Seasonal Skidder Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $21.81 - $26.18 Hourly
Location : Durango, CO
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00132
Department: Public Works
Division: Recycling Center - 8413
Opening Date: 07/02/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Schedule Details:: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Description
Join the City of Durango in our commitment to sustainability! We're looking for a Recycling Center Operator to provide excellent customer service at the public drop-off area of the City of Durango's recycling program. In this role, you will operate light, power-driven equipment used for recycling collection and processing, and your responsibilities will include semi-skilled preventative maintenance tasks and activities that support sanitation, recycle collection, and recycle processing.
City of Durango's Trail to Excellence
The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.
At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the of providing excellent service and reaching the city's vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible. The full details of this vision are outlined in the
As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because:

• Your ideas help shape citywide improvements.
• The work you do ties directly into measurable goals.
• You'll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results.

We're looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing - and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.
Essential Job Duties
What You'll Do in This Role:

• Staff and operate the Recycle Center public drop-off area, providing excellent customer service.
• Operate maintenance and material handling equipment (e.g., skid loaders, forklifts, mowers, weed cutters, hedgers, Bobcat attachments) for site maintenance, construction, and recycling operations.
• Process, sort, relocate, and load recycled materials.
• Operate all recycling processing equipment and perform routine preventive maintenance and minor repairs, including completing weekly maintenance checks.
• Process payments (cash, check, and credit card) for all public and commercial recycling transactions.
• Maintain accurate daily production logs and records.
• Maintain the overall cleanliness and order of the Recycle Center facility, including grounds, parking lots, and storage areas.
• Clear snow and ice from roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots.

Minimum Qualifications
You Have:

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Two years of experience performing maintenance work and operating light, power-driven equipment.
• The ability to maintain a valid driver's license during employment.

You Will Succeed in This Role if You:

• Are committed to delivering excellent customer service.
• Have experience with basic cash handling.
• Are skilled in performing semi-skilled maintenance, janitorial tasks, and heavy manual labor.

Supplemental Information
What We Can Offer You:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Ample personal time off (PTO) and 11 paid holidays.
• 401(a) retirement plan and optional deferred compensation plan.
• Basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (FMLA).
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Free access to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink & Ski Area.
• Holistic Employee Wellness Program, addressing physical, mental, financial, and professional well-being.
• Free transit pass and family member discounts.
• Reimbursement for job-related classes to foster continuous learning.
• Sixteen hours of volunteer time off per year to support local non-profit organizations.

To view the full Solid Waste Operator I job description, click here.
Belong at the City of Durango:
We believe in creating an inclusive workforce that welcomes diversity of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences.
The City of Durango is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.
City of Durango's Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including medical, dental & vision insurance, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, and paid time off.
To learn more details, visit our
01
Do you have a high school diploma or GED equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have two years of experience performing maintenance work and operating light, power-driven experience?

• Yes
• No

03
Have you been previously employed by the City of Durango?

• Yes
• No

04
If you answered yes, provide previous City positions and approximate dates for those positions.
05
Do you have any relatives who currently work for the City of Durango?

• Yes
• No

06
If you answered yes, provide your relative's name, the department they work in, and their relationship to you.
07
Have you ever been convicted of a crime, including misdemeanors, deferred sentences/judgements?

• Yes
• No

08
If you answered yes to having been convicted, you are REQUIRED to provide DATE(S) and DESCRIPTION(S) of offense(s) below.
09
Will you require employer sponsorship now or in the future in order to be authorized to work for us under U.S. law?

• Yes
• No

Required Question