Equipment Operator I and II (EQ1 & EQ2)

Boulder County Public Works/Road Maintenance Department is seeking to hire five (5) Equipment Operator I (EQ1) and Equipment Operator II (EQ2) positions. This is a full-time, benefited role working Monday - Thursday 6:00am - 4:30pm (summer schedule) and Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm (winter schedule). Some evening availability is required for group facilitation. Scheduling flexibility may be offered based on candidate needs and program requirements. The position is based in Nederland, Colorado.

About the role

The Equipment Operator I is the entry-level classification in the Equipment Operator series, performing a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled duties in the operation of light equipment used in road construction, maintenance, and repair work.

The Equipment Operator II is the journey-level classification, performing semi-skilled and skilled duties in the operation of medium equipment for the same purposes.

Responsibilities

Equipment Operator I (EQ1)

• Operates equipment such as single-axle trucks, light front-end loaders, and other light equipment for road construction, snow removal, maintenance, and repair.
• Services and makes minor repairs and adjustments to assigned equipment.
• Checks and reports mechanical problems of assigned equipment.
• Performs manual labor as a crew member on construction and maintenance projects.
• May operate medium equipment (e.g., backhoes, tandem-axle trucks) as a trainee.
• May be reassigned during emergency situations.

Equipment Operator II (EQ2)

• Operates medium equipment such as front-end loaders, backhoes, tandem-axle trucks, and other medium equipment for road construction, snow removal, maintenance, and repair.
• Services and makes minor repairs and adjustments to assigned equipment.
• Checks and reports mechanical problems of assigned equipment.
• Performs general labor on construction and maintenance projects.
• Trains and directs other employees.
• May operate heavy equipment (e.g., graders, loaders, dozers, snow plows) as a trainee.
• May be reassigned during emergency situations.

Requirements

Boulder County encourages any combination of relevant education and experience. Minimum qualifications include:

Equipment Operator I (EQ1)

• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of experience operating road maintenance equipment.

Equipment Operator II (EQ2)

• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of experience operating road maintenance equipment, including training on medium-sized road equipment.

Both Positions

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Colorado Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with air brake endorsement, with requirement to obtain Class A within 9 months of hire.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical and drug test.
• Passing a background investigation.
• Residency in Colorado by the first day of work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Class A CDL without restrictions.
• Mountain driving experience.

Skills

• Working knowledge of traffic laws and safety precautions for equipment operation.
• Ability to recognize mechanical problems and perform minor repairs.
• Ability to understand verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to work effectively with other employees and the public.

Physical Requirements

• Back and Upper Body (Lifting):
  • Frequent use of shovels, rakes, 8–16 lb. sledgehammers, 10–20 lb. digging bars, and picks.
  • Occasional two-person lifts (75–157 lbs.) of rubber/steel blades, guardrail sections, timbers, tires, and animal carcasses.
  • Occasional lifting (10–30 lbs.) of tools, equipment, and building materials.
  • Occasional lifting (40–70 lbs.) of steel tire chains (may be done in sections).
  • Occasional handling (up to 200 lbs.) of truck tires and wheels.
• Hands and Arms:
  • Frequent use of levers, handles, buttons, and wheels to operate equipment for extended hours.
  • Frequent use of hand tools, power tools, shovels, rakes, and brooms.
• Body Movement:
  • During snow operations: frequent sitting with movements associated with driving (rough, vibrating conditions).
  • Non-snow operations: occasional standing (6–10 hours), kneeling, crawling, or lying down.
  • Occasional mounting/dismounting equipment (2-foot step to first platform).

Pay

Equipment Operator I (EQ1): $63,828.00 – $77,886.00 annually.

Equipment Operator II (EQ2): $67,068.00 – $81,834.00 annually.

Schedule

• Full-time, non-exempt (eligible for overtime).
• Summer: Monday – Thursday, 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
• Winter: Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
• Some evening availability required for group facilitation.

Benefits

• 80-hour vacation bank at hire (for new employees or rehires after 12+ months).
• 8 hours of vacation and 8 hours of medical leave accrued monthly.
• Comprehensive health plans including vision and dental coverage.
• Family-forming benefits (infertility treatment, adoption/surrogacy reimbursement).
• 12 weeks of paid caregiver leave.
• Breastfeeding-friendly workplace and infants-at-work policy.
• Access to discounts (childcare, event tickets, travel, etc.).
• Wellness program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• PERA 401k and Social Security retirement plans.
• Additional life, disability, critical illness, and accidental insurance.
• County-paid tuition assistance.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Free EcoPass for public transportation.
• Paid holidays:
  • New Year’s Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, General Election Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (½ day), Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve (½ day).
• PERA employer contribution: 15.80% of salary.
• Social Security employer contribution: 7.65% of salary.