Backhoe Operator Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Description

Teller County's Public Works department is seeking a full-time Equipment Operator III to perform advanced (master-level) transportation operations and a variety of routine administrative, skilled, technical and supervisory work in maintaining and constructing county roads, bridges, tunnels, wastewater facilities and other county infrastructure. Independently operates a wide variety of light, medium, heavy equipment and technologically advanced equipment used in the maintenance and construction of county roads. Serve as a Lead Operator and Trainer over lower-level maintenance workers or seasonal staff. Assist Crew Leader with day-to-day operations and planning. Manages projects also assist with administrative duties such as time keeping, work logs and inventory. Act as Crew Supervisor as directed. Performs manual tasks associated with equipment operations, road maintenance, construction and wastewater treatment infrastructure maintenance. Performs operator required maintenance on all equipment used.  

What You'll Do:

• Serve as Lead Operator and Trainer for crew.
• Assist in the scheduling and development of road projects and maintenance program.
• Act as Crew Supervisor as directed
• Assist in employee screening, interviewing, hiring and employee performance evaluations.
• Skillfully, proficiently, safely and efficiently at master-level, operates motor graders, loaders, backhoes, dump trucks, tractor trailer units, snowplow, rollers, vac-trucks, brooms, mowers, water trucks, crack fillers, mechanized pothole patchers and other miscellaneous equipment needed for the repair and maintenance of County roads and wastewater facilities.
• Demonstrates knowledge of operation of asphalt laydown machine, asphalt or chloride distributors, etc.
• Grades gravel roads using a motor grader.
• Repairs, maintains, and installs drainage structures as needed on roads using grader, backhoe, excavator, vac-truck, loaders and hand tools.
• Installs and maintains regulatory, warning, and traffic information signs per the MUTCD.
• Controls traffic at work sites by signing and/or by flagging to guide traffic through the work areas, as required or assigned.
• Performs required labor involved in construction and maintenance projects as part of a crew.
• Plows and sands County roads, thaws culverts, and takes necessary action to secure the safety of the motoring public in the winter.
• Mows vegetation, cuts and chips trees as needed to increase visibility and safety on County roads.
• Welds and fabricates as needed to complete tasks assigned.
• Drives trucks of various sizes and weights in the loading, hauling and unloading of various equipment, gravel, and sand.
• Performs routine inspection and preventive maintenance on assigned equipment and refer defects or maintenance issues requiring repair to supervisor or shop foreman; cleans all equipment.
• Trainer for lower-level employees to increase their skills in the maintenance, construction, and repair of County roads and bridges.
• Responds to after-hours emergency call outs.
• Performs all other appropriate duties and tasks assigned.

Requirements

What You'll Bring:

Experience/Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proven highly skilled (master-level) work experience as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver.
• Must be able to pass the Teller County Equipment Operator III skills test on all county core equipment: motor grader, backhoe, loader and trucks.

You Also Have:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership, supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Techniques for effective interpersonal communications.
• Policies, practices, procedures and methods of assigned function.
• Colorado Motor Vehicle Code and other codes, laws and statutes relating to the position. 
• Applicable safety practices and operating procedures for all county equipment (grader, excavator, backhoe, loader, snowplow, tandem dump truck, belly dump and tractor trailer) and hand tools. (chainsaw, demo saw and laser level) 
• Proper calibration and utilization of road maintenance equipment/machines.
• Departmental record-keeping procedures. 
• Proper implementation and maintenance of Traffic Control plan as outlined in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
• County and Department's Employee Policy and Procedures rules and regulations.
• Industry standards associated with recording activity and report preparation.

Skilled in: 

• Operating all county equipment at an advanced (master) level.
• Coordinating assigned work activities independently.
• Training, developing, setting, coaching, and evaluating appointed crew members.
• Principles and practices of leadership, supervision and performance evaluation.
• Estimating time, labor, and quantities of materials needed.
• Properly calibrating and utilizing road maintenance equipment/machines.
• Handling routine tasks independently with little to no supervision.
• Working with others, including working as a team member.
• Troubleshooting situations and identifying and implementing appropriate solutions at an intermediate to advanced level.
• Diagnosing equipment problems and making field repairs and adjustments. 
• Verbal and written communication, including conveying and following instructions and providing information to the public.

Ability to: 

• Safely operate a variety of heavy equipment, assorted light equipment and trucks.
• Provide day-to-day maintenance of equipment.
• Deliver efficiency and quality at the highest of standards.
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Maintain accurate records
• Coordinate the schedule of work sequences, interpret plans and specifications.
• Reason and make sound judgments.
• Work under stressful conditions.
• Establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with co-workers, other county departments, representatives of other agencies/organizations, and serve the public.
• Work independently and efficiently. 
• Manage time effectively, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities. 
• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance. 

Additional Details About the Role:

• Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 80 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination, and manual dexterity. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, squatting, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving and client/customer contact. Subject to extreme temperatures, outside elements, noise, vibration, contact with dust, fumes and hazardous chemicals, foul odors, animal and human fecal matter, insects, and rodents. Requires the use of Personal Protective Equipment as required by job circumstances 
• Subject to involuntary overtime and/or compensation time (comp time) in addition to the normal 40 hours per week. May work weekends, holidays, and 24/7 standby. As members of the County Emergency Response System, all County employees are designated as Disaster Service During a proclaimed emergency, workers may be required to train on emergency response and perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.
• Teller County employees play an essential role in business continuity. As such, employees may be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of typical job functions.

License, Certification, or Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Colorado Class A CDL with no restrictions. 
• Tanker endorsement, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Preferred: Possession of tanker endorsement at time of hire.
• Work Zone Flagger Certificate, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• FEMA Certificate ICS-100, ICS-200 and ICS-700, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. 
• Willingness to take and successfully complete a First Aid class, CPR class, and other specialized or safety training that may be offered by the Public Works Department or other training facility. 
• Willingness to take additional training such as Road Scholar classes, etc. to improve job skills.

NOTE: Possession of and ability to maintain a valid Colorado Commercial Driver's License Class A without restrictions is required for this position.

Compensation and Benefits:

New salary range as of 1/1/2026 : $32.64 - 34.28 / hour

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, hourly

When it comes to benefits, Teller County is committed to offering a comprehensive, affordable benefits package that meets the needs of our employees and their families.

Two Meritain Aetna health plans to choose from -the County pays 50% to 100% of the premium depending on the plan you

choose

HSA plan - the County contributes $1,250 for employee only and $2,500 for employee plus one or more dependents

Telehealth/Teledoc options - access quality healthcare from the comfort of your home, during your lunch break or while traveling

Dental, Vision and Prescription drug coverage

Basic and voluntary life coverage

401a retirement plan - employees contribute 4% and the County matches 8%. You are fully vested in five years.

457b deferred comp plans - both pre- and post-tax options available

Time Off: Paid vacation, sick, 12 holidays, 1 floating holiday

Aflac, wellness programs, EAP, education assistance, employee discounts, uniform allowance

Click here to review our full benefits package

Position closes: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis