Equipment Operator

Starting Wage Range: $27.05/hr. - $34.95/hr.

Job Summary:

This position is part of a team of professionals in the Natural Resources Department whose mission is the responsible stewardship of Tribal lands, waters, and resources.  Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of heavy equipment used in site development, utility and road construction, and maintenance operations. 

Essential Functions:

• Operates heavy equipment such as backhoe, bulldozer, excavators, front-end loaders, dump trucks and other heavy equipment used in excavation, underground utility work and site development projects.
• Maintains and performs minor repairs or routine maintenance on equipment.
• Operates a variety of manual and power tools.
• Contributes to a safe and effective working environment by using safe work practices and personal protective equipment.
• Apply Tribal Safety rules and Federal OSHA laws governing heavy equipment operation and project work.
• Accurately reports equipment and personnel time to Supervisor.
• Occasionally provides supervision and training to assigned staff.
• Calls for utility locates before excavation projects, when necessary.
• Identifies and discusses mitigations for hazardous conditions before beginning work with Construction Foreman.
• Assists with record keeping, as assigned by Supervisor.
• May perform fire suppression work with heavy equipment on prescribed burns and wildfires, which may be local, in other states, or in other countries.
• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education, Experience, and Licenses:

• Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalency and three (3) years of directly related experience in the operation of heavy equipment for road maintenance and improvements, excavation, underground utilities and other site development projects
• OR equivalent combination of education, training and experience. 

Driving Requirements:

• Employees may be required to drive for work-related purposes and must maintain a valid Oregon Driver’s License (ODL), meet company vehicle insurance requirements, and provide proof of personal vehicle insurance.

• Requires a valid class “A” Commercial Driver’s License or must obtain within first six (6) months of hire. 

Qualifications,Registrations, and Certifications:

• Ability to operate all types of heavy equipment, a variety of power tools and hand tools.
• Ability to obtain a CPR\First Aid Certificate.
• Ability to measure slopes and grades.
• Ability to become OSHA certified as a “competent person.”
• Must have a good understanding of basic concepts of forest excavation and construction.
• Must have good verbal communication skills and ability to follow verbal instructions.
• Must have a good understanding of field and workplace safety requirements and be able to complete job tasks both safely and effectively.
• Before being assigned to wildfire duty, the individual must pass the Firefighter Fitness Pack Test which requires carrying a 45-pound backpack while walking 3 miles in under 45 minutes.
• Must be able to recognize and discuss mitigations for hazardous conditions before beginning work.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment requiring close coordination and respectful interpersonal communication, both in the field and in the office.
• Must be available to respond to emergency work after work hours and on weekends or holidays.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to Native American culture required.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Continually requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discrimination in sound.
• Continually requires verbally expressing or exchanging ideas or important instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Continually requires moving about on foot to accomplish tasks.
• Frequently requires raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position.
• Frequently requires stooping which entails the use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Frequently requires bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Frequently requires standing for sustained periods of time.
• Frequently requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Occasionally requires moving about in confined spaces.
• Occasionally requires crouching.
• Occasionally requires moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Occasionally requires lifting of up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• The worker is frequently subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions. The worker is frequently subject to extreme weather conditions for periods of more than one hour, which may include rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind, sun, fire, extremely high or low humidity, or a combination of these conditions. 
• The worker is frequently subject to noise, sufficient to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.
• The worker is frequently subject to fumes, odors, dust, mists, and chemicals.
• The worker is often subject to exposure to animals, such as snakes and insects.
• The worker is frequently close to, or operating, large machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, yarders, and loaders. May be required to work in semi-remote locations and around logging equipment. 
• Frequently works ten hours or longer a day, early mornings, nights and weekends.

• Supports a safe work environment by performing all duties in accordance with Tribal safety policies and procedures, and Emergency Management Plan. 

• Due to the nature of the interactions with other employees and the public we serve, employees may be required to provide documentation of, or receive, certain health vaccinations.
• May be called upon to serve as a Disaster Reservist during emergencies.
• Local travel is frequently required. Travel outside of the state is infrequently required.

Background Check:

Candidates for this position will be subject to criminal and character background checks and may be subject to fingerprinting.