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Entry Level Excavator Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

SiteWise

Operator I Pipeline

Henderson, CO

$32 - $40/hr

This position will be required to operate a mini excavator to dig around live utilities. Operating ... entry level equipment operations, placing fiber, loading materials, etc. on various safety ...

SiteWise

Operator I Pipeline

Henderson, CO · On-site

$32 - $40/hr

This position will be required to operate a mini excavator to dig around live utilities. Operating ... entry level equipment operations, placing fiber, loading materials, etc. on various safety ...

SiteWise

Operator I-Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$24 - $29/hr

... entry level equipment operations, placing fiber, loading materials, etc. on various safety ... Working alongside with another team member taking hand signals to safely excavate a site. * Follows ...

SiteWise

Heavy Equipment Operator I-AMRP

Henderson, CO · On-site

$24 - $29/hr

... entry level equipment operations, placing fiber, loading materials, etc. on various safety ... Working alongside with another team member taking hand signals to safely excavate a site. * Follows ...

SiteWise

Operator - Restoration

Henderson, CO

$24 - $29/hr

... entry level equipment operations, placing fiber, loading materials, etc. on various safety ... Working alongside with another team member taking hand signals to safely excavate a site. * Follows ...

SiteWise

Heavy Equipment Operator I-AMRP

Henderson, CO

$24 - $29/hr

... entry level equipment operations, placing fiber, loading materials, etc. on various safety ... Working alongside with another team member taking hand signals to safely excavate a site. * Follows ...

SiteWise

Operator - Restoration

Henderson, CO · On-site

$24 - $29/hr

... entry level equipment operations, placing fiber, loading materials, etc. on various safety ... Working alongside with another team member taking hand signals to safely excavate a site. * Follows ...

Clean Harbors

Yard Driver

Peetz, CO · On-site

$13.41 - $31.15/hr

This is an entry-level, full-time position offering $26.50 Hourly, with OT, along with career ... Must have Yellow-Iron HEO: payloader, backhoe, front/back-end loader, excavator etc.) 4- 12-hour ...

New

Clean Harbors

Yard Driver

Iliff, CO · On-site

$13.41 - $31.15/hr

This is an entry-level, full-time position offering $26.50 Hourly, with OT, along with career ... Must have Yellow-Iron HEO: payloader, backhoe, front/back-end loader, excavator etc.) 4- 12-hour ...

New

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All JobsExcavator JobsEntry Level Excavator JobsEntry Level Excavator Jobs in Colorado

Entry Level Excavator information

See Colorado salary details

$14

$27

$43

How much do entry level excavator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level excavator in Colorado is $27.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.74 and $30.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry level excavators on the job?

Entry level excavators often encounter challenges such as adapting to different types of heavy equipment, learning site-specific safety protocols, and managing varying soil or weather conditions. You'll need to quickly become comfortable following precise instructions from supervisors and communicating effectively with coworkers to ensure tasks are completed safely. There can also be physical demands, including long hours outdoors and lifting or moving materials. However, these challenges present excellent learning opportunities and help you build valuable skills for career growth in the construction industry.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an entry level excavator?

To thrive as an Entry Level Excavator, you need basic knowledge of heavy equipment operation, safety procedures, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Experience with operating excavators and obtaining certifications such as OSHA safety training or equipment operator cards is often required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn help you stand out in this position. These skills ensure safe, efficient excavation work while reducing the risk of accidents and supporting team success on construction sites.

What is an entry level excavator?

An Entry Level Excavator job involves operating heavy machinery to dig, move, and grade earth on construction sites under supervision. Responsibilities may include assisting with site preparation, following safety protocols, and maintaining equipment. This role typically requires basic equipment training, a willingness to learn, and physical stamina. Many employers provide on-the-job training for beginners.

How to get started as an entry level excavator

To start as an entry-level excavator operator, obtain a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a training program or apprenticeship to learn equipment operation, and earn relevant certifications such as OSHA safety training. Gaining hands-on experience through internships or entry-level positions helps build skills and understanding of construction sites and machinery. Familiarity with tools, safety protocols, and physical fitness are also important for success in this role.
What are the most commonly searched types of Excavator jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Excavator jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Excavator jobs in Colorado? For Entry Level Excavator jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Excavator jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Excavator jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Entry Level Excavator jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Entry Level Excavator job openings:
Entry Level Excavator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Excavator job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,211 per year, or $27.5 per hour.

Street Equipment Specialist I/II/III

Town of Estes Park, CO

Estes Park, CO • On-site

$47K - $79K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Salary : $47,151.00 - $79,874.00 Annually
Location : Town Hall: 170 MacGregor Avenue, Estes Park, CO
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-04-0002
Department: Public Works
Division: Streets Division
Opening Date: 04/14/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Summary
Join our Team! The Town of Estes Park seeks interested and qualified applicants for the position of Street Equipment Specialist I/II/III.
This position is Open Until Filled and the vacancy may close without notice after the first review date of May 5th, 2026. To ensure your application is reviewed, it is highly recommended that you apply on or before close of business on the first review date
The Street Equipment Specialist positions provide a variety of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled laboring and equipment operations tasks in support of the operation and maintenance of Town streets, sidewalks, trails, bridges, stormwater system, rights of way, and other Town transportation and drainage infrastructure.
Examples of Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The list below is intended to be illustrative of the responsibilities of the position and not all encompassing. The Town may change these duties at any time.
  • Performs routine safety checks, minor maintenance, and activity log updates on vehicles.
  • Operates safely and performs routine maintenance on a variety of heavy and light duty equipment such as, but not limited to, loader, grader, service truck, excavator, crusher, jet trailer, air compressor, dump trucks, and street sweeper.
  • Performs routine maintenance on streets, trails, and bridges including patching potholes, repairing signs, culverts, inlets, drainage ditches, bridges, painting parking stalls, and crosswalks.
  • Operate and perform routine maintenance on a Rosco Spray Patcher truck
  • Performs installation and maintenance of underground stormwater pipes, inlets, and manholes.
  • Performs manual labor including the use of hand tools necessary in maintenance and construction projects.
  • Assist with special events and work zone traffic control as needed.
  • Performs data entry of information, maintenance logs and other data. Ability to work with work order system such as Lucity.
  • Ability to safely trim tree branches which interfere with line of sight of traffic, sweeping, or snow removal operations.
  • Maintains a safe working environment to include working in traffic, congested areas, ditches, and confined spaces.
  • Responds to customer inquiries and complaints in a professional manner.
  • Performs snow removal activities either by hand, utilizing small equipment, or heavy equipment as assigned.
  • Stocks and cleans trucks and equipment with proper tools for the job and changes snow plow blades when necessary.
  • Performs other related work as required or assigned.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications
  • High school diploma or general education diploma (GED).
  • Level I:
    1. Entry level position. Experience in general construction or municipal government is preferred.
  • Level II
    1. Two years of heavy equipment operation experience in streets maintenance or a related field of construction
    2. Technical Capabilities: Ability to navigate ArcMap and Lucity to identify Town assets at a given location.
  • Level III:
    1. Four years of heavy equipment operation experience in streets maintenance or a related construction field.
    2. Meet Technical Capabilities of Level II.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
In accordance with Policy 897 Street Division Career Development:
  • Level I:
    1. Valid Colorado Class B Driver's License and satisfactory driving record. Out of state candidates must obtain Colorado Class B License within 6 months of hire. Employees with a CDL requirement as part of their job description are subject to random drug screening.
    2. Flagger certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
  • Level II:
    1. Must meet requirements for Level I.
    2. Equipment Operator Proficiency Certification and field test on Dump Truck and Wheel Loader.
  • Level III:
    1. Must meet requirements for Level II.
    2. Equipment Operator Proficiency Certification and field test on Excavator, Mini-Excavator, and Street Sweeper.
    3. Colorado Local Technical Assistance Program Roads Scholar I certificate preferred.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Must establish and maintain residency within 60 minute commute time of duty location. Residency requirements must be met within 6 months of hire.
REMOTE WORK ELIGIBLE: No
CELL PHONE ALLOWANCE: Job Critical Allowance
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:
  • Knowledge and ability to use safely and maintain hand tools, light duty, and heavy equipment such as backhoe, dump truck, bobcat, snow plow, skid steer, loader, excavator, jet trailer, spray patcher truck, and grader.
  • Ability to understand complex written and oral instructions and ability to solve basic mathematical problems.
  • Ability to perform strenuous physical labor for extended periods of time, including:
    1. Operating various types of tools and equipment associated with street, stormwater, park, or grounds maintenance.
    2. Lifting, carrying, and loading/unloading heavy items and materials.
    3. Removing snow by hand with shovel and snow blower.
    4. Hand-digging, sweeping, and raking various landscaping, grounds, ditches, and street repair materials.
    5. Accessing and working from below-grade trenches and above-grade ladders, scaffolds, or platforms.
    6. Walking throughout work areas containing various topographical conditions, visually identifying needed work, and inspecting work results.
  • Ability to develop and maintain accurate records and prepare reports when necessary.
  • Ability to read and interpret maps and drawings.
  • Ability to ensure compliance with industry safety standards, understands and applies proper operating procedures and applicable construction specifications.
  • Ability to layout and construct high-quality, functional concrete flatwork, curb and gutter, and drainage structures.
  • Must demonstrate basic computer skills.
  • Must be able to respond to emergency situations as needed.
  • Ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and follow oral and written instructions.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, customers and the general public.
  • Must be able to work an on-call work schedule and be able to respond to emergency situations per departmental policy.

