Equipment Operator I - Landscaping

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. - Additional non-standard hours are required, including weekends and holidays.
Pay Rate: The entry pay rate for this position is $17/hour, with additional consideration given for candidates who possess a valid Commercial Driver's License.

JOB SUMMARY
The Equipment Operator I maintains City grounds, rights-of-way, and facilities through landscaping, equipment operation, and general maintenance activities. This position operates a variety of small to medium equipment and vehicles, performs routine manual labor, and supports multiple departments as needed to ensure safe, clean, and well-maintained City properties.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Operates lawn mowers, front-deck mowers, tractors, weed eaters, edgers, chainsaws, and other landscaping and maintenance equipment.
2. Operates tractors with attachments such as box blades, discs, and sprayers.
3. Drives City vehicles including pickup trucks, flatbed trucks, and bucket trucks.
4. Performs daily equipment and vehicle inspections, including checking fluid levels, belts, batteries, and tires.
5. Cleans and maintains equipment, tools, and department shop areas.
6. Maintains landscaped areas by cutting grass and weeds, trimming trees and shrubs, planting flowerbeds, and spraying for pests.
7. Performs maintenance across City properties including parks, rights-of-way, City Hall, fire and police stations, library, recreation facilities, community centers, and golf facilities.
8. Trims limbs, throw dirt on rights-of-ways, and assist with street and drainage-related work as needed.
9. Performs general maintenance tasks such as painting, changing lights, trash removal, and upkeep of restrooms and picnic facilities.
10. Performs manual labor including digging holes, moving dirt, and assisting with installation of materials such as pipe.
11. Interacts professionally with the public, vendors, and visitors regarding rules, safety, and etc.
12. Follows all City safety rules, policies, and procedures and use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
13. Identifies and reports unsafe conditions, hazards, or equipment malfunctions to a supervisor.
14. Provides operational support to other departments or work areas as assigned.

All positions at the City of Orange Beach have the job responsibilities below:

1. Handles sensitive information in a confidential manner.
2. Maintains a highly professional attitude and demeanor at all times.
3. Provides responsible, appropriate, and satisfactory leadership within the City.
4. Communicates positively and professionally in all aspects of the position.
5. Attends all department meetings, City meetings, and professional development activities.
6. Becomes thoroughly familiar with all pertinent state and national policies and comply with said policies.
7. Complies with City wide and departmental policies, as well as state and federal laws.
8. Ensures the positive promotion of the City.
9. Is prompt and punctual in reporting for work, meetings, etc.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge of landscaping materials, practices, and general maintenance techniques.
2. Knowledge of traffic regulations and safety rules, including accident prevention.
3. Basic mechanical skills to perform routine equipment maintenance.
4. Basic math and recordkeeping skills.
5. Ability to safely operate and maintain small to medium equipment and tools.
6. Ability to read and understand instruction manuals and safety guidelines.
7. Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and the public.
8. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
9. Ability to exercise good judgment and maintain safe working practices.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions, duties and responsibilities of the job may be considered.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. High school diploma or equivalent, or related work experience.
2. Current and valid Driver’s License.
3. Willingness to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and non-standard hours as needed.
4. Ability to perform related duties as required.
5. Ability to perform physical responsibilities of the position under extreme outdoor conditions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experience in grounds maintenance.
2. Experience operating off-road vehicles or small equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

This position requires frequent physical exertion including standing, walking on uneven terrain, bending, stooping, crouching, climbing, and lifting heavy objects (often over 50 pounds). The work requires agility, strength, and endurance.

The work involves exposure to outdoor weather conditions, moving machinery, traffic, noise, and chemicals. Employees must wear appropriate PPE such as gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, safety shoes, and other protective gear as required. Uniforms may be provided for certain operations. Employees will be required to work outside in extreme conditions, including loud noises, foul odors, intense sunlight, high heat indices, high winds, high humidity and/or heavy rainfall events.