Equipment Operator III Lead - Preventative Maintenance

Posting number: 2026-01822

Department: Public Works

Division: Streets & Sidewalks

Job classification: EQUIPMENT OPERATOR III, LEAD

Posting type: Internal/External

Categories: Public Works, Management, Utilities, Construction Maintenance, Construction Trades

Summary

About our opportunity: 

The City of Asheville is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Equipment Operator III, Lead within the Public Works Department, Streets Division. This position works for the Supervisor on the Preventive Maintenance and Repair Crew as a lead for the crew involved in driving and operating vehicles and other equipment with specialized functions that involve the operation of complex mechanisms to complete tasks for various maintenance, repair, and/or construction projects in an assigned department. Typical projects consist of paving, milling, excavating, patching, slide repair, and retaining wall construction. This position utilizes equipment that have mechanisms that are complex to operate,require the highest degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse to perform work to exacting tolerances, as well as equipment included in lower levels in this job family, and provide lead guidance, direction, and training to assigned staff. 

Examples of duties

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude
them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties
may be required and assigned.

Leads and coordinates daily work activities of assigned co-workers: confers with supervisor to obtain direction
regarding work assignments and priorities; organizes tasks to complete assigned work; monitors status of work in
progress and inspects completed work; confers with co-workers; assists with complex/problem situations and
provides technical expertise; and assists with training and instructing co-workers regarding operational procedures
and proper use of equipment.

Maneuvers heavy equipment and operates complex mechanisms involving digging, moving earth and materials,
grading, loading, and performing similar tasks in order to advance projects relating to construction and
maintenance of City roads, grounds, property, utilities, rights-of-way, and other infrastructure; equipment is
primarily driven and operated on-site, but does require some driving over public roads; maneuvers in and around
traffic, crew workers, equipment, utilities, and other obstacles; obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines; and
monitors immediate environment and work area to ensure the safety of operator, other workers, the equipment,
and the public.

Operates excavator, track hoe, and backhoe to perform skilled digging and trenching for maintenance, upkeep, and
construction for assigned department, where exacting tolerances and specifications are required; controls
placement of equipment and determines optimum approach to each digging scenario to minimize destruction of
property and avoid electric, water, sewer, and other public utility lines.

Operates a track or rubber-tired loader with large volume and weight capacities to load materials into trucks or
move them over short distances; positions equipment and controls height, angle, and position of scoop for
optimum delivery of payload; and controls amount, and weight of materials being lifted to avoid exceeding
equipment capacity.

Operates motor-grader, scraper, and excavator with blade attachment to set gradients for large construction and
maintenance projects such as roads, landscaping, embankments, and other projects requiring exacting
specifications related to slope, angle, and pitch; determines appropriate settings and adjusts blades for height,
angle, and pitch to achieve desired outcome; and maneuvers equipment and operates mechanisms to skillfully set
gradient, smooth surfaces, and spread materials.

Operates bulldozer, scraper, and compactor to move earth, gravel, sand, and other materials for large construction
and maintenance projects; and operates mechanisms to establish rough grades or to smooth and compact surfaces
in preparation for pavement, construction, or other work.

Drives large tractor-trailer rigs and low boys to transport and move construction equipment to and from job sites;
positions vehicle to allow for the most efficient and effective loading or unloading of equipment and materials; and
secures all doors, gates, and fasteners to prevent spillage or loss of load.
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