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Are you searching for an equipment operator job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an equipment operator. Feel free to use our equipment operator job description template to produce your own equipment operator job description. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an equipment operator.

 

Who is an Equipment Operator?

Equipment operators are employees that are tasked with handling and maintaining specific company equipment. They are skilled professionals who have been taught how to manage every aspect of the specific equipment, from simple operation to repair. They operate the machinery and monitor adherence to safety protocols. Along with overseeing the machinery, they are also responsible for maintenance and repairs. They are in charge of making sure the device operates as intended, debugging any issues that may arise, and fixing any issues. Equipment operators are trustworthy, dependable, and careful. An equipment operator can receive training in a variety of ways, with the most popular being on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and training programs that lead to a certification or certificate of completion. There are many various types of equipment operator employment, and as a result, there are several duties and activities that are carried out by equipment operators.

Equipment operators guide cars and other machinery through mines, drilling rigs, and construction zones. In essence, machinery operators set up a predetermined spot for construction or drilling. Construction equipment including bulldozers, all-terrain forklifts, mobile cranes, and backhoes may be used by them. Transporting tools and materials, as well as levelling or otherwise modifying the ground, are the responsibilities of equipment operators. They might help build factories or other facilities for the commercial sector, or they might help with government infrastructure projects like building or repairing bridges, highways, and railroads. To effectively evaluate distances, all equipment operators should have keen visual perception skills. To comprehend the essential concepts involved in operating the machinery, they need also possess a mechanical aptitude and background in auto repair. Because of the global positioning system (GPS) technology, employees might need to show some computer ability. Many of the more recent vehicles built with electronic controls require equipment operators to have a basic understanding of electronics to operate.

There are several opportunities for industry experts to progress in their careers. They might decide to work as on-site managers, contract entrepreneurs, or course teachers. Equipment operators must do their duties outdoors, on-site, in all weather conditions, and on any surface, typically from early in the morning until late in the day. They can be required to work evenings, weekends, or swing shifts, depending on the project. The labour is difficult and perilous. As a result, employees need to be vigilant at all times. These experts frequently focus on driving a particular kind of car. They may, for instance, operate equipment to dig trenches, excavate construction sites, or lift heavy machinery. They may also drive trucks that transport a variety of heavy building materials on flatbed lowboy trailers to the designated site. They could also drive vehicles to plough roads or grade land. Vehicles are inspected by equipment operators to verify their safety. They must also perform repairs on or help with h maintenance of the construction vehicles.

An associate’s degree or equivalent is required to work as an equipment operator. While some professions for heavy equipment operators call for a credential from a junior college or vocational school, many of them offer on-the-job training through an apprenticeship. In all cases, these programs offer instruction in the fundamentals of operating heavy machinery so that you can develop the abilities and credentials required for this career. Along with training requirements, several states also have licensing requirements. You must continually adhere to health and safety laws and be able to accept directions from superiors if you want to succeed as an equipment operator. Outstanding machine operators should have excellent hand-foot coordination and always seek ways to increase productivity.

 

Equipment Operator Job Description

What is an equipment operator job description? An equipment operator job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of an equipment operator in an organization. Below are the equipment operator job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an equipment operator job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

The duties and responsibilities of an equipment operator include the following:

• Obey the heavy equipment’s primary and secondary operations and maintenance manual.
• Inspect regular preventive maintenance of equipment.
• Read grade stakes, follow site grading and operations plans, and work in a medium-to-fine grade setting.
• Utilize equipment effectively for twelve hours every day, regardless of the weather or the surface.
• Follow the General Manager’s or Supervisor’s instructions when doing landfill operations chores.
• Utilize heavy equipment safely, effectively, and by the law, policy, and procedures.
• Decide on the best procedures and the necessary equipment for the project together with the onsite superintendent.
• Promote your personal growth by being open to corporate training.
• Use heavy machinery like bulldozers, front-end loaders, gradually, maintainers, and backhoes.
• Make sure that all tools are kept in good condition and utilized by the company’s health and safety policies.
• Maintain equipment by cleaning, lubricating and carrying out regular safety checks on them.
• Ensure that equipment is placed appropriately before loading and unloading them or turning them on and off.
• Teach new crew members how to use machinery safely.
• Carry out additional required construction-related tasks.
• Pay attention to how concrete and other materials are distributed safely.
• Report any mistakes right once to the foreman or supervisor.
• Ensure that areas are kept secure and clean.
• Attend seminars and refresher training to ensure that the equipment is operated responsibly.
• Locate issues and troubleshoot the equipment as necessary.
• Support operators with equipment upkeep and inventory availability checks.
• Utilize and care for the tools and materials.
• Encourage the improvement of environmental practices and workplace safety.
• Use front-end loaders, skid steers, excavators, and bulldozers.
• Operate the mechanical equipment and attachments on the vehicle.
• Operate pickup trucks and light equipment, as well as service trucks and big equipment.

 

Qualifications

• GED/High school diploma is required.
• Safety certification and relevant license are required.
• Applicants that have completed apprenticeship stand are more at an advantage.
• Previous experience as an equipment operator is essential.
• Outstanding teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to heed orders, especially when under pressure is required.
• Ability to manage time and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of health and safety codes is required.
• Applicants must have a positive outlook and an eagerness to learn.
• Physical stamina is required.

 

Essential Skills

• Technical skills: Technical skills are essential for equipment operators to comprehend and use machinery. Reading, writing, math, and computer proficiency are examples of technical skills. Equipment operators must be able to read and comprehend instructions, manuals, and safety protocols. To keep track of their work and fuel usage, they also need to be able to conduct mathematical computations.
• Communication skills: Equipment operators must be able to communicate effectively with their teammates and managers. They must be able to read and comprehend written manuals and directions. They also need to be able to speak verbally with their bosses and coworkers. This comprises the capacity to pay attention to and comprehend others as well as the capacity to communicate clearly with others.
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills: Given that you frequently collaborate on projects with other people, interpersonal skills are crucial. Because each team member is accountable for their obligations, teamwork is crucial to meeting deadlines and accomplishing projects. You might utilize your interpersonal skills to let them know that you need assistance using a machine or finishing a task. Since you operate in a team, teamwork is an element of your interpersonal skills. While you are running heavy machinery, your team can assist you in navigating tight spaces.
• Problem-solving skills: To operate their apparatus safely and effectively, equipment operators need to be able to recognize issues and find solutions. This can involve recognizing when a piece of machinery requires maintenance, observing when a machine is broken, or determining when a piece of machinery is not functioning properly. Equipment operators must also be able to spot and address problems that can occur when using their tools, such as when a piece of equipment might be slipping or in danger of overheating.
• Knowledge of equipment maintenance: Employers seek an equipment operator with the capacity to maintain equipment with great care. Operators clean heavy machinery thoroughly as a matter of course after each use. The routines for reactive and preventive maintenance are regularly addressed. Periodically, operators may clean and lubricate parts, check oil levels, and change oil filters. Operators can guarantee that they start the task without generating delays by performing good equipment maintenance. Additionally, they keep track of repair and maintenance schedules and warranty policies.
• Troubleshooting skills: Operators must have the ability to troubleshoot because they occasionally work in distant locations or on challenging terrain without access to technicians. A problem with a single piece of heavy machinery might halt operations or interrupt operations for other operators and workers at the mining or construction site. Temperature fluctuations, mechanical problems, and overload on the hydraulic or electrical systems are major reasons for heavy equipment failure. When driving or using the equipment, an experienced operator may see and foresee potential issues and take action to resolve them as soon as possible. Operators are typically capable of identifying symptoms in advance, identifying the problem’s root cause, resolving the issue, checking the functionality of equipment before it is put to use, following up on problems to avoid further breakdowns, and maintaining logs of each breakdown and the corresponding corrective actions.
• Physical Strength:  Equipment operators need to be physically strong because it helps them do their responsibilities more effectively. Since this job involves a lot of physical labour, having strong muscles might help you finish tasks more quickly and lower your risk of injury. You can work longer shifts and move heavier objects if your muscles are stronger, which may enhance productivity and get you better performance reports at work.

 

How to Become an Equipment Operator

Step 1. Obtain an education

For entry into a technical school, equipment operators must have a high school diploma or GED. Future heavy equipment operators may find a shop, math, and auto technology classes in high school helpful. There are historically three ways to obtain a degree in heavy machinery operation. The first two include joining a union or a state apprenticeship program to receive extensive on-the-job training and the chance to find employment after completing the program. The third option is attending college or a technical institute that offers training and prepares students for licensing. Private vocational schools provide extensive coursework and in-depth fieldwork. Grade reading, soils, laser levels, and the maintenance and safety of equipment will all be covered in class. It could be necessary to take math classes that cover volume calculations. Some schools have practice areas for ditch digging, pipe laying, and clearing land. In various weather conditions, students are required to execute assignments in realistic construction zones.

Step 2. Go for an apprenticeship to acquire training and experience

To guarantee that the instruction is in line with other training programs, a school may provide courses that have third-party certification. The program should involve instruction in obtaining a commercial driver’s license, which is a requirement for many operator jobs that require operating construction vehicles and should take three years or longer to finish. The International Union of Operating Engineers may offer apprenticeship programs for aspiring equipment operators. These students receive extensive training in a range of vehicular activities, preparing them to be adaptable future workers. This program includes 6,000 hours of paid hands-on practice in addition to some classroom instruction, typically lasting over 140 hours. The training gives certification and could take three to four years to finish. Some private businesses provide entry-level employees with rudimentary training and supervised jobs. There may be a vehicle-specific training cap. For people who have had relevant experience, this choice might be appropriate. However, these individuals might not have the formal education or adaptability that is frequently required for future job prospects.

Step 3. Earn certifications and licensure

Equipment operators may require a certificate or license to operate machinery, depending on the position or employer. For instance, to operate mobile or tower cranes, a crane operator must have a state license or certification from a national body like The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators. Operators may complete continuing education requirements and go through a renewal process (which may involve retesting) to keep certifications current. Certifications are valid for five years. Consistent employment and promotion chances are ensured by maintaining certificates and licenses. Written and practical exams are part of the certification and licensing exams. Mechanical aptitude or comprehension, math, and basic computation, problem-solving situations, and inspection and measuring skills are all tested in written tests. Practical exams involve completing a series of circuits of tasks that the instructor has assigned. Exams measure one’s aptitude for using machinery and hand-eye coordination.

Step 4. Obtain a commercial driver’s license

Transporting heavy equipment between job sites may require equipment operators to operate trucks and trailers. Therefore, Equipment Operators require a commercial driver’s license, or CDL, for that. State-by-state requirements differ, and some technical colleges or apprenticeships may provide courses that include obtaining a CDL.

 

Where to Work as an Equipment Operator

Equipment operators usually work outdoors. They typically work in various construction and construction-related industries transporting soil, assembling, and also installing other construction materials. They are employed in industries like farming, mining, transportation, and ground maintenance. They might put in extended shifts, which might include weekends and holidays, and they might be available all time of the day as well.

 

Equipment Operator Salary Scale

The amount paid to equipment operators varies according to their level of education and experience, the size of the organization, and the location. They might also receive extra pay as additional remuneration. The annual income for an Equipment Operator in the United States is $68,550 on average, with a typical range of $57,331 to $77,770. In Nigeria, the average annual salary for an equipment operator is roughly 1,260,000 NGN. From 592,800 NGN to 1,992,000 NGN is the salary range. In the UK, an equipment operator makes an average yearly pay of £23,400. The starting salary for entry-level jobs is £21,216 per year, while the average yearly salary for experienced workers is £32,040.

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