REPORTS TO: Street Supervisor
EXEMPT: NO
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PAY GRADE:
Street Equipment Specialist I - LT 110 ($47,151 - $66,012 annual equivalent)
Street Equipment Specialist II - LT 120 ($51,866 - $72,613 annual equivalent)
Street Equipment Specialist III - LT 130 ($57,053 - $79,874 annual equivalent)
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
Frequency GuideRarely (R)Occasionally (O)Frequently (F)Constantly (C)Less than - 5%6 - 30%31% - 70%Over 70% Physical TaskFrequencyPhysical SurroundingsFrequencySittingFExtreme TemperaturesOStandingFInside WorkOWalkingFOutside WorkCRunningRWalking on uneven surfacesFStoopingOWorking at heightOKneelingOOther: SquattingO ClimbingOEnvironmental Conditions BalancingOExposure to ChemicalsFReachingFExposure to Gases/Fumes/DustFGraspingCHigh Noise LevelsFFingeringCModerate Noise LevelsCHandlingCVibrationsFVisual Acuity: NearFLight/Power Equipment OpsFVisual Acuity FarOHeavy Equipment OperationFDepth PerceptionRWork in TrafficFColor DiscriminationOLocal TravelFPeripheral VisionOOut of Town TravelRTalkingCOther: HearingC Other: Weight of Objects Moved Over 100 poundsO Over 50 PoundsO Over 10 poundsC
PRE EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL REQUIRED: NO
PRE EMPOYMENT DRUG SCREEN REQUIRED: NO
The Town of Estes Park offers a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include retirement, medical (eligible spouse, family), dental (family), vision(family), life insurance, sick leave, vacation, floating holidays, and volunteer leave. Our will provide more details. The Town also offers a Homeownership Program and aid for Dependent Care through a Flexible Spending Account.
Additional information regarding retirement: All town employees contribute to social security. In addition, this position participates in Colorado PERA retirement.
01
This position requires working an "on-call" work schedule including overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed and being able to respond to emergency situations per departmental policy. Are you willing and able to work a schedule like this?
  • Yes
  • No

02
This position has a residency requirement where the incumbant must establish and maintain residency within a 60 minute commute time of the Streets Shop, 577 Elm Road, Estes Park, CO 80517. Residency requirements must be met within six (6) months of hire. Are you able to meet this requirement?
  • Yes
  • No

03
Do you have a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED)?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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