Snow Equipment Operator

The Bruce Company of Wisconsin, Inc.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

The Bruce Company is seeking a Snow Equipment Operator and Deicing Applicator to support its winter operations in Wisconsin. This seasonal role involves operating plows, loaders, and spreaders, performing inspections, and applying deicer per procedure.

On-call shifts, overnight and weekend requirements, and rapid response to weather events are expected. Applicants must have a valid driver's license, CDL where required for equipment, and on-site training.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have reliable transportation to the assigned reporting location.
• Must pass the practical evaluation for each assigned vehicle, machine, or application system (evaluation is given on-site).
• Must maintain dependable on-call availability and respond to event communications.
• Must accurately use company timekeeping, routing, communication, and service-documentation systems.
• Must maintain safe operating judgment during low visibility, traffic, long events, and changing surface conditions.

Responsibilities

• Operates only the vehicles and equipment for which the employee has been trained and authorized.
• Completes and documents pre-use and post-use inspections and reports mechanical, safety, or damage concerns promptly.
• Plows or clears assigned lots, drives, loading areas, sidewalks, or route segments according to site maps and service standards.
• Applies granular deicer or liquid brine according to approved rates, equipment settings, calibration, weather conditions, and service instructions.
• Protects pavement, curbs, structures, landscaping, vehicles, utilities, and other site assets while operating equipment.
• Places snow only in approved locations and maintains emergency access, fire lanes, hydrants, drains, and pedestrian routes.
• Documents service time, material use, site conditions, exceptions, photos, and completion information accurately.
• Maintains communication with site or route leadership and responds to changing priorities and reassignment.
• Stops work and escalates unsafe conditions, equipment failures, incidents, property damage, or instructions outside authorized scope.
• Cleans and refuels assigned equipment as directed and returns it to the designated location in ready condition.
• Participates in post-event review and coaching when documentation, application, or service results vary from expectations.
• Performs other duties as assigned and follows company safety policies and procedures at all times.

Skills

Operate snow equipment

Safety-conscious

On-call readiness

Effective communication

Education

Commercial driver’s license (CDL) required for certain equipment

Level 2 training in equipment operation

Tools

Plows

Loaders

Skid steers

Sidewalk machines

Salt trucks

Granular spreaders

Liquid brine systems

Job description

The Bruce Company is proud to be a local, family-run landscaping company that’s been in business for 70 years. We are passionate about achieving incredible results for our customers and offer an exciting and collaborative company culture where our employees grow along with our company.

Position Summary

The Snow Equipment Operator and Deicing Applicator performs independent production work using authorized trucks, plows, loaders, sidewalk machines, spreaders, or liquid application equipment. Assignments are based on demonstrated experience, driving eligibility, training, practical evaluation, and operational need.

Our snow and ice team serves as a first responder to the first responders by helping keep healthcare facilities, emergency access, businesses, and the community open during winter events.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operates only the vehicles and equipment for which the employee has been trained and authorized.
• Completes and documents pre-use and post-use inspections and reports mechanical, safety, or damage concerns promptly.
• Plows or clears assigned lots, drives, loading areas, sidewalks, or route segments according to site maps and service standards.
• Applies granular deicer or liquid brine according to approved rates, equipment settings, calibration, weather conditions, and service instructions.
• Protects pavement, curbs, structures, landscaping, vehicles, utilities, and other site assets while operating equipment.
• Places snow only in approved locations and maintains emergency access, fire lanes, hydrants, drains, and pedestrian routes.
• Documents service time, material use, site conditions, exceptions, photos, and completion information accurately.
• Maintains communication with site or route leadership and responds to changing priorities and reassignment.
• Stops work and escalates unsafe conditions, equipment failures, incidents, property damage, or instructions outside authorized scope.
• Cleans and refuels assigned equipment as directed and returns it to the designated location in ready condition.
• Participates in post-event review and coaching when documentation, application, or service results vary from expectations.
• Performs other duties as assigned and follows company safety policies and procedures at all times.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position normally has no direct supervisory responsibility but may guide Snow Technicians or another operator when specifically assigned by site or route leadership.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed outdoors during winter months and may occur during nights, weekends, holidays, and extended events.
• Exposure to snow, ice, wind, cold, low visibility, traffic, slippery surfaces, and rapidly changing weather conditions.
• Noise levels may be moderate to high. Required personal protective equipment, including hearing protection when applicable, must be used.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and communicate effectively with company personnel, customers, consultants, subcontractors, and other project stakeholders. The requirements below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required.

Education, Certification, and License

• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record are required for assignments involving company vehicles.
• Commercial driver’s license is required only for assignments involving equipment that legally requires a CDL.
• Successful completion of company equipment, driving, material-application, and site-specific training is required. (Level 2 training)

Experience

• Prior commercial snow and ice equipment experience is preferred.
• Relevant experience may include pickup plows, loaders, skid steers, sidewalk machines, salt trucks, granular spreaders, or liquid brine systems.
• Experience with application-rate controls, calibration, or low-tolerance commercial sites is helpful.

Specific Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have reliable transportation to the assigned reporting location.
• Must maintain dependable on-call availability and respond to event communications.
• Must pass the practical evaluation for each assigned vehicle, machine, or application system (evaluation is given on-site).
• Must accurately use company timekeeping, routing, communication, and service-documentation systems.
• Must maintain safe operating judgment during low visibility, traffic, long events, and changing surface conditions.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to enter, exit, and operate trucks and equipment repeatedly and for extended periods.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while maintaining situational awareness and safe control.
• Ability to climb steps and ladders, bend, reach, twist, and inspect equipment components.
• Ability to work outside during inspections, loading, cleanup, refueling, and service verification.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and push or pull hoses, spreader components, and related materials.
• Fine motor skills, depth perception, and hand-eye-foot coordination required for vehicle and equipment controls.

Job Specifications

• Temporary seasonal position, generally November through April.
• On-call, weather-dependent schedule with variable hours, route assignments, and reporting locations.
• Overtime, overnight work, holidays, and extended event hours may be required.
• Equipment authorization may be limited, expanded, suspended, or revalidated based on training, performance, safety, and operational need.