Equipment Operator I

Theuniversityunion; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Theuniversityunion is seeking a Full-time Public Works operator in Colorado. The role operates heavy equipment such as graders, loaders, dozers, and tandem trucks with snow plow attachments, and performs snow removal and related manual labor.

On-call availability and compliance with safety rules are required. Applicants should have a High School diploma, a Class B CDL with tanker and air brake endorsements, and be capable of working in varied weather.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.

Responsibilities

• Operates heavy equipment (graders, loaders, dozers, tandem trucks) including snow plow attachments.
• Plows snow and participates in snow and ice control activities.
• Performs preventive maintenance and documents inspections as required.
• Maintains safety and regulatory compliance.
• Completes paperwork per regulations.
• Other duties as assigned to support operations.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Snow plow

Safety compliance

Written and oral English

Class B CDL

Education

High School diploma

Job description

• Location 255 Braecher Park Road,Black Hawk, CO, 80422,United States
• Base Pay $23.26 - $32.57 / Hour
• Other Compensation On-Call Pay
• Job Category Public Works
• Employee Type FT Non-Exempt

Description

Operates a variety of heavy equipment such as graders, loaders, dozers and tandem trucks; services and maintains assigned equipment. Plow’s snow and performs manual labor as necessary.

Open until filled or for a minimum of one week

Hiring Range:$23.26- $32.57

Range of Position:$23.26 - $27.94

Supervised by:Road & Bridge Team Leader

FLSA status:Non-Exempt

Main Job Duties

• Operates heavy equipment, i.e., road graders, loaders, dozers, backhoes, tandem trucks (with snowplow and water tank attachments). (25%)
• Performs manual labor as directed. (20%)
• Maintains knowledge and observes appropriate safety and operational regulations and policies. (20%)
• Plow’s snow and participates in snow and ice control activities. (10%)
• Performs preventative maintenance on all equipment assigned (i.e., equipment must be kept clean and free of debris, perform proper pre- and post-trip inspections). Performs routine maintenance of vehicles and/or equipment assigned to them as needed. (10%)
• Completes paperwork per Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. (10%)
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Public Works and Facilities, Public Works Operations Supervisor and/or Road and Bridge Team Leaders and any duties needed to stabilize an emergency situation. (5%)

Hours: Subject to involuntary overtime and/or irregular work hours for snow removal and emergencies in addition to the normal 40-hour workweek. Must be available for emergency call-in.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education: High School diploma or equivalent preferred.

Knowledge of principles and practices of gravel and native surface road maintenance, repair and construction, snow & ice control and safe work practices.

Ability to:

(a) Work independently in the absence of supervision.

(b) Work efficiently and effectively as a team member within the department.

(c) Maintain courteous and effective working relationships with the public, county departments and coworkers.

(d) Accurately and effectively transmit and receive information that is necessary to the accomplishment of goals and objectives, including effective written and oral communications in English; and the ability to listen.

Must demonstrate basic mechanical knowledge.

Must pass background check, including traffic and criminal.

Certifications:

Must have a Class B CDL with tanker and air brake endorsements without any restriction due to driving record. Must also be able to drive a county vehicle.

Must possess Flagger Certification in the State of Colorado or be able to obtain Certification within six (6) months of employment.

Must possess FEMA IC100 and 700 certifications within six (6) months of employment.

Mental/Physical Requirements:

Must be capable of working in stressful situations including plowing snow in bad weather.

Must be able to stoop, bend, stretch, twist, reach, kneel, squat and balance.

Must be able to sit, stand or walk for long periods of time.

Must have appropriate voice skills to be clearly understood on the telephone, radio and in public contact.

Some work is performed outside where employee is subject to weather conditions.

Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds without assistance.

Must be able to perform without additional assistance the physical movements required for equipment operation and manual labor.

Experience:

Must have acceptable documentation of equipment and/or tandem experience in the form of previous employment or certificate of training from an accredited school.

Previous experience using various power hand tools such as chainsaws, drills, etc. required

Summary

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities. Gilpin County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons. Must pass drug screen and pre-employment screening.

*Part-time and Temporary staff are ineligible for the following benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401A, Life Insurance, Short-term & Long-term Disability plans in additional to Long-term care. See the benefit details at the end of the job posting for part-time options.

Benefits for Full Time Employees:

Paid Holidays: Gilpin County provides 13 paid holidays per calendar year. An employee will be paid ten (10) hours per holiday.

Vacation: The first year of employment, (based on the anniversary of the hire date) full-time employees are given 40 hours of vacation and earn 3 hours of paid vacation leave bi-weekly. After that time, leave shall accrue as follows:

Lump Sum on Date of Hire (Hours)

Hourly Accrual Rate

40

3

13 – 60 months

-

5

61 – 120 months

-

7

121+ months

-

8

Full-Time employees are encouraged to take their earned vacation leave each year. Vacation time accrual shall cap at the maximum amount and shall not exceed the maximum accrual amount, based on total months of service.

Months of Service

248

61 – 131

268

132 – 192

288

193 – 239

308

240+

328

Sick Leave: Full-Time employees shall accrue four (4) hours of sick leave each bi-weekly pay period. The maximum sick leave that may be accumulated by such an employee is 600 hours.

Medical Plans: Gilpin County offers two medical plans with Kaiser and United Health Care. Gilpin County offers a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for all employees to cover co-pays, deductibles, and other medical expenses. Employees are eligible for benefits the first of the month following 30 days of service. This HRA card will have $3,000.00 on it for an individual or $6,000.00 for a family. Both plans have a max out of pocket for $1,000 individual or $2,000 per family after the use of the HRA card for in network expenses.

United Health Care Monthly Employee Cost:

Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family

$80.85/$167.72/$149.40/$234.30

Kaiser Permanente Monthly Employee Cost:

Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family

$72.60/$152.62/$134.47/$210.90

Dental Plan: Gilpin County offers dental coverage through Delta Dental with PPO and Premiere network coverages. Individual deductible at $50 and family deductible at $150. In network coverage for preventative and diagnostic services are covered 100%, basic services covered at 80%, major services at 50%, and ortho covered at 50% with a $2,000 max. The plan offers a “Right Start 4 Kids” plan that covers most children basic services up to their 13th birthday at 100% with no deductible (some exclusions apply). Annual max this plan pays for covered dental services is $2,000 per individual covered on the plan.

Delta Dental Monthly Employee Costs:

Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family

$0.00/$28.71/$54.00/$72.50

Vision Plan: Gilpin County offers vision coverage through VSP. In network coverage includes copays at $10 copays with an allowance of $175 per pair of either one prescription eyeglasses or contacts yearly on a 12-month calendar basis and discounts on Lasik.

VSP Vision Monthly Employee Costs:

Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family

$0.00/$3.20/$3.40/$5.60

Retirement: Two retirement savings plans are available through the Colorado Retirement Association: 401(a) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

The 401(a) has a 5% required full match with a 4-year vesting period.

The 457 Plan is optional and has Pre-tax and Roth Options available. After four years of service, this plan could also include a County match as described below.

Social Security, as required by law: 6.2% required full match.

Effective July 8, 2025, for all new employees hired on or after this date, the graduated vesting schedule for the 5% match on employees’ 401(a) plan is as follows:

Years of Service

Vesting Amount

0 to less than 1 year

0%

1 year to less than 2 years

25%

2 years to less than 3 years

50%

3 years to less than 4 years

75%

4 years or more

100%

Starting January 1, 2026, two new voluntary retirement plan matches will be initiated, with one plan for POST (law enforcement officers) and a second for all other employees, based on years of service. The employee would need to make voluntary contributions into a 457 account at the minimum level in order to be eligible for the County match into the employee’s 401(a).

POST 401(a) eligible positions, 1:1 match

Years of Service

POST Employee Contribution to 457

County Match to 401(a)

4 to 8 years

1%

1%

9 to 12 years

2%

2%

13 or more years

3%

3%

All other 401(a) eligible positions, 1:2 match

Years of Service

Employee Contribution to 457

County Match to 401(a)

4 to 8 years

1%

0.5%

9 to 12 years

2%

1%

13 or more years

4%

2%

Short-Term Disability: Short-term disability pays 60% of your earnings with a max of $1,000 per week for up to 11 weeks. Benefits begin on day 15 and your first two weeks you will have to cover with sick, personal, or vacation time. Gilpin County covers 100% of the premium cost of this plan for the employee.

Long-Term Disability: Long-term disability kicks in after 90 consecutive calendar days of a qualified disability. The plan will pay 60% of your earnings with a max of $5,000 monthly. Gilpin County covers 100% of the premium cost of this plan for the employee.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EAP is provided through Triad All one Health for employees and members of your household. Services are confidential and available 24/7. A wide variety of services including but not limited to: Emotion well-being support with up to 6 Counseling sessions per issue each year. Daily life assistance guidance on a variety of topics. Online resources with articles, assessments, search tools, webinars. Free 30-minute consultations on legal services and financial services. A discount center to find deals on products, services, travel and more!

Gilpin County Parks & Recreation: Employees receive free memberships, as well as 20% discounts on most services such as childcare, leagues, rentals, in house classes but does not include contract classes.

Benefits for Part Time and Temporary Employees:

Sick Leave: Leave accrues at the rate of 1 hours of sick leave per 30 hours worked to a maximum of 45 hours per year.

Retirement: As a part time or temporary employee, you may participate in the optional 457b or 457 Roth plan. These plans may be started, stopped, and changed anytime during your employment.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EAP is provided through Triad All One Health for employees and members of your household. Services are confidential and available 24/7. A wide variety of services including but not limited to: Emotion well-being support with up to 6 Counseling sessions per issue each year. Daily life assistance guidance on a variety of topics. Online resources with articles, assessments, search tools, webinars. Free 30-minute consultations on legal services and financial services. A discount center to find deals on products, services, travel and more!

Retirement: Gilpin County offers optional 457b or 457 Roth plans. The optional 457b plans may be started, stopped, and changed anytime during your employment

Gilpin County Parks & Recreation: Employees receive free membership, as well as 20% discounts on most services such as childcare, leagues, rentals, in house classes but does not include contract classes.