JOB SUMMARY:

Performs skilled and semi-skilled work in the operation of heavy and light trucks, tractors, and small power equipment and tools required to maintain aircraft and vehicle operating surfaces, airfield grounds, airport access-ways, parking lots, walkways and internal street systems. Maintains runways, taxiways, ramps, grounds and other airfield features and structures in compliance with FAA rules and regulations. Ensures that the airfield is free from hazards to aviation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Listed examples are illustrative and representative of the tasks required of this classification, but are not intended to be complete or exhaustive for this position.

• Operates a variety of vehicles including front-end loaders and ten-ton dump trucks with attachments to clear snow and ice from runways, taxiways, ramps, turn-offs, intersections and other airfield surfaces.
• Requires skill and experience in the operation of heavy specialty equipment and vehicles, including snowplows, snow blowers, brooms, and glycol recovery vehicles and in airfield snow removal protocols and practices.
• Operates: tractors, graders, brush-hogs, bulldozer, back hoes, trenchers, flail choppers, boom-axes and other equipment to install and/or maintain access-ways, grasslands, slopes, wetlands and drainage ditches and to repair soil erosion.
• Operates jackhammers, concrete saws, augers, tampers, sand blasters, tar pot with a wand, silicone pumps and self-propelled rollers to repair, remove and or replace damaged or deteriorated pavement and joints from runways, taxiways, ramps, turn-offs, intersections and other airfield surfaces; and parking lots, roadways, walkways, access-ways and other land-side features and fixtures.
• Operates paint striping vehicles, vehicle-mounted paint-stripers and walk-behind paint-stripers to paint walkways, parking lots, roadways, and all runway markers, lines and safety markings.
• Performs operator inspection of all vehicles and heavy equipment prior to each use.
• Performs preventative maintenance checks of assigned equipment and vehicles; replaces fluids; changes oil, hydraulic fluid; applies lubricants.
• Repairs and maintains auxiliary equipment and changes auxiliary equipment to convert equipment for seasonal changes in work assignments.
• May require skill and experience in the fabrication of replacement parts for auxiliary equipment and/or modification of auxiliary equipment, using welding equipment and torches to cut and form sheet metal.
• Repairs fences, gates and other airport security features and fixtures.
• Removes wildlife and other hazards from the airfield.
• Performs general maintenance, such as trash pickup, pavement scrubbing and power washing, of grounds, ramps, parking structures, etc.
• Performs related work, including, but not limited to, shuttle bus operation, security, and terminal maintenance, as required to maintain the safe and secure operation of the airport facilities and infrastructure.

REQURIED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• High school diploma or GED combined with a minimum of three years’ experience in operating diesel-powered heavy trucks or equipment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read and comprehend all safety rules, regulations and requirements related to the work.
• Ability to read and interpret manufacturers’ operating and maintenance manuals for heavy equipment, vehicles, light and hand-held equipment and power tools.
• Basic working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic principles.
• Basic knowledge of landscape and grounds maintenance practices.
• Basic knowledge of pavement maintenance and repair practices.
• Skill in the use and operation of manual and power tools commonly used in landscape and grounds maintenance; maintenance, removal of and repair of concrete and asphalt pavement; and/or heavy vehicle and equipment maintenance.
• Ability to operate two-way radios and other communications devices.
• Working knowledge of standard operator vehicle repair and maintenance practices.
• Prior experience in the operating of heavy construction or excavation equipment.
• Prior experience in airfield maintenance preferred.

NOTES:

1. Candidate must be able to pass required FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check in addition to pre-hire and random drug and alcohol screenings.
2. Employees in this classification are required to possess and maintain a valid, Michigan Commercial Driver’s License with appropriate endorsements. An Employee who does not possess a valid CDL class B with airbrake at the time of hire must obtain one within twelve (12) months of the date of hire. Maintaining a valid CDL requires continuous physical ability to pass the required physical examination and participation in random drug testing.
3. Employees are required to be available and on-call 24 hours per day, seven days per week to respond to airport emergencies and seasonal weather conditions.
4. Employees must be able and available to work overtime and are required to work any and all scheduled and unscheduled overtime, as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to enter and exit all truck and equipment cabs.
• Must be able to raise, lower, properly position and attach auxiliary equipment and components with or without mechanical or other assistance.
• Must be able to simultaneously operate two-way radios, steering mechanisms, vehicle controls and levers operating plow blades, snow blowers, brooms, mower blades and other equipment and vehicle attachments.
• Must be able to apply sufficient torque to wrenches, couplers and other tools and devices in order to attach and detach auxiliary equipment.
• Must be able to descend to and ascent form a kneeling position and bend from the waist in order to access vehicle components and systems, paving and joint components, irrigation system components and other airfield features and fixtures.
• Must possess sufficient manual dexterity and ability to rotate wrists, elbows and shoulders to employ manual and power tools commonly used in airfield maintenance and repair.
• Must possess sufficient visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to properly identify vehicles and objects on runways, taxiways and other airfield surfaces, and to read diagrams, drawings, schematics and other visual layouts.
• Must be able to color match color-coded wiring in electrical circuits in order to identify paired wires.
• Must possess sufficient auditory acuity with or without audiological appliances to cell phones and two-way radios and to identify abnormal sounds caused by faulty mechanical and other operations.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to fuels and other petroleum products, lubricants, deicers, degreasers, coolants, solvents, asphalt, and other compounds used in airfield operations and maintenance.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to dust, dirt, vehicle exhaust fumes and other airborne contaminants.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to extreme noise levels.
• Must be able to work in close proximity to 440-volt power sources and moving mechanical hazards.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to inclement weather and extreme temperatures.
• Must be able to wear protective clothing and equipment as required.