year)
4 years - 9 years 1 ¼ days per month (15 days per year)
10 years - 15 years 1 ¾ days per month (21 days per year)
Over 15 years 2 days per month (24 days per year)

* Please note that leave is prorated according to your status determined by actual hours worked*

SICK LEAVE - Begin accruing first day of employment (UMLIMITED ACCUMULATION)

1 day is allowed after first month of employment
1 ¼ days per month accumulation

PERSONAL LEAVE - For new employees, personal leave is prorated according to schedule below, for the first year only. Any employee on board as of December 31st of each year automatically receives 8 days as of January 1st the following year. (NOTE: Personal Leave may not be taken until successful completion of probationary period; personal leave will be lost if not taken before December 31st of each year.)

1/1 to 1/31 6 days 4/1 to 4/30 3 days
2/1 to 2/28 5 days 5/1 to 5/31 2 days
3/1 to 3/31 4 days 6/1 to 6/30 1 day
7/1 to 12/31 0 days
FAMILY LEAVE - Up to 12 weeks per year

FUNERAL LEAVE - 3 days + 1 day for extended travel

MILITARY LEAVE - 3 weeks per year with no loss in pay for Reserve or National Guard Training, Active Duty and serving during emergencies.

CIVIL LEAVE - No loss in pay while serving Jury Duty.

RETIREMENT -
COUNTY EMPLOYEES: State Pension System 7% employee contribution
LAW ENFORCEMENT (TO INCLUDE TEMPORARY DEPUTIES): LEOPS 7% Employee Contribution
CORRECTIONS: SOPP 9% Employee Contribution

COUNTYFLEX - Provides the employee with a range of health care and other employee benefit options which gives employee the opportunity to design a benefit plan that best meets the employee's needs. Employee may use available credits to purchase the following:

HEALTH INSURANCE - CareFirst Triple Option and BlueChoice Opt-Out Plus Open Access and Kaiser Permanente (all plans include prescription drug coverage)

DENTAL INSURANCE - CareFirst Dental PPO Plus Plan and CareFirst Dental PPO Plan

VISION INSURANCE - Provided through BlueVision Plus

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - Provided through American Fidelity. Employees may fund health and child care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

PRE-TAX - All deductions for health, dental, vision and flexible spending accounts are subject to deductions from paycheck before federal and state taxes are applied.

LIFE INSURANCE -
Provided through MetLife - $50,000 policy - NO COST TO EMPLOYEE

SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE (TERM/WHOLE/UNIVERSAL AND AD&D)
Provided through MetLife.

LONG TERM DISABILITY - Provided through MetLife.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION -
Lincoln Financial Group - Retirement Consultant David Weiland
Phone 410-236-2494 Email- Dave.Weiland@LFG.com
[Customer Service Representative 1-800-234-3500]

RETIREE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE BENEFITS-
Employees hired on or after 7/1/2010 will have an automatic Retirement Health Savings account made available as the primary retiree healthcare benefit. This 105(h) Universal Reimbursement Account will only be able to be accessed upon separation of service and/or retirement whichever applicable. These accounts are employer funded, tax free, & portable with 20 different Nationwide investment options.
These funds are solely for the use of offsetting your premium health care cost, prescriptions, co-pays and deductibles. Upon death funds are made available immediately to the surviving spouse or qualified dependents (as defined by the IRC 152 (a).

DEATH BENEFITS - PAID BY COUNTY

50% of accumulated sick leave

All accumulated annual leave

Personal leave (maximum of 2 days)

$50,000 life insurance

One (1) month's salary

PAID BY RETIREMENT
One year's pay (after 1 year's service) plus employee's contributions refunded with interest.

HOLIDAYS - 11 per year:

New Year's Day January 1st
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 3rd Monday in January
President's Day 3rd Monday in February
Memorial Day last Monday in May
Juneteenth June 19th
Independence Day July 4th
Labor Day 1st Monday in September
Veteran's Day November 11th
Thanksgiving Day 4th Thursday in November
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Day December 25th

OTHER BENEFITS: Employee Assistance Program
Travel and Official Expense Reimbursement
Uniforms and Safety Clothing
Tuition Assistance
Legal Plan

Agency Harford County

Address 220 South Main Street

Bel Air, Maryland, 21014

Phone 410-638-3201

Website http://www.harfordcountymd.gov

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