Contributed Photo/Courtesy: Gila County Public Works Department: Wayne Jones, Gila County Lumber Area Regional Highway Manager, explains the intricacies of operating heavy equipment. Jones runs Gila County’s “Road Scholar” apprenticeship program.
Article contributed by Carol Broeder
Gila County – Have you ever dreamed of a job operating dump trucks, graders, bulldozers, or other heavy equipment? announced a new “Road Scholar” apprenticeship program.
And, by the end of 18 months of instruction and supervision, learning to drive and demonstrating proficiency in safely operating a 10-wheel dump truck and grader, graduates will receive an Operator 1 or Operator 2 license starting at $39,186. I am going to get a salary. Here, annual salaries start at $40,227.
Who is Eligible? Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
apply online gilacountyaz.gov.
Click the ‘Popular Services’ link, then click ‘Employment Opportunities’ to find road maintenance/landfill operator apprentice vacancies. If you can’t find it easily there, call Public Works Staff at (928) 402-8502 or email projects@gilacountyaz.gov.
The program was created by Wayne Jones, the Gila County Regional Highway Manager for the Timber Area.
“Road maintenance is critical to our quality of life, and road maintenance requires specialized skills,” Jones explains. “We want to hire people who care about the community and have the skills to manage roads professionally.”
Beginning the program, Jones completed all the training and classes required to become a CDL Driver Training Instructor and Equipment Trainer.
Jones grew up in Gila County and has worked in county government for 12 years.
Roads and bridges, and their maintenance, have been an important part of Gila County since its inception, Jones said. We maintain 756 miles of road,” he added. , pine/strawberry. “
“Each road yard has an assigned road for which it is responsible and has year-round maintenance commitments,” he explains. “Three major maintenance activities include gravel road grading, pavement repair, and drainage maintenance such as ditches and culverts.”
The road is on private land and within the Forest Service.
The current team consists of 33 road maintenance personnel who drive all kinds of heavy equipment, including motor graders, bulldozers and 10-wheel dump trucks, Jones said.
“Throughout the year, the various road yards work together to remove snow, repair pavements, and drain stormwater,” Jones says, adding that from now until early June, all staff will be teaming up to grow strawberry. He added that the road will be paved with chip seals. , tonto and grove areas.
“Road maintenance personnel must be proficient in operating heavy equipment and road maintenance processes and possess the required commercial driver’s license,” he explains. “We always have vacancies and that is why we start an apprenticeship programme.”
According to Jones, the “ideal candidates” for the county’s road maintenance apprenticeship program are “those who are willing and willing to learn.” Be a team player. Has a good work ethic. I enjoy working outdoors and operating heavy equipment. “
To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
Proof of the applicant’s clean driving record will be obtained by Gila County prior to employment.
The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) consists of two parts: Road Scholar I for the first 12 months and Road Scholar II for the first 18 months after the probationary period ends.
Road Scholar I is completed by passing 8 out of 9 courses in the first 12 months, and Road Scholar II is completed by passing 8 out of 9 courses in 18 months.
Apprenticeship accomplishments include working in landfills and road yards. Get class “B” CDL. At the end of 18 months he will safely drive his 10 wheel dump truck and demonstrate the skills to operate his grader motor under the supervision of a trainer.
Salary during apprenticeship is $32,398 per year.
For Operator 1, the salary range starts at $39,186 per year.
