Equipment Operator

Amherst Equipment Operator - Tree & Grounds Division

Performs a variety of skilled tasks and operates a variety of equipment associated with tree care and landscaping. This position is considered essential and must report to work in inclement weather and other situations where usual Town operations are disrupted.

Major Duties:

• Performs a variety of skilled tasks and operates a variety of equipment associated with tree care and landscaping, including tree pruning, tree removal, stump grinding, tree planting, felling and flat-cutting trees, and pruning from the ground.
• Responds to tree related emergency calls.
• Operates Department of Public Works trucks and equipment as necessary to meet the goals of the Department, including the street sweeper, roadside mower, vac-truck, and snow removal equipment.
• Operates chippers, aerial lifts, loaders, excavators, mowers stump grinders, and hand pole saws, power saws, chainsaws, mechanized broom, snowplows, jackhammers, and other power equipment.
• Operates the aerial lift for tree maintenance, to hang banners, and to assist other departments with their aerial maintenance needs.
• Performs work in three cemeteries in Town, including opening and closing graves, trimming, mowing, loaming, seeding, and pruning.
• Assists with Town common maintenance and with work on pools, on athletic fields, and in parks.
• Clears snow from roads, parking lots, and sidewalks.
• Performs routine inspection and preventive maintenance on assigned equipment and reports defects or needed repairs to supervisor; Cleans equipment; Performs minor repairs and equipment maintenance, including changing oil, hydraulic, and torque fluids.
• Performs all duties in conformance with appropriate safety and security standards. Acts as essential personnel, reporting to work in inclement weather and in other situations where usual Town operations are disrupted. Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School degree or GED equivalent PLUS four (4) years of experience involving the use of light equipment, two (2) of which must have been related to tree care or the landscape industry; OR equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating the ability to successfully perform the duties of the position.
• Valid Massachusetts class B CDL with endorsements for air brakes and tanker or ability to receive within one (1) year of hire.
• Massachusetts 2A Hoisting Engineer License or ability to receive within one (1) year of hire.
• Massachusetts 4G Mowers License or ability to receive within one (1) year of hire.
• Considerable knowledge of light-equipment operating principles.
• Working knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions common to equipment operations.
• Working knowledge of the methods, materials and tools used in tree care maintenance and landscape construction work.
• Skill in operation of listed tools and equipment.
• Ability to perform heavy manual tasks under varying weather conditions.
• Ability to drive and operate a variety of equipment under varying conditions.
• Ability to work from construction specifications or blueprints.
• Ability to identify native tree species and soils.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal or written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and the public.