Roads Maintainer

The Role

Performs general roads maintenance activities on regional roads, bridges, and roadsides, including winter snow and ice control duties and general summer roads maintenance, primarily operating trucks/vehicles such as tandem/single-axle dump trucks, stake trucks, pickups, and utility vehicles, and using hand tools and maintenance equipment on various maintenance activities.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Performs daily maintenance circle checks per regional specifications before using equipment. Performs minor repairs or replacements of parts as required. Completes checklists and advises supervisor or lead hand of any requirements for additional service/repair. 
• Operates tandem-axle dump trucks and other utility vehicles to haul material such as gravel, asphalt, topsoil, and gabion stone to various worksites within Waterloo Region and to haul material and equipment from outside Waterloo Region as required.
• Cuts grass and other vegetation along regional roadsides and on selected regional properties, using agricultural tractor equipped with flail mover(s) and/or boom-mower extension.  Removes graffiti from regional property, and erects barriers to contain dust and chemicals as necessary.
• During winter season, operates tandem-axle trucks for plowing, salting, and sanding operations.  Operates combination plow/wing units and computerized material-spreading unit. Adjusts application rates of salt, sand, and anti-icing materials to suit conditions.
• Performs snow and ice control activities, including snow and ice removal from sides of roads or drainage areas, using hand tools, maintenance equipment, and other vehicles and equipment (e.g. tractors, loaders, snow blower shoulder grader, snowplow/dump truck).
• Cleans out catch basins using hand tools. Occasionally operates stake truck or dump truck to haul material to disposal site.
• Installs culverts, including the construction of gabion walls and stream liners, restoration of trenches, and landscaping.
• When properly certified and trained, uses oxygen-acetylene torches to cut metal components on culverts, storm sewers, and snowplow blades.
• Occasionally operates tractor loader, wheel loader, or truck to assist crews in removing tree stumps, including restoration of excavation and landscaping.
• Installs and removes snow fences, including pounding in stakes using hand-held pounder or tractor-mounted equipment. Operates truck or tractor loader to transport fences to and from the job site, and install or remove stakes.
• Performs all general roads maintenance activities on regional roads and roadsides as required, such as cold/hot patching, dead animal and debris removal, guiderail/cable maintenance, and sound barrier, retaining wall, and drainage maintenance.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Installs and removes snow plow equipment, including plow harness and spreaders, and prepares for use or storage. Performs other equipment repairs, including replacing/repairing pins, blades, cables.
• Operates vehicles and equipment properly, such as weed trimmers, hand mowers, commercial riding mowers, walk behind compaction equipment, post hole augers, tar kettles, power tools, chippers, breakers, pumps and compressors, pickups, backhoes, loaders, stake trucks, utility vehicles, and tandem-axle dump trucks to perform annual program activities.
• Performs surveys related to roadway construction as required.
• Performs traffic control duties, including setup of traffic control plans, as required around worksites for safety of self and rest of work crew.
• Maintains vehicles, equipment, and hand tools in good, safe working condition per policies and standards (e.g., greases equipment, adds fluids, torques wheel lugs, cleans equipment interior/ exterior); performs regular checks and completes inspection checklists. Reports need to repair or replace tools or equipment to supervisor or lead hand immediately. Occasionally purchases materials from corporate stores.
• Has contact with supervisors, lead hand, and other staff to resolve road problems and mechanical difficulties, request information or advice on jobs, and forward complaints and calls for assistance.
• Has contact with Police and Fire officials regarding accidents, clearing of roads after accidents or fires; utility companies (gas, telephone, electrical, cable) to determine/confirm locates; government ministries and authorities regarding safety regulation infractions and environmental damages; and with the public and area municipality staff regarding work on roads or properties bordering local roads/property.
• Once properly trained and certified, performs sweeper and road patrol duties, as assigned.
• Occasionally acts in a temporary capacity of the Lead Hand (Roads), as assigned.
• Work is subject to review by the supervisor. 
• Performs related duties, including working in other work units, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to read and understand policy, procedural, and instructive material such as safety notices, equipment operation manuals, safety data sheets, and product labels, and basic writing and arithmetic skills, normally acquired through a Grade 12 education.
• Functional knowledge of, and demonstrated ability in, the proper operation and use of equipment related to job duties, acquired through 2 years of directly related experience.  
• Functional knowledge of road building requirements, including cross sections, excavation, installation of roadbeds, side slopes, ditches, line and grade. Functional knowledge of surveying procedures and ability to perform surveys related to roadway construction. 
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, legislation and standards (e.g., Ontario Traffic Manual, Occupational Health & Safety Act, Highway Traffic Act, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, Book 7 traffic control plans) and on-the-job training.
• Ability to function effectively and safely in a variety of environmental conditions.
• Communication skills to receive and understand instructions, interact positively with supervisors, other staff, and the public, and participate as an effective team member.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as a time and attendance management system, and weather and road monitoring software (e.g., GIS).
• Must demonstrate successful completion of a physical demands test (pre-hire).
• Must have a valid class D driver's licence with Z endorsement and acceptable driving record to operate Region-owned vehicles/equipment.
• Ability to work variable hours and shifts, including weekends, evenings, holidays, and nights, as assigned. Ability to work shifts lasting up to 14 hours as required.
• Participates in a regular on-call rotation to respond to after-hours emergencies and urgent matters including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to read, understand, complete, interpret, and set up Traffic Control Plans. Ability to complete various forms and written communications, such as timecards, vehicle maintenance checklists, Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) reports, and other basic written communications.  
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Internal 1656 applicants are required to submit a document with their name on it (or an optional resume).  1656 staff are encouraged to internally apply with an updated resume, especially for those job opportunities that are a promotional opportunity, so that their qualifications are appropriately captured during the screening phase.