Special Heavy Motor Equipment Operator/Public Works Laborer

Somerville is a city that upholds progressive principles for both employees and residents. The City of Somerville embraces and encourages an innovative, empowering, and collaborative workplace culture in a fast-paced, challenging environment. The City also offers a generous benefits package that embodies a strong work-life balance. Not only is Somerville a “Model City,” as termed by The Boston Globe, it is also a model employer.

Statement of Duties

Under direction of the parks foreman or his/her agents, the Special Heavy Motor Equipment Operator/Public Works Laborer operates any piece of motor driven equipment including sweepers, trucks, snow fighters, front end loaders, and backhoes, in a proper and safe manner in order to perform all assigned work. Loads and unloads trucks; picks up and hauls material; plows and sands; greases, oils and cleans equipment and performs minor maintenance; performs unskilled labor duties of which the following are typical examples: digging holes, trenches and other excavations; shoveling materials and leveling areas; operating jackhammers and compaction equipment; loading and unloading materials; emptying barrels and cleaning litter and debris from parks, runways, parking lots; mowing grass, trimming shrubs/small trees using hand or powered equipment; removing snow/ice using manual or small powered equipment; spreading sand on icy areas; using small hand tools, i.e. shovels, picks, axes, saws, heavy wrenches and small power tools. Performs all other duties that may be assigned.

The hours for this position are Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm

This is a safety sensitive position.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications                                                                 

Ability to receive and interpret written and verbal instructions from supervisors and to give written and verbal reports to supervisors.

Must have ability to use tools of trade in a workmanlike manner.

Must possess valid Class B Massachusetts motor vehicle operator’s license with a CDL.

Must possess a valid Hoist Engineer Class 2B License or obtain within 120 days of appointment.

Must be in good health and capable of hard physical work in extreme weather conditions.

Must possess proven history of dependability due to nature of work.

Must pass a practical test.

Must have a safe driving record.  Subject to yearly Motor Vehicle Record/Driver’s License check.

Must be computer literate (knowledge and skills to use a computer, tablet, and other related technology) or willing to train on technology to be used in the performance of the job.

Work Environment               

Work requires agility and physical strength, ability to function in close quarters, and is subject to outside environmental conditions, including wet, hot and cold weather.  Worker is subject to noise, vibrations, hazards and atmospheric conditions including fumes, dust and air contaminants.  Work requires some agility and physical strength, such as moving in, about or over rough terrain, or standing or walking most of the work period.      

Physical and Mental Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, crawl, sit, talk, move about, hear and speak. Noise level may be high when operating power equipment. Employee is exposed to outside weather conditions as a regular part of job.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and greater than 50 pounds using appropriate equipment.

Motor Skills

While performing the duties, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with City staff.  The position requires balancing, pushing, pulling, grasping, feeling and repetitive motion to complete tasks.

Visual Skills

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to use properly use such safety equipment as is appropriate to the work to prevent injury to self or others.  Visual acuity is required to operate motor vehicles and heavy equipment.

Send your resume and cover letter by Monday, March 15, 2021 to:

City Hall Personnel Office
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
Fax: 617-666-4426
TTY: 1-866-808-4851
Email: employment_opportunities@somervillema.gov

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.