Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Equipment Operator, HARD

Recruitment #15-1138H-01

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for filing.  Postmarks are not accepted. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Postmarks are not accepted.  Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

DESCRIPTION

 HAYWARD AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT

The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District is an independent special use district providing park and recreation services for over 275,000 residents living within a 64 mile area which includes the cities of Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo and the unincorporated Ashland, Cherryland and Fairview districts.  The park district known locally as H.A.R.D. is the largest recreation district  in the state of California.  The mission of the park district is improving the quality of life for citizens of all ages by providing a variety of recreational activities, special events, facilities and services that encourage lifelong fitness and fun.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, operates power mowers and other power equipment, hand mowers, and power and hand trimming machinery and tools in mowing lawns and trimming hedges; performs other groundskeeping duties; and performs related work as required.

Equipment Operators usually work in District facilities with extensive lawn areas. In addition to operating power mowers, this class operates other types of power equipment—Fordson type wheel tractors with loader and attachments, tract laying tractor with dozer and ripper—and hand grounds maintenance equipment, such as weed sprayers, fertilizing machines, leaf mulchers and trimming machines. Incumbents spend a very small percentage of their time planting or caring for shrubs and flowers. In inclement weather, Equipment Operators may do some inside maintenance work, such as painting and repairing small equipment. Equipment Operators report to and are supervised by Senior Equipment Operators.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:
A combination of training and experience which demonstrates that a person has obtained the required knowledge and is able to perform the required work (with reasonable accommodation, if needed). A person with the following combined training and experience would typically qualify to compete in a selection process:

The equivalent of six (6) months of full timeexperience in the class of Caretaker in the Hayward Area Park and Recreation District service.

OR
Experience:

The equivalent of one (1) year of recent full time experience in grounds maintenance work which included operation of power mowers, loaders and tract laying tractors.

License:
Valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license and a good driving record.

Special Requirements:
Federal law requires that positions in the class of Equipment Operator are subject to post offer/pre-placement/pre-duty, reasonable suspicion, post accident, random, return to duty and follow up drug and alcohol testing.

NOTE:
The Civil Service Commission may modify the above minimum qualifications in the announcement of an examination. .

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• The operation of power mowers, wheel type tractors, tract laying tractors, and general aspects of gasoline and diesel motors.
• Expert handling of power mowers, both on street and park areas.

Ability to:

• Read and write and clearly speak effectively.
• Follow written and oral instructions.
• Plan sequence of mowing operations within the framework of a general grounds maintenance schedule.
• Operate tractors and other equipment as needed.
• Make routine repairs to power mowers and other simple equipment.
• Exhibit a high customer service priority.
• Establish and maintain open and honest communications with co-workers at all levels of the organization.
• Use and operate hand and power tools, heavy vehicles and other equipment associated with the maintenance and repair of heavy machinery, buildings and grounds.
• Within CALOSHA guidelines, withstand periods of physical exposure to the presence of fumes, odors, dust and pollen without incapacitating adverse effect.
• Safely transport, lift and handle bulky objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF the following steps: 1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process. 2) A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. 3) A performance test which will be qualifying only.  4) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.  CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION. 

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components. Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency: 

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

Last Day for Filing:                                            Monday April 6, 2015

Review of Minimum Qualifications:                 Friday , April 10, 2015

Screening for Best Qualified:                              Friday , April 17, 2015

Performance Test:                                                Week of April 27, 2015

Panel Interviews:                                                  Week of May 11, 2015

 Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes. For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Newspec: 1138H - 2/01

BENEFITS

  • (10) working days paid vacation each year; fifteen (15) days after five (5) years of service; and twenty (20) days after thirteen (13) years of service.   
  •  Fourteen (14) paid holidays a year.  
  •  Sick leave is accrued at the rate of one (1) day per month.
  • Choice of three (3) health plans for employees and their dependents, most, if not all of which is paid for by the District.  The medical plan design offered to employees is a $15 HMO Plan or High Deductible PPO Plan. Employees may elect coverage provided through one of the two medical carriers, United Healthcare HMO or PPO, Kaiser Permanente HMO.   
  • Comprehensive dental plan for employees and their dependents.   
  • Vision care reimbursement benefit.  
  • Social Security paid for by District and employee. 
  • Public Employees Retirement System 2% at 62 for new hires; 2% at 60 for new employees hired after January 1, 2013 that are already members of CalPERS. 
  • Long Term Disability Plan paid by District. 
  • Life Insurance policy ($40,000) paid by District.
  • Deferred Compensation Plan available, employee funded.  
  • Employee Credit Union services.  
  • Educational Tuition Reimbursement. 
  • Employee Assistance Program.  
  • Post employment healthcare plan contribution of 1.5% of base salary paid by District. 
  •  State Disability, employee funded.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Anna Montoya, Human Resources Analyst III
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
510-272-6459
www.acgov.org/hrs