Heavy Equipment Operator I

Town of Vail•Vail, CO

5d•$31 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

The Town of Vail is seeking a skilled, motivated Heavy Equipment Operator for a year-round role in the Public Works Department. The operator uses a variety of light, medium, and heavy public works vehicles and equipment to perform street construction and repair, structure construction, and snow removal. During winter, the role focuses on snowplowing and snow removal for the town, including regular call-ins and early-morning or overnight shifts. The operator may be assigned to any Public Works functional area as needed. Providing excellent guest service and maintaining the Town of Vail’s standards are central to the position. The job is primarily outdoors in all weather conditions, including extreme cold, and can involve exposure to equipment noise, traffic, dust, heights, chemicals, fumes, and biohazards. Work also occasionally takes place indoors. The operator must complete division safety training and maintain required health and safety certifications. The role requires physical work, including lifting or moving up to 100 pounds, using tools and equipment, driving for extended periods, walking over varied terrain, and climbing ladders and working at heights. Employees must be able to handle stressful situations and challenging or dangerous work conditions. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and the ability to obtain and maintain a valid Class A commercial driver’s license within three months of hire. Candidates must be able to operate a variety of heavy equipment and vehicles. One to two years of public works or related construction experience is preferred; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted. The expected hiring range is $31.00–$34.24 per hour.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or GED.
Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid Class A commercial driver’s license within three months of hire.
Ability to operate a variety of heavy equipment and vehicles.
Ability to work a varying schedule, including evenings, emergency response, weekends, and holidays when necessary.
Knowledge of materials, methods, practices, and equipment used in street maintenance and related activities.
Knowledge of practical elements related to street maintenance and traffic control.
Clear and concise oral and written communication skills.
Basic computer skills, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and ability to learn other computer skills.
Ability to work independently without direct supervision and analyze situations to adopt an effective course of action.
Knowledge of safety principles and ability to follow the safety manual.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, coworkers, contractors, guests, and external customers.
Ability to maintain regular and dependable attendance, including prolonged periods of work following short-notice call-outs.
Must be able to pass a federally mandated drug and alcohol test at any time.
Must understand and be able to implement MUTCD requirements for town signage.
Basic understanding of irrigation hydraulics.
Ability to meet physical demands, including lifting or moving up to 100 pounds, using tools and equipment, driving for extended periods, walking and climbing over varied terrain, and working at heights.
Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and in malodorous, nauseating, or dangerous conditions.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of public works or related construction experience.
Flagger certification.
Backhoe I certification.
Loader II certification.
Confined space certification.
Forklift certification.
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.

Responsibilities

Operate light, medium, and heavy public works vehicles and equipment.
Perform street construction and repair, structure construction, and snow removal.
Focus on winter snowplowing and snow removal, including responding to regular call-ins.
Work in any Public Works functional area as assigned according to daily needs.
Provide excellent guest service and help maintain the Town of Vail’s standards.
Follow safety principles and the safety manual, complete division safety training, and maintain required certifications.
Implement MUTCD requirements for town signage, including replacement, inspection, and repair of traffic, guide, and construction signs.
Maintain dependable attendance, including responding to short-notice call-outs for weather, emergencies, and other public necessities.