Backhoe Operator Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $49,528.00 - $56,036.00 Annually
Location : Streets Department - St. George, UT
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600129
Department: PUBLIC WORKS
Division: STREETS
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/13/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Position Summary
Salary and Benefits
Equipment Operator I: Starting Salary: 49 ($49,528/year)Individuals hired in this position have the opportunity to progress up to $74292/year, which is the maximum salary for this position as of December 2025.Equipment Operator II: Starting Salary 52 ($53,336/year)Individuals hired in this position have the opportunity to progress up to $80,004/year, which is the maximum salary for this position as of December 2025Equipment Operator III: Starting Salary 54 ($56,036/year)Individuals hired in this position have the opportunity to progress up to $84,054/year, which is the maximum salary for this position as of December 2025.
Benefits: Full City Benefits Package. The City of St. George covers 100% of the premiums for the High Deductible health plan for full-time employees and their qualified dependents. New hires also receive 2 weeks of vacation time during their first year of employment, one of which is available to the employee on the first day of employment. To find out more about our benefits package, please visit our website at careers.sgcity.org.
Position Summary
Under the general supervision of Streets Division Crew Supervisors, drives and operates a variety of mobile or stationary construction and maintenance equipment in support of streets maintenance programs for the City of St. George. This is skilled work in light and heavy equipment operation and requires minor routine maintenance of related equipment.
Essential Functions/Typical Working/Mental Demands/Working Conditions
(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. The list of tasks is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

1. Places signs, barricades, and traffic control devices around work sites to protect employees and the public.
2. Excavates trenches installing shoring as needed, tests for hazardous soil conditions and atmospheres, and detects hazardous atmospheres and corrects before confined space entry. Follows all City and divisional safety policies and procedures.
3. May operate any of the following pieces of construction equipment: sweeper, loader, backhoe, roller, vacuum truck, or 10-wheel dump truck. Performs minor maintenance on assigned equipment.
4. Operates equipment for projects such as excavating, backfilling trenches, hauling, rolling of chip-seal material, sweeping streets, cleaning storm drains, pesticide application, etc.
5. May assist in the loading and unloading of trucks, laying pipe in trenches, pouring and finishing concrete, using air and jack hammers to break out concrete and asphalt, and other types of general physical labor.
6. Keeps daily records and prepares daily reports estimating equipment time and material usage and justifying requests for equipment and materials.
7. Performs routine maintenance or emergency repairs as assigned.
8. Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Physical/Mental Demands/Working Conditions
Very heavy physical activity exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. May have to stand, walk, or sit in uncomfortable positions for extended periods. Exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy conditions caused by weather. Exposure to constant to intermittent sounds of a pitch or level sufficient to cause marked distraction or possible hearing loss; shaking objects or surfaces; and conditions such as fumes, noxious odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation that affect the respiratory system, eyes, or the skin. Intermittent exposure to stress as a result of human behavior.
Note: Persons in this classification may be required to work unconventional work hours or shifts during emergency situations. Must be available for on-call rotation and be able to respond within fifteen minutes.
Qualifications
Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience: Minimum of one (1) year full time experience in the proper operation and maintenance of various types of equipment, and thorough understanding of laws governing operation of motor vehicles. Experience with storm drain installation, concrete/asphalt finishing preferable.
Licenses and/or Certificates:
Equipment Operator I:

• Must possess and maintain throughout employment a valid Class A, Utah Commercial Driver License (CDL) with tanker endorsements.
• Must demonstrate the ability to proficiently operate sweepers and the vacuum truck within three (3) months of hire date; remains on probation until acquired.
• Must acquire heavy equipment operator certification, on at least one (1) of the following types of heavy equipment: skid steer, backhoe, or loader by an accredited training organization (i.e., Utah LTAP) within six (6) months of hire date; remains on probation until acquired.
• Possess or must be certified within six (6) months of hire by the Utah Department of Transportation in construction signing and flagging; remains on probation until acquired.
• All accredited certifications must be kept current. Failure to do so may result in loss of position.

Equipment Operator II:Career progression, employee moves to Equipment Operator II when the following requirements have been met :

• Possess and maintain throughout employment a valid Class A, Utah Commercial Driver License (CDL) with tanker and hazardous material endorsements.
• Must acquire heavy equipment operator certification, , on at least two (2) of the following types of heavy equipment: backhoe, loader, skid steer, grader, dozer, and/or excavator.
• Possess at least two (2) of the following certifications: Pesticide Applicator License, Trenching and Shoring, Confined Space Entry certification, American Concrete Institute certification, or Utah LTAP Asphalt Maintenance certification.
• All accredited certifications must be kept current. Failure to do so may result in loss of position or demotion to Equipment Operator I.

Equipment Operator III:Career progression, employee moves to Equipment Operator III when the following requirements have been met:

• Possess and maintain throughout employment a valid Class A, Utah Commercial Driver License (CDL) with tanker and hazardous material endorsements.
• Must acquire heavy equipment operator certification, on at least three (3) of the following types of heavy equipment: backhoe, loader, skid steer, grader, dozer, and/or excavator.
• Possess at least three (3) of the following certifications: Pesticide Applicator License, Trenching and Shoring, Confined Space Entry certification, American Concrete Institute certification, or Utah LTAP Asphalt Maintenance certification.
• All accredited certifications must be kept current. Failure to do so may result in loss of position or demotion to Equipment Operator I or II.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• General rules of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction standards, including trenching and confined space safety.
• EPA requirements such as the disposal of toxic materials, i.e., fuels, road oils, chemical solvents, etc.
• Concrete and asphalt mixes, additives, road oils, and bases and application techniques.
• Knowledge of basic math and algebra.

Ability to:

• Operate at least two of the following pieces of construction equipment: sweeper, loader, backhoe, roller, vacuum truck, or 10-wheel dump truck.
• Operate a variety of heavy and light equipment in the prescribed manner.
• Estimate cuts and fills of grades.
• Detect malfunctions and needed repairs.
• Make necessary simple adjustments to equipment.
• Work in inclement weather.

Benefits for full-time employees:
Health Care
The City of St. George covers 100% of the premiums for the High Deductible health plan for full-time employees and their qualified dependents. The City also offers two Traditional medical plans. Employees have the option to upgrade to one of the City's Traditional medical plans with a lower deductible by paying a premium for the selected plan. The City also offers voluntary benefits including dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement savings plans at the employee's cost and discretion. Health care coverage begins the first day of employment.
Retirement
The City fully funds an employee pension plan through Utah Retirement Systems for each active full-time employee.
Paid Time Off
Paid time off (PTO) hours are accrued according to the number of hours paid. Based on a full 40-hour work week, paid time off is accrued as follows: 2 weeks for years 0 through 3.99, 3 weeks for years 4 through 11.99, and 4 weeks for 12+ years.
Holidays
The City has 13 paid holidays each year. If unused, holiday time can be used as Paid Time Off.
Sick Leave
The City provides 12 days of sick leave each year. You can accrue sick leave without limit.
Life Insurance
All active full-time employees enrolled in the employer sponsored medical plan are provided with $50,000 worth of life insurance. Spouses and dependents are provided with $5000 and $2500 respectively. Full-time employees are also provided with an AD&D policy for $50,000.
Long Term Disability
All active full-time employees enrolled in the employer sponsored medical plan are provided with LTD insurance benefits.
Educational Assistance Program
The City offers a reimbursement of 75% of the tuition and required student fees, up to $2,000 per fiscal year, for pre-approved courses for full-time employees when the employee meets the eligibility requirements. This reimbursement is not a guarantee, it is subject to the approval of the Department Head. Reimbursement will be reduced by any other financial aid that does not have to be repaid, such as the GI Bill, scholarships and grants.
Employee Assistance Program
The City offers an Employee Assistance Program to give full-time employees an additional level of support for personal, financial, and family issues. The Employee Assistance Program is 100% Confidential, offers a 24/7 Crisis Support Line, and there are no limits for sessions with a licensed counselor.
Recreation Benefit
Free or discounted access to all 4 City Golf Courses, swimming pools and Recreation Center is available to all full-time employees.
Note: Golf course privileges are based on availability. Employees can book a tee-time within 24 hours or the same day, but may be turned away if there are no available tee-times. If you happen to be golfing with at least 2 paying customers; tee times can be set with more advance notice, but are still based on availability. Red Hills Golf Course will not be available to schedule tee times in advance --- walk on play based on availability only.
Voluntary Benefits
Short-Term Disability, Supplemental Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance; each are available on a voluntary basis to all Active Full-Time employees enrolled in an employer sponsored medical plan.
of this information is available