About The Role

Anticipated Hiring Range: $26.57 - $32.99 Hourly

Full Salary Range: $26.57 - $38.53 Hourly

Why Do I See Two Salary Ranges?

The City of Greeley, in compliance with Colorado state law, includes a salary range for all positions posted. This law improves wage transparency. We post both the full salary range and the anticipated hiring range, where we expect to make an offer. Offers are based on experience, education, certifications, and other factors.

City of Greeley's Total Rewards

The City of Greeley is committed to providing a comprehensive total rewards program that supports employees in their work by encouraging excellence and investing in employee development and recognition. This philosophy is grounded in fiscal responsibility, organizational effectiveness, and employee safety and well-being, ensuring the responsible stewardship of public resources while offering meaningful and comparable rewards. This approach ensures that the city remains an attractive, inclusive, and rewarding work environment, while also effectively serving the community.

Benefits: This position is benefits eligible. Please view our benefits guide here.

Job Summary

The Equipment Operator II is a skilled member of the Transmission & Distribution Division responsible for operating heavy equipment and performing construction, maintenance, and repair activities on the City's water distribution and wastewater collection systems. The position reports to the applicable Crew Supervisor I and operates equipment used for excavation, installation, repair, and maintenance of water and sewer infrastructure while supporting emergency response and after-hours operations.

The position serves as a team leader on assigned projects, provides equipment operation and safety training to less-experienced employees, and assists with project coordination, permitting, documentation, asset management, and customer communication. The Equipment Operator II works with a high degree of independence and exercises sound judgment to address changing field conditions while ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with City standards and procedures.

This is an FMCSA-regulated, safety-sensitive position subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements, including pre-employment and random testing.

Experience, Education, and Skills

Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Current Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tanker endorsement or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
Current Class 1 Distribution Operator Certification or ability to obtain within 3 months.
Three (3) or more years of experience in utility or water construction methods, water distribution systems, or a related field.
Current Trenching and Excavation Safety Certification ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
Current Confined Space Entry Certification ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
Ability and willingness to participate in a rotational on-call schedule.
Ability and willingness to respond to after-hours emergencies within 45 minutes when required, including when not scheduled for on-call duty.

OR

Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job,

AND

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

Specialized technical or vocational training beyond high school, typically completed through a program of less than 18 months.
Four (4) or more years of experience in utility or water construction methods, water distribution systems, or a related field.
Current Flagger Certification.
Class 2, 3, or 4 Distribution Operator Certification.
Previous team lead or crew leadership experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of water distribution and wastewater collection systems, utility construction methods, and maintenance and repair practices.
Knowledge of heavy equipment operation, excavation, trenching, backfilling, compaction, and related construction practices.
Knowledge of work-zone safety, traffic control, PPE, trenching and excavation safety, and safe equipment operation.
Skill in safely operating heavy equipment and commercial vehicles in varying field, traffic, and weather conditions.
Skill in interpreting utility maps, construction plans, work orders, permits, and other technical information.
Ability to troubleshoot field conditions, exercise sound judgment, and adjust work activities based on operational and safety needs.
Ability to calculate materials, coordinate resources, prioritize work, and complete required documentation accurately.
Ability to serve as a team leader and train employees in equipment operation, safety, and work procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively and maintain positive working relationships with employees, contractors, customers, and the public.
Ability to respond effectively to emergencies, after-hours calls, and changing operational priorities while following City policies, procedures, and safety requirements.

Essential Functions

Equipment Operation and Utility Construction

Operates and maintains heavy equipment used in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water distribution and wastewater collection infrastructure, including backhoes, excavators, loaders, skid steers, dump trucks, semi-tractor trailers, and other assigned construction equipment.
Performs excavation, backfilling, grading, loading, hauling, compaction, and other equipment operations associated with the installation, repair, and maintenance of water mains, service lines, valves, hydrants, wastewater lines, and related infrastructure.
Safely operates commercial vehicles and equipment requiring a Class A CDL with applicable endorsements.
Performs routine inspections and basic preventive maintenance of assigned vehicles and equipment and identifies equipment concerns requiring repair or additional maintenance.
Evaluates field, weather, site, and equipment conditions and modifies or stops work when conditions create safety or operational concerns.
Establishes and adjusts work zones and traffic-control patterns to protect employees, motorists, pedestrians, and the public.

Crew and Operational Support

Serves as a team leader for assigned projects and work activities and provides direction to team members in the absence of the Supervisor or Equipment Operator III.
Trains and assists Equipment Operator I, Maintenance Technician, and other assigned employees in the safe operation, inspection, and maintenance of heavy equipment.
Assists the Supervisor with project scheduling, prioritization, coordination, and follow-up to support efficient completion of assigned work.
Assists with the Stand-by and Crossing Program and other assigned Transmission & Distribution programs and operational activities.
Calculates quantities of concrete, asphalt, aggregate, dirt, rock, and other materials needed for projects and assists with ordering and coordinating materials and supplies.
Troubleshoots field and operational issues and determines appropriate courses of action within established policies, procedures, technical standards, and assigned authority.
Works independently and collaboratively with supervisors, team members, contractors, other City departments, and external partners.

Emergency and On-Call Response

Participates in a rotational on-call schedule and responds to water and wastewater emergencies, including water main breaks, service leaks, infrastructure failures, and other urgent operational needs.
Responds to overtime and after-hours assignments as required and assists with coordinating personnel, equipment, materials, traffic control, and other resources necessary to address emergency conditions.
Communicates with supervisors, employees, customers, and other City departments regarding emergency conditions, service impacts, and work activities.

Safety and Training

Follows and promotes established safety practices and procedures, including work-zone and traffic-control requirements, personal protective equipment, excavation safety, confined-space requirements, hazardous materials procedures, defensive driving, and safe equipment operation.
Identifies unsafe conditions or work practices and recommends or implements appropriate corrective actions within assigned authority.
Provides equipment-operation and safety training to less experienced employees and assists with required departmental safety and operational training.
Participates in safety meetings, equipment training, workshops, and other mandatory or voluntary training required by the City or Department.

Documentation, Permitting, and Asset Management

Completes and maintains accurate work orders, timesheets, equipment records, inspection documentation, reports, and other required records and enters applicable information into CityWorks.
Collects and provides accurate field and infrastructure information to support asset management, GIS/ArcGIS mapping, utility records, and infrastructure inventories.
Assists in the right-of-way permitting process, including preparing, reviewing, and approving applicable permits on behalf of the Water & Sewer Department within assigned authority.
Prepares and coordinates traffic-control plans and other required documentation with appropriate City divisions.
Prepares routine reports, correspondence, and operational documentation as assigned.

Customer and Interdepartmental Service

Assists supervisor as a primary field contact for customers and residents affected by utility construction, maintenance, and emergency activities.
Responds to questions and concerns and provides notification regarding planned work, service interruptions, emergency repairs, and other utility activities.
Communicates effectively with supervisors, team members, contractors, other City employees, and the public.
Understands and complies with applicable City, Department, and Division policies, procedures, standards, and regulatory requirements.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Travel - Regular Local/Field Based Travel: This position requires regular travel within the County and nearby cities. Employees frequently travel to field sites, client locations, or other City buildings as part of their job duties. Access to a personal or City fleet vehicle may be required.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily outdoors throughout the City's water distribution and wastewater collection systems, including streets, easements, utility corridors, construction sites, and utility facilities, with occasional indoor work in shops and storage facilities.
Routinely works in varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, and ice.
Regularly works around and operates heavy equipment, commercial vehicles, pumps, compressors, and construction equipment, with exposure to noise, vibration, dust, fumes, chemicals, and other potentially hazardous materials.
Performs work in active roadways, construction zones, excavations, trenches, confined spaces, and around pressurized utility infrastructure while following applicable safety, traffic-control, and PPE requirements.
May be exposed to standing water, mud, biological hazards, chemicals, and other environmental contaminants associated with water and wastewater operations.
Work requires traversing uneven terrain and accessing trenches, vaults, valve boxes, confined spaces, and elevated areas as necessary.
Participates in an on-call rotation and may work extended shifts, overtime, evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency assignments in response to main breaks, service interruptions, severe weather, and other operational emergencies.

Physical Requirements

Mobility: Ability to frequently walk, stand, climb, enter and exit heavy equipment and commercial vehicles, navigate uneven terrain, enter trenches and confined spaces, and access water distribution and wastewater collection infrastructure.
Strength: Ability to regularly lift, carry, push, and pull tools, materials, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally move heavier materials up to 100 pounds with assistance or appropriate equipment.
Endurance: Ability to perform physically demanding construction, maintenance, and equipment operation activities for extended periods in varying weather and field conditions while maintaining attention to safety and quality.
Dexterity: Ability to safely operate heavy equipment, commercial vehicles, hand and power tools, controls, and specialized utility construction and maintenance equipment requiring manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
Flexibility: Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach overhead and below waist level, and work in restricted or awkward positions while performing utility construction, maintenance, and repair activities.
Vision and Hearing: Ability to inspect equipment and infrastructure; read gauