HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR / MECHANIC

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

DEFINITION

Under direction, operates one or more types of gasoline or diesel 
powered equipment to perform the more complex and demanding 
assignments to fine grade slopes, inclines, ramps, curves, and 
excavations by scrapping, scooping, rolling, lifting, or leveling on 
all types of terrain; works to fine specifications from grade stakes 
set by survey party; inspects machinery daily and reports unsafe 
conditions; services and makes minor emergency repairs to 
equipment in garage or field; may occasionally perform a variety 
of manual or unskilled tasks; does other related duties as required.

NOTE:  The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes 
only.  A particular position using this title may not perform all duties 
listed in this job specification.  Conversely, all duties performed on 
the job may not be listed.

NOTE:  The distinction between this title and the title of Equipment 
Operator (01746) lies in the degree of skill and precision required to 
perform the principal tasks of the Heavy Equipment Operator title and 
the type of equipment operated.  Positions assigned to this class operate 
equipment which is larger, more complex, and/or used on varied types of 
terrain requiring more skill and greater motor coordination to manipulate, 
and/or in more confined spaces where the consequences of error and 
potential for danger are greater, and for which additional certification 
and/or licensure may be required.  Heavy Equipment Operators may 
also operate, maintain, and/or repair, as incidental duties, less complex 
equipment, other machinery or vehicles which do not require the same 
level of skill, do not present a commensurate level of difficulty or require 
certification and/or licensure.

NOTE:  Incumbents in this title are responsible for ensuring that 
land is marked properly and according to specifications.  Additionally, 
incumbents in this title are responsible for ensuring that stakes and 
layouts are maintained and adhered to for the duration of each job.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Maneuvers diesel or gasoline powered equipment with wheeled or 
crawler type traction such as bulldozer, frontend loader, motor grader, 
backhoe, grad-all, scraper, and so forth.

Manipulates controls to adjust attachments for proper positioning on 
rough, rocky, or soft terrain or other sub-surfaces that change because 
of weather conditions which may alter the soil composition to fine grade 
slopes, inclines, ramps, curves, and excavations by scrapping, scooping, 
rolling, or leveling.

Maneuvers equipment and manipulates different controls to adjust 
attachments for proper positioning near a variety of obstructions 
and/or in difficult surroundings such as close to buildings, trees, 
utility wires, drop offs, pipes, or rocks to dig or move earth or 
destroy obsolete brick and stone structures.

Operates cranes (truck mounted and/or crawler mounted) at various 
outdoor locations where maneuverability is restricted and accuracy is 
critical such as near obstructions which restrict load or boom movement 
and/or areas which do not permit positioning of the crane near the work 
to be done.

Reviews with foreperson rough sketches or blueprints that are marked 
to indicate sections to be cut, filled, and the level of the finished job to 
compare terrain at the beginning of the operation with the proposed 
finished job.

In operating equipment, follows all types of alignment stakes which are 
used in laying out construction projects and their boundaries and reads 
the information contained on them to know the stationing or location of 
any part of the road relative to a starting point or reference, the amount 
of cut and fill to be removed from the existing ground surface or reference 
mark on the stake at that point, or the shoulder or ditch line when offset 
stakes are used or the distance from the centerline to stake location.

Ensures that equipment is ready for operation at all times by inspecting 
all moving parts for adequate lubrication and lubricates as necessary; 
inspects tires for proper inflation; checks brake hydraulic reservoir level 
and oil level, and makes a general inspection of the entire equipment for 
any obvious deficiencies.

May occasionally operate a truck to haul and dump sand, gravel, asphalt,
and refuse; carries equipment and/or snow plow.

May perform a variety of manual unskilled tasks when not engaged in 
operating equipment.  Receives assignments either in writing or orally 
explaining work to be done and equipment to be used.

Reports any problems that cause a delay in the completion of the work 
assignment to the supervisor either in writing or verbally.

May function in a lead worker capacity.

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
manual recording information systems used by the agency, office 
or related unit.

REQUIREMENTS:

EXPERIENCE:

Two (2) years of experience in the operation and maintenance of 
construction and maintenance equipment. 

NOTE:  Appropriate formal training in the operation and maintenance 
of construction equipment may be substituted for one (1) year of 
required work experience.

LICENSE:

Applicants may be required to possess a license as a Crane Operator 
issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor and, a certification 
issued by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane 
Operators (NCCCO) in the appropriate specialty as determined by 
the Appointing Authority (lattice boom crawler crane, lattice boom truck 
crane, telescopic boom crane with a capacity of more than 17.5 tons, 
telescopic boom crane with a capacity of less than 17.5 tons).

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in 
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee 
mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
 
Appointee must possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) 
and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being 
operated.

NOTE:  The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the 
required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type 
of vehicle being operated, rests with the Appointing Authority.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the assigned equipment and its limitations in performing 
a variety of tasks.

Knowledge of blade positioning to fine grade surfaces, inclines, slopes, 
and curves on all types of terrain.

Knowledge of adjusting, oiling, and maintaining equipment in a safe 
operating condition.

Knowledge of accident prevention procedures for operating assigned 
equipment.

Ability to follow specific oral or written instructions concerning the 
work assignment.

Ability to adjust, oil, grease, and maintain assigned equipment.

Ability to maintain concentration, alertness, and an exceptional degree 
of visual and physical coordination.

Ability to grade surfaces to fine specification by adjusting attachments 
while the vehicle is in motion on all types of terrain.

Ability to simultaneously operate controls, make difficult clearance 
judgments while watching the load, and compensate for variation in 
the equipment's lifting or hauling capacity during position changes.

Ability to understand equipment and its limitation on all types of terrain.

Ability to work without direct supervision.

Ability to manipulate attachments rapidly to adjust to the changing 
condition of the surfaces.

Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual 
recording information systems used by the agency, office or related 
units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in 
English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.  American 
Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable 
forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long 
as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without 
reasonable accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be 
made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, 
such persons may not be eligible.
 
CODE:  02001@    7/26/2016
  
 MECHANIC

 DEFINITION:

 Under direction performs varied mechanical work involved in
 the repair, maintenance, and servicing of motor vehicles and/or
 construction equipment working with various machines and hand 
 tools common to the trade; does related work as required.

 NOTE:  The examples of work for this title are for illustrative 
 purposes only.  A particular position using this title may 
 not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, 
 all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

 EXAMPLES OF WORK 
 
 Repairs engines and components, power trains, suspension systems, 
 and other mechanical units of such motor vehicles as automobiles, 
 vans, and/or such construction equipment as trucks, buses, bulldozers,
 tractors, cranes, road graders, power shovels, or similar equipment.

 Obtains description of mechanical problems from driver of vehicle
 and/or test drives the vehicle or uses testing equipment such as 
 motor analyzers, spark plug testers, or compression gauges to 
 locate and identify the problem.

 Locates worn, dirty, or poorly adjusted parts through visual check 
 of vehicle or through the use of testing devices such as timing 
 lights and dwell meters or other diagnostic equipment.

 Removes, cleans, or replaces defective parts such as spark 
 plugs, wheel cylinders, mufflers, tail pipes, or brake shoes.

 Makes settings and adjustments such as setting distributors 
 and voltage regulators, points, gapping spark plugs, setting 
 engine idle and timing, and adjusting brakes.

 Removes units such as engine, transmission, or differential 
 using wrenches and hoist.

 Disassembles unit and inspect parts for wear using 
 micrometers, calipers, and thickness gauges.

 Repairs or replaces parts such as pistons, rods, gears, 
 valves, and bearings using mechanic's hand tools.

 Overhauls or replaces carburetors, blowers, generators, 
 distributors, starters, and pumps.

 Rebuilds parts such as crankshafts and cylinder blocks 
 using lathes, shapers, drill presses, and welding equipment.

 Rewires ignition system, lights, and instrument panel.

 Relines and adjusts brakes, aligns front end, repairs or 
 replaces shock absorbers, and solders leaks in radiator.

 Mends damaged body and fenders by hammering out or 
 filling in dents and welding broken parts.

 Replaces and adjusts headlights and installs and repairs 
 accessories such as radios, heaters, mirrors, and windshield 
 wipers.

 Disassembles and rebuilds components by fitting and installing 
 needed parts such as rings, pistons, bearings, and gears.

 Aligns, meshes, and connects repaired units to related mechanisms 
 and makes adjustments to assure proper operation of units.

 Adjusts ignition timing and valves and adjusts or replaces spark 
 plugs and other parts to ensure efficient engine performance.

 Installs air conditioners and service components such as 
 compressors and condensers.

 Aligns and balances wheels and repairs steering and suspension
 systems.

 Adjusts brakes, replaces brake linings and pads, repairs hydraulic
 cylinders, and makes other repairs to the brake system.

 Cleans radiators, locates and solders leaks, and installs new 
 radiator cores in vehicles.

 Overhauls and repairs electrical systems and components.

 Replaces defective wiring and electrical units in vehicles such 
 as starters and generators.

 Repairs and replaces gear trains, couplings, hydraulic pumps, 
 and other components of automatic transmission systems.

 In making repairs uses a variety of tools, equipment, and testing
 devices such as pneumatic wrenches to remove bolts; lathes 
 and grinding machines to rebuild brakes and other parts; welding 
 and flame cutting equipment to repair exhaust systems; ammeters, 
 ohmmeters, and voltmeters to locate electrical system malfunction; 
 motor analyzers, spark plug testers, or compression gauges to 
 locate mechanical problems; wheel balancing equipment to 
 balance wheels; scientific testing equipment to help adjust and 
 locate malfunctions in fuel, ignition, and emission control systems; 
 and common handtools such as screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches 
 to work on small parts and get to hard to reach places.

 Consults manufacturer or other manuals or charts to identify
 replacement parts or ascertain specified dimensions and 
 tolerances of components.

 Welds broken parts and structural members.

 May direct workers engaged in cleaning parts and assisting 
 with assembly and disassembly of equipment.

 Traces and locates defects and causes of mechanical problems 
 to determine type and extent of repairs.

 Overhauls, rebuilds, repairs, and services diesel, gasoline, and 
 other types of combustion engines, automatic and nonautomatic 
 transmissions, heavy duty drive line systems, hydraulic utility 
 systems, and controls.

 Selects and makes repairs in accord with appropriate repair
 specifications, manuals, and procedures.

 Fits and installs parts such as pistons, valves, bearings, gears, 
 and cylinders to appropriate tolerances and makes appropriate 
 adjustments in accord with specifications and guidelines.

 Connects, aligns, and adjusts mechanical components to 
 assure proper operation of the vehicle.

 Repairs cross driver or similar multisystem transmissions.

 Repairs large and powerful 12 cylinder engines with pistons 
 which directly power multiple hydraulic and pneumatic systems 
 and large multiple, interconnected engine systems.

 Overhauls a variety of intricate fuel injection systems.

 Overhauls and rebuilds transmissions such as those which 
 have braking, steering, and differential systems mechanically 
 integrated with the transmission.

 Drives a vehicle such as a pick up truck, tow truck and so 
 forth to various locations to service disabled motor vehicles.

 Examines and discusses with operator the nature of the 
 malfunctions, manipulates gears, examines battery, checks 
 fan belt, raises and lowers attachment on equipment, and 
 diagnoses problems and makes needed adjustments and 
 repairs.

 Takes the lead and gives suitable assignments to those 
 assigned as helpers.

 Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
 and/or manual recording and computerized information 
 systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

 REQUIREMENTS

 EXPERIENCE

 Three (3) years of experience in the maintenance and 
 repair of various types of motor vehicles and/or construction 
 equipment such as bulldozers, tractors, cranes, road graders, 
 power shovels, or similar equipment.

 NOTE: Possession of a certificate showing successful 
 completion of a vocational-educational training program in automotive 
 mechanics approved by the New Jersey Department of Education may 
 be substituted for one (1) year of experience indicated above.

 NOTE:  Possession of a certificate as an automotive mechanic 
 issued by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
 may be substituted for one (1) year of the work experience indicated above.

 LICENSE

 Appointees will be required to possess a valid New Jersey
 driver's license.

 Appointees may be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's
 License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type 
 of vehicle being operated.

 NOTE:  The responsibility for ensuring that employees 
 possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate 
 with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the 
 Appointing Authority.

 In accordance with Federal regulation 82:40, appointees responsible 
 for the repair or servicing of motor vehicle air conditioners will be
 required to obtain and maintain a valid Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
 Technician, commensurate with the type of equipment serviced, issued
 by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

 In accordance with NJSA 13:20-47.15, appointees responsible for
 performing the emmissions inspections on diesel-powered vehicles 
 will be required to successfully complete a course of Instruction on 
 Diesel Emission Inspection provided through the Appointing Authority.
 Appointees may be required to successfully complete re-training.

 In accordance with the New Jersey Occupational Safety and Health
 Administration regulation 20 CFR 1910.178(l) (1), appointees 
 responsible for the operation of industrial trucks (powered forklifts)
 will be required to obtain and maintain a current certification as a
 Powered Industrial Truck Operator issued by the New Jersey
 Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  Appointees may 
 be required to successfully complete re-training.

 In accordance with NJSA 13:20-45.16, appointees responsible 
 for performing emissions repairs to gasoline-fueled vehicles will be
 required to successfully complete the Emissions Technical Educational
 Program, and maintain a current certification as an Emissions Repairer
 Technician.

 In accordance with NJSA 13:20-43.17, appointees responsible for
 performing inspections to motor vehicles will be required to 
 successfully complete the training and maintain a current certification 
 as a Motor Vehicle Inspector.

 Appointees responsible for repairing or servicing motor vehicles
 equipped for alternate fuel will be required to successfully complete 
 training and obtain an Alternate Fuel Certification.  Appointees who
 possess an ASE Certification in Alternate Fuel are considered to 
 have met this requirement.
 
 Appointees responsible for repair and servicing of suspension/steering
 systems are required to possess and maintain an Automobile Service 
 Excellence (ASE) Certification in Suspension and Steering.

 Appointees responsible for repair and servicing of brakes are 
 required to obtain an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) 
 Certification in Brake Repairs.

 Appointees may also be required to obtain ASE certifications 
 in Engine Repair A-1 and Engine Performance A-8.
 
 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
 
 Knowledge of where and how a variety of automotive systems,
 components, accessories, and parts of systems such as wheel 
 cylinders, fuel lines, condensers, and mufflers are installed.

 Knowledge of varied types of motors and equipment and their operation.

 Knowledge of procedures for diagnosing the reasons for motor failure
 and the steps necessary to correct the condition.

 Knowledge of makeup, operation, and installation procedures for all
 components and systems of vehicles such as engines, transmissions,
 front and rear-end assemblies, electrical, and hydraulic systems.

 Knowledge of the mechanical makeup, operation, and working
 relationships of a variety of heavy duty systems, assemblies, and
 parts such as diesel, multifuel, and gasoline engines including
 supercharged and turbocharged engines, automatic and nonautomatic
 transmissions, and gear reductions systems including those with torque
 converters, planetary gears, and more than one gear range, and
 driveline assemblies including differentials, power dividers, and dual
 speed axles, hydraulic lifting, loading, turning, and positioning
 systems including their mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls.

 Ability to determine the mechanical defects which cause engines,
 transmissions, hydraulic systems, and other major systems and 
 their components to fail to operate properly.

 Ability to use a wide range of diagnostic and testing equipment
 including electrical, electronic, light, and pressure types to
 determine cause of mechanical problems such as engine analyzers
 dynomometers, exhaust analyzers, vacuum and fuel pump testers,
 injector testers, ignition timers, tachometers, ammeters, and
 ohmmeters.

 Ability to use technical manuals, specifications, diagrams,
 schematics, and similar guides to make repairs and modifications 
 to equipment.

 Ability to improvise, substitute, and alter parts to fit and mesh in
 systems for which the parts were not designed or when technical
 manuals, diagrams, schematics, or similar guides do not apply.

 Ability to disassemble, rebuild, adjust, reassemble, reinstall, and
 align various automotive components and assemblies.

 Ability to manipulate small objects with the fingers such as bolts,
 ignition wiring, points, plugs, and measuring instruments.

 Ability to determine when parts should be cleaned and reinstalled 
 or removed and replaced with standard parts and the types and 
 extent of adjustment and alignment required.

 Ability to make tuneup adjustments and settings such as setting 
 points and timing engines according to specifications.

 Ability to obtain, store, record, safeguard, and properly use
 equipment, materials, and supplies.

 Ability to read diagrams, blue prints, and schematics.

 Ability to use mechanic hand tools and small power tools 
 such as pliers, screw drivers, pneumatic wrenches, and drills.

 Ability to use a variety of test equipment such as feeler 
 gauges, circuit testing, timing lights, dwell meters, dial 
 gauges, oscilloscopes, exhaust analyzers, and engine 
 and chasis dynamometers.

 Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
 recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
 related units.

 Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English
 sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign
 Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms 
 of communication.
 
 Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long
 as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without
 reasonable accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be 
 made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, 
 such persons may not be eligible.

 CODE:   02434    1/31/2009
 
 DUAL TITLE CODE: 05357

 This job specification is for local government use only.