Under general supervision of the Public Works Manager, the Lead Public Works Operator provides leadership and direction and participates in the operation of light and heavy equipment in construction, maintenance and repair of City streets, storm drains, and related projects. This position provides day-to-day and onsite direction and guidance to crew members such as street operators, community service workers, and temporary personnel; ensures compliance with safety and quality standards; coordinates work schedules and special projects; and performs a variety of skilled maintenance tasks as required.<br><br><strong><u>DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS</u></strong><br>The Lead Public Works Operator is a working lead position responsible for the day-to-day crew oversight, planning, and quality control. This classification is distinguished from the Operator III in that it emphasizes delegated day-to-day supervisory responsibilities such as crew scheduling, coordinating with other city departments, and serving as the primary on-site lead for street projects and events. The Lead Public Works Operator is expected to independently resolve operational issues, recommend improvements, and ensure that all aspects of Public Works facilities are safe, attractive, and well-maintained.<br><br><strong><u>SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED</u></strong><br>Receives general supervision from the Public Works Operations Manager.<br>Exercises daily leadership over all operators, seasonal staff, and community service workers.<em><strong>Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:</strong></em><ul><li>Plans, schedules, and assigns daily maintenance and repair activities for streets, curbs, gutter sidewalks, and storm drains to crew members.</li><li>Provides leadership and assistance to subordinate operators on assigned projects; provides employee training.</li><li>Assists in estimating materials for projects and repairs.</li><li>Inspects the work of subordinates and contractors for compliance with department policies and procedures, standards of quality and safety, and approved plans and specifications.</li><li>Trains crew in all aspects of herbicide and insecticide applications. This includes safe handling, mixing, PPEs, reporting, and record keeping.  Have ability to calibrate equipment and read labels for use rates. Provide mix rates for crew. Keep up to date on current application practices, new herbicides, and state or federal laws.</li><li>Performs weed abatement duties related to public works projects and operations.</li><li>Responds to emergency situations with appropriate equipment as required.</li><li>Cleans, maintains, and performs minor adjustments to equipment as necessary.</li><li>Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.</li><li>Inspects work in progress and completed projects to ensure compliance with safety, quality, and City standards.</li><li>Monitors inventory of materials, tools, and supplies; request purchases and ensures proper use and maintenance of equipment.</li><li>Prepares and maintains records, reports, work orders, and equipment logs. Trains and assists Streets crew with technical support for any Computer Maintenance Management System that is in place.</li><li>Receives and responds in a professional manner to inquiries, requests for assistance, concerns, and complaints from the public regarding public works projects and programs.</li><li>Oversees traffic control efforts around work sites, including setting up barricades, warning signs and cones, and flagging traffic. Proficient in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidelines.</li><li>Trains and operates heavy power-driven equipment in the construction and maintenance of public works projects, such as city streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and storm drains. </li><li>Transports and tows various pieces of equipment to and from job sites; loads and hauls water, gravel, rock, debris, and various other materials to and from construction sites.</li><li>Designs, sets forms, and finishes concrete for sidewalks, curbs, gutters, wheelchair ramps, etc.</li><li>Fabricates, installs, maintains, and repairs street signs, paints street and parking lot markings. </li><li>Performs heavy manual labor duties as required, including but not limited to shoveling and spreading gravel, sand, asphalt, and other materials on streets; assisting with paving and patching streets; laying pipes for sewer and storm drains. </li><li>Locates and marks underground sewer and storm drain lines for private contractors and utility companies.</li><li>Operates vehicles, various trucks, grader, loader, backhoe, paving machine, street sweeper, sewer jet rodder, street roller, manlift, tamper, lawn care equipment, concrete mixer; operates or uses a TV van / camera, diagnostic tools, masonry tools, carpentry tools, mechanic’s tools, plumbing tools, welding tools, various other common hand, and power tools, measuring devices, meters, and safety gear.</li><li>Works during evenings, weekends and holidays as scheduled for special events or inclement weather.</li><li>Performs the duties of Public Works Operations Manager in his/her absence.</li><li>Performs other duties, assists with special projects or assignments as assigned.</li></ul><strong><u>Knowledge of</u></strong>:<ul><li>Departmental policies, procedures and standards related to public works maintenance and construction projects including Municipal Code and Improvement Standards that relate to the Public Works Department</li><li>Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances including safety standards, OSHA regulations, ANSI standards, city municipal code, improvement standards and safe work practices.</li><li>Modern principles, practices, techniques, equipment, materials, and tools used in public works construction and maintenance operations.</li><li>Safe and proper operation and maintenance needs of heavy construction/maintenance equipment; safe and proper use of other tools and equipment used in public works construction and maintenance operations.</li><li>Safe and proper use of herbicides for roadside, airport, alleys, and ditches. Stay up to date on Federal and State laws pertaining to pesticides.</li><li>General use and purpose of construction and maintenance materials.</li><li>Principles of work scheduling, crew leadership, and supervision.</li><li>Methods of training and leadership.</li><li>Recordkeeping and reporting methods including any 311 Public Reporting System, Computer Maintenance Management System, and time sheet software.</li></ul><strong><u>Ability to</u></strong><strong>:</strong><ul><li>Plan, assign, and monitor the work of crews to meet schedules and deadlines.</li><li>Read, understand, and apply pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations.</li><li>Train, mentor, and evaluate employees. Including performance evaluations. Give input on disciplinary actions when needed. </li><li>Read and understand complex plans, specifications and blueprints including concrete designs, storm drain design, and any other areas within Public Works</li><li>Train staff and have ability to operate a wide range of vehicles, tools, and maintenance equipment safely and effectively.</li><li>Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials, and detect deviations from plans, specifications, regulations, and standard construction practices.</li><li>Perform heavy construction work and heavy manual labor work.</li><li>Safely operate assigned equipment and tools, work safely in heavy traffic or limited space conditions.</li><li>Accurately estimate equipment and materials required to complete assigned projects.</li><li>Read and write at a level required for successful job performance.</li><li>Maintain accurate work records, prepare routine reports, and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.</li><li>Perform mathematical computations with accuracy.</li><li>Establish and maintain positive working relationships with city staff, contractors, and the public. </li><li>Meet the physical requirements necessary to perform the required duties safely and effectively.</li></ul><strong><u>Experience</u></strong>:<ul><li>Four (4) years of experience in street, storm drain and sewer system maintenance and construction. </li><li>Supervisory or management experience in an increasingly responsible role in any field is highly desirable.</li></ul><strong><u>Education</u></strong>:<ul><li>High school diploma or GED equivalent. </li><li>Completion of coursework in construction, project management, or other related fields is highly desirable.</li><li>Substitution: Completion of college-level courses in construction, project management, heavy equipment operation or other related courses may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.</li></ul><strong><u>LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS</u></strong><ul><li>Possession and maintenance of a valid California Class A driver’s license. With tanker endorsement and no air brake restrictions</li><li>Possession of a Qualified Applicator’s Certificate (QAC) with categories (B) Landscape Maintenance and (C) Right-of-Ways within one year of appointment.</li><li>California Title 8 Construction Training for Supervisors with DOL certificate within one year of appointment.</li><li>Possession of CPR and First Aid certificates within six (6) months of appointment.</li></ul><strong><u>TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS</u></strong><br>Work is regularly performed in field environment.  Incumbent drives on surface streets, operates heavy machinery on surface streets and construction sites, traverses’ uneven terrain on foot.  Worker may be exposed to traffic and construction hazards, fire hazards, electrical currents, air contaminants, adverse weather conditions, temperature and noise extremes, wetness, humidity, heights, confined spaces, fumes, dusts, odors, toxic or caustic chemicals, pathogens, solvents, grease / oil, vibration.<br>Could also require weekend work or after hours during special events or inclement weather.<br><br><strong><u>TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS</u></strong><br>Requires the mobility and stamina to exert strenuous physical effort in a field environment.   Requires the ability to operate vehicles and heavy equipment; walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and reach while performing field work; lift and/or move up to 50 pounds frequently and up to 100 pounds occasionally; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, and controls. Tasks require visual and sound perception and discrimination, and oral communications ability.<br><br><strong>This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive.  Incumbents may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document.</strong>