Tornado Clean Up Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $55,150.00 - $79,920.00 Annually
Location : El Paso County, Colorado Springs, CO
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2600236
Department: Department of Public Works
Division: Highway
Opening Date: 06/02/2026
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Non-Exempt
HR Contact Information: Antoinette Holmes: AntoinetteHolmes@elpasoco.com
Need help with applying? Visit our Talent Acquisition page here for application guidance and resources.
VISION
El Paso County will be a trusted regional leader known for excellence in county service delivery.
PURPOSE
We provide essential public services to the Pikes Peak Region in support of our residents, businesses, and communities, enhancing the freedom for all to thrive.
VALUES
Service Focused • Collaborative • Accountable • Trustworthy • Transparent
Job Summary
Are you an experienced heavy equipment operator who excels in fast-paced field environments? Do you take pride in leading crews, solving operational challenges, and supporting the safety and reliability of our community's infrastructure? If so, El Paso County's Public Works Department is looking for a Lead Equipment Operator to support our Urban Drainage Crew.

• Leadership and Coordination: Lead and support the daily activities of the Urban Drainage crew, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality work.
• Heavy Equipment Operation: Operate excavators, backhoes, loaders, graders, and specialized trucks used throughout Urban Drainage assignments.

• Urban Drainage Maintenance: Inspect, install, clean, and maintain drainage systems, culverts, and ditches to reduce flooding risks and keep infrastructure performing as intended. Safety Compliance: Maintain strict adherence to safety practices, conduct regular inspections, and reinforce safe work habits across all crew activities.

• Training and Mentoring: Provide guidance and training to crew members on equipment operation, safety, and job expectations to support professional growth.
• Equipment Maintenance: Oversee preventive maintenance and safety checks for all assigned equipment to ensure readiness and reliability.
• Problem Solving: Respond to operational or personnel issues quickly and effectively to keep work moving and minimize downtime.

If you're ready to lead high-performance crews, support critical drainage and roadway operations, and contribute to safe and reliable service for the community, we encourage you to apply.
Anticipated Hiring Rate: $32.228 hourly
This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday - Thursday, 6:30am - 5:00pm; subject to change and on-call as needed.
Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.
Serves as the Team Leader for an assigned Department of Public Works, Highway Division Operational team; provides direction, training, and oversight to crew(s). Operates a variety of equipment and tools to perform maintenance and repair functions, construction, installations, or other work; performs snow removal operations. Provides leadership on project site and supervision in the absence of the Supervisor. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Oversees crew(s) in a variety of maintenance and construction duties. Position may be for various crews including asphalt, general maintenance, truck string, drainage, traffic, and signs.
• Provides direction and daily task assignments to crew members. Ensures safety procedures are followed and up-to-date information is provided to crew(s). Provides input and support to the leadership regarding applicable performance evaluations.
• Provides training on equipment and best practices for maintenance processes and procedures; guides and mentors employees.
• Performs manual labor using various tools, materials, and equipment. Performs snow removal operations.
• Loads and unloads equipment and materials. Prepares, maintains, and cleans equipment and job sites for various projects.
• Safely operates various types of construction and maintenance vehicles in compliance with laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of all work performed including tasks performed and materials used.
• Provides accurate tracking of crew's usage of materials and provides to the supervisor, including collecting and verifying daily delivery and pick-up tickets. Verifies accuracy of employee entry in timekeeping, including correct jobs and hours and equipment.
• Responds to on-call after hours emergencies, such as snow removal, flood repair, tornado clean-up, or other natural disaster or safety need for the motoring public.
• Performs supervisory duties in absence of the Highway Supervisor.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised: This classification requires functioning as a lead worker performing essentially the same job duties as those directed and includes overseeing work quality, training, instruction, and scheduling work. May include providing input on hiring/disciplinary action and work objectives/ effectiveness, performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed.
Supervision Received: Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Periodic direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of highway, construction, maintenance, and repair techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Must observe, follow, and ensure compliance with safety procedures and precautions.
• Ability to lead and train others; ability to objectively assess the performance of others.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, independently, and in a team environment.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations for practical working situations.
• Ability to communicate and establish effective working relationships with County staff and the public. Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions and interpret diagrams, blueprints, and specifications.
• Ability to complete Individualized Development Plan (IDP) based on area of assignment.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• Three years of experience in maintenance, repair, construction, or related experience.
• Three years of experience in the operation and maintenance of heavy equipment.
• One year of leadership experience in a public works environment, including providing guidance and direction to others.
• Six months of experience using a computer and various software programs, including Microsoft Office.

Preferred Education & Experience

• One year of welding experience with portable arc welder and oxy/acetylene torch.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Class A Commercial Driver's License with Tanker (N) Endorsement and no air brake (L) restriction.
• Must obtain and maintain necessary certifications and licenses as applicable to position.
• Lead Traffic Equipment Operator:
  • Must possess IMSA Sign and Pavement Markings Technician I Certification or equivalent.
  • Must possess current ATSSA or IMSA Traffic Control Technician Certification or equivalent.
• Must obtain a Colorado Flagger Certificate within sixty days of employment.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle check, drug screen, and physical examination.

Work Conditions
Duties are performed outdoors and requires lifting, bending, and climbing, at times in hazardous situations such as operating construction vehicles in adverse weather. Works with potentially dangerous equipment and tools; may work with hazardous materials, including fuels, paints, asphalts, herbicides, and pesticides. Must be able to safely lift and carry up to 40 pounds from the waist to the shoulders, lift 30 pounds from the floor to the head, push 80 pounds, and pull 100 pounds. horizontally. Subject to emergency off hours call-out. Subject to drug and alcohol testing.
The classification specification above is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities and minimum qualifications; specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and environmental conditions will vary depending on the needs of the department/office and the particular assignment. Changes to this document may only be made by a member of the Human Resources Department.
El Paso County is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer.
El Paso County adheres to Federal drug screening guidelines and requires a pre-employment drug screen.
Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave
• 11 paid holidays
• Onsite health centers
• Onsite fitness centers
• Reach Your Peak wellness program
• Short and long term disability
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts to include dependent care
• Employee assistance program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Retirement plan
• Deferred compensation (457b)

Click on links for and
01
How did you learn of this position?

• I am currently employed by EPC
• El Paso County Website
• Indeed.com
• Employee Referral
• Social Media (Twitter/Facebook)
• LinkedIn
• University/College Career Site
• Industry-specific Career Site
• Professional Membership Career Site
• Career Fair
• Other

02
Do you have three years of experience in maintenance, repair, construction, or related experience?

• Yes
• No

03
If your response to question #2 is yes, please provide details about your experience in maintenance, repair, construction, or related experience. Also, provide examples of your specific experience inspecting, installing, ditching, flushing, cleaning, and maintaining road drainage systems, culverts, and ditches. Applicants are expected to provide detailed responses. References such as "see résumé" or "N/A" do not demonstrate the required experience and may result in disqualification. If you do not have applicable experience, you may indicate "N/A."
04
Do you have three years of experience in operating and maintaining heavy equipment?

• Yes
• No

05
If your response to question #4 is yes, please provide details about your specific experience in operating and maintaining excavators, backhoes, and loaders. Applicants are expected to provide detailed responses. References such as "see résumé" or "N/A" do not demonstrate the required experience and may result in disqualification. If you do not have applicable experience, you may indicate "N/A."
06
Do you have one year of leadership experience in a public works environment, including providing guidance and direction to others?

• Yes
• No

07
If your response to question #6 is yes, please provide specific examples of how your leadership experience in a public works environment involved resolving conflicts among team members or handling challenging situations. How did your guidance and direction contribute to fostering a cohesive and productive work environment? Applicants are expected to provide detailed responses. References such as "see résumé" or "N/A" do not demonstrate the required experience and may result in disqualification. If you do not have applicable experience, you may indicate "N/A."
08
Do you have at least 6 months of experience using a computer and various software programs, including Microsoft Office?

• Yes
• No

09
If your response to question #8 is yes, please describe your experience using a computer and various software programs, including Microsoft Office. Applicants are expected to provide detailed responses. References such as "see résumé" do not demonstrate the required experience and may result in disqualification. If you do not have applicable experience, you may indicate "N/A."
10
Please select your valid driver status.

• Colorado Driver's License only
• Colorado Class B Commercial Driver's License Permit
• Colorado Class B Commercial Driver's License
• Colorado Class A Commercial Driver's License Permit
• Colorado Class A Commercial Driver's License
• License outside Colorado
• Commercial Driver's License outside of Colorado
• Instructional Permit Only
• Not applicable

11
Do you have a CDL Tanker Endorsement?

• Yes
• No

12
Do you have a CDL Air Brakes Restriction?

• Yes
• No

13
Do you have a Colorado Flagger Certificate?

• Yes
• No

14
Please indicate the number of years of experience you have with each of the following types of equipment. • Excavator• Skidsteer• Backhoe• Large Chipper• Gradall• Motorized Grader• Patch Truck• CDL Truck Operation(Example: Excavator 2 years, Skidsteer none, Backhoe 6 months, etc.)
15
Please indi...