Occ. Code 6921000

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, GRADE 8	6921000
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, GRADE 7	6921200

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

Incumbents of positions in these classes operate a variety of self-propelled equipment in the construction, repair and maintenance of highways, canals and grounds. They also maintain their equipment by performing specific routine maintenance tasks.

All positions of Highway Equipment Operator and Construction Equipment Operator are in the non-competitive jurisdictional class.

Highway Equipment Operators as members of a work crew are characterized by both the performance of laboring tasks and the operation at least one-third of the time of light self-propelled equipment such as small front end loaders, road graders of eight tons or less, maintainers, tractor mowers, patching rollers under ten tons, bituminous sprayers, tree sprayers, pulvimixers, mud jacks, eductors, catch basin cleaners, gunite equipment, self-propelled loaders and snowplows with or without wing attachments.

Similarly, Construction Equipment Operators as members of a work crew are characterized by both the performance of laboring tasks and the operation at least one-third of the time of heavier and more complex self-propelled equipment than Highway Equipment Operators. Such equipment includes road graders over eight tons, six-ton brush cutters, windrow-type loaders, large front end loaders, truck mounted zone stripers, bituminous pavers, gravel mix plants, pavement breakers and rollers ten tons and over.

There are a number of other classes, the incumbents of which operate motorized equipment in repair, maintenance and construction projects. For example, Crane and Shovel Operators operate the largest and most complex self-propelled equipment on construction, repair and maintenance projects. Such equipment includes mobile cranes, power shovels and gradalls. Motor Vehicle Operators drive a variety of self-propelled vehicles including automobiles, buses, trucks and ambulances to transport people, material and equipment. Classes such as Maintenance Helpers and Grounds Workers are assigned to operate mechanical equipment such as lawn mowers, rotary brush cutters, compressors, generators, mixers, sprayers, clippers and power saws. Construction Equipment Operators and Highway Equipment Operators may operate equipment typically operated by these other classes.

Operates, at least one-third of the time, one or more of the machines mentioned as appropriate for the class on highway, canal and grounds construction, repair and maintenance projects.

• Performs task indigenous to assigned machine according to instructions received from supervisor.

Construction Equipment Operator

• Operates a bituminous paver to spread paving material over road surface.
• Operates tandem axle rollers over ten tons in weight to compact freshly paved road surface according to established guidelines.
• Operates self-propelled sweepers to clean roads of dirt and debris.
• Operates front end loaders to load gravel onto trucks.

Highway Equipment Operator

• Operates heavy dump trucks to transport paving material to paving operations.
• Operates mud jacks to pump lime and cement slurry mixture under settled concrete slabs to restore them to their original line.
• Operates maintainer to push ridges of dirt from under side guard rails out onto the slope side of the road.
• Operates heavy dump trucks with plow, wing and spreader attachments to simultaneously plow snow and control ice.
• Operates eductor truck to remove dirt and debris from catch basins and drop inlets.
• Checks fluid levels, tire pressure, safety devices and control mechanisms of machines prior to operation.
• Starts, stops, steers and controls machine in a safe, efficient and effective manner to perform assigned tasks.
• Monitors gauges and fluid levels of machine during operation.
• Maintains daily record of work performed and materials used.

Performs routine maintenance and repairs on machine to insure safe and efficient operations.

• Pumps gas and adds or drains water and/or antifreeze to radiator, oil to crankcase, air to tires and hydraulic fluid to reservoirs.
• Changes tires on machine as needed.
• Replaces burned-out or broken lamp bulbs.
• Washes machine after use.
• Changes oil and spark plugs.
• Changes oil, fuel, air and hydraulic filters.

May perform tasks and activities listed in the Standard for Laborer #6961000.

May on occasion, operate equipment listed as appropriate for either of the classes described in this standard, Motor Vehicle Operator, Crane and Shovel Operator or Maintenance Helper.

The tasks performed by incumbents of positions in these classes are primarily thing-oriented so interpersonal relationships are not a classification factor. Incumbents of both classes reply to questions from supervisors regarding problems encountered on work projects. Highway Equipment Operators exchange information with other crew members on the same project to provide assistance in completing assigned projects. Construction Equipment Operators where they act as crew leaders provide advice and assistance to crew members to aid in completing assignments.

Positions in these classes are basically non-supervisory but at times Construction Equipment Operators may act as a lead worker in a small crew providing advice and assistance to crew members. Incumbents of positions in the Construction Equipment Operator class are supervised by higher level supervisor or maintenance positions. The supervisors make work assignments, provide general instructions on how the work should be performed and assign the equipment to be used. Work is checked by the supervisors in progress and at its completion for adherence to instructions. Highway Equipment Operators are supervised by higher level supervisor or maintenance positions. Their supervision is similar to that received by the Construction Equipment Operators.

Positions in these classes operate any of the machines listed as appropriate for their class in this standard. They also use wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers and assorted other hand tools to perform routine maintenance and repair work on machines. They also on occasion may operate equipment listed as appropriate for the other class described in this standard and Motor Vehicle Operator, Crane and Shovel Operator and Maintenance Helper.

• Good knowledge of the operation of a variety of self-propelled equipment.
• Basic knowledge of the Vehicle and Traffic Law as it applies to the safe and legal operation of the assigned equipment.
• Basic knowledge of the routine repair and maintenance work needed by equipment.
• Ability to operate assigned machine in a safe and effective manner.
• Ability to understand and follow simple oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform routine repairs and maintenance on equipment.
• Ability to perform medium to heavy physical labor.

Construction Equipment Operator

One year of experience in the operation of equipment noted as appropriate for this class and the possession of a valid New York State driver’s license appropriate for the type of vehicle operated.

Highway Equipment Operator

One year of experience in the operation of tractors or other self-propelled equipment and possession of a valid New York State driver’s license appropriate for the type of vehicle operated.

Reviewed: 9/02 

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.