Equipment Operator

This entry level position performs semi-skilled and manual work in the operation maintenance of light and heavy automotive and construction equipment in the performance of various public works construction and maintenance activities.

• Schedule:
  • Second shift: Monday to Thursday 2:00pm to 11:00pm and Friday 10:30am to 2:00pm
  • Occasional weekend/evening hours as paid overtime or comp time (up to 80 hours).
• Supervision:
  • Received: Streets Supervisor and/or Crew Leader
  • Exercised: None

• Explore the City's 2026 benefits here: City of Waukesha 2026 Benefit Guide
• Explore the City's 2027 benefits here: City of Waukesha 2027 Benefit Guide

Essential Job Functions: The job functions listed herein are neither exclusive nor exhaustive but are intended to be illustrative of the types of tasks the employee will most likely be expected to perform on a regular basis. The employee may be asked to perform different or additional tasks than the ones listed here, as the needs of the employer and/or the requirements of the position change.

1. Operates several sizes of CDL and non-CDL trucks and trailers up to 80,000lbs including tractor-trailer, tag trailer, tandem and single axle dump, arial bucket truck up to 50ft, sewer jetting truck, one-ton dump, and pickup trucks.
2. Operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment including drills, saws, grinders, concrete and asphalt finishing tools, pumps, generators, transit level, concrete power screed, mortar mixer, crack filling machine, tack coat machine, inferred asphalt heater, air compressor, blower, plate compactor, asphalt roller, and torches. Use of loaders, skid loaders, backhoe, forklift, manlift, chipper, and stump grinder. Attachments used include light pole/traffic signal setter, cold plainer, brush cutter, breaker material grinder, trencher, auger, pallet forks, chipper, stump grinder, 4-in-1 bucket.

3. Performs landscape terracing, erosion control, mailbox, and sidewalk maintenance including grading, topsoiling, seeding, and installing erosion control matting in parks, terrace areas, and swales. Works at city compost site as needed. Repairs mailboxes to USPS standards. Maintains sidewalk areas for safe walking.

4. Assists in sanitary sewer and storm sewer maintenance televising inspection and building cleaning. Including operating sanitary and storm sewer jetting and cutting maintenance. Operating combination hydro-excavation and jet truck. Cleans lift stations. Make confined entry, as necessary. Televising pre and post construction of sewer and storm sewer mains and laterals. Use of push camera as needed. Data entry and documentation of findings. General cleaning of buildings and equipment. Responds to emergency backups and makes repairs.

5. Assists in street sweeping, cleaning, maintenance and repairs Including downtown garbage and city buildings pickup, sweeping, blowing, shoveling and collecting debris. Manually collects refuse from downtown refuse cans. Cleans, maintains, vehicles and equipment.

6. Is part of seasonal maintenance including snow and ice control in a CDL vehicle with main plow, wing plow, and tailgate salter. Use of skid steer with extendable plow. Holiday tree collection during January. Brush collection, removal, and hauling in spring. Leaf collection from late October to early December. Ability to operate skid steer with leaf rake attachment to remove and windrow leaves into street for collection. Use of wheeled motorized leaf blower. Manual raking of leaves is required.

7. Installs and maintains traffic signals, detection cameras, signal cabinets, streetlights up to 40ft tall and control cabinets. Installs concrete pole bases and underground conduit. Installs and replaces wire. Makes and installs directional signs. Maintains weather warning sirens. Sets up and takes down traffic control. Set up and take down voting booths and machines. Paints crosswalks, stop bars, turn arrows and pavement markings. Set up and maintenance of Mobile Vehicle Barriers (MVB's). installs and maintains flags downtown. Responds to emergency knockdowns and makes repairs.

8. Installs, repairs, and maintains storm sewers, manholes, sanitary sewers, piping, and structures. Responds to emergencies and makes repairs in confined spaces.

9. Installs, repairs and maintains asphalt and concrete pavement. Includes pothole patching, crack sealing, mastic sealing, luting, shoveling, plate compacting, applying tack coat, asphalt paving, rolling of asphalt. Concrete finishing, forming and grading of flat and vertical work. Includes panel replacement, curb, driveway apron, and sidewalk ADA ramps. Responds to emergency repairs of concrete and asphalt pavement.

10. May perform fleet maintenance, parts look-up, and recordkeeping.

Other Job Functions:

1. Performs related duties as assigned.
2. Must be able to use computers with windows-based program.

Requirements of Work
Graduation from high school or GED equivalent and 1 - 3 years of experience in construction and the operation of construction equipment and machinery; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, ability and skills:

Knowledge of

• Materials, methods, practices, techniques and equipment used in public works construction and maintenance projects.
• The operation of CDL vehicles and construction equipment.
• Occupational hazards and the proper safety methods and procedures used to avoid or minimize risks.
• Inventory control and management

• Understand and carry out instructions.
• Perform minor maintenance on equipment and machinery.
• Perform light to heavy physical tasks under varying weather conditions, and to work in confined spaces (training provided).
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers and the general public.
• Perform monthly fuel reports and fuel site inspections.
• Work with computers and Microsoft based programs (excel, word, etc.)

• Operating all types of tools, equipment and machinery.
• Snow removal operations using plow, wing, and salter.

• Valid Wisconsin driver's license; CDL with A, B, C, D and (N preferred or obtained within 6 months of hire) endorsements;
• the ability to complete a pre-employment post offer physical to include drug and alcohol screening upon hire, and random drug and alcohol screens thereafter.
• Must be willing to work extended hours for emergencies.

The physical 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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed mostly outdoors; hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate tools, vehicles and various types of construction equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, prolonged visual concentration and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is frequently required to bend, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee may frequently be exposed to adverse weather and other unpleasant conditions such as heat, cold, wetness and humidity; dim or bright lights, dust, odors, noise, vibrations, toxic agents, smoke, electrical currents and heavy machinery.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally in excess of 50 pounds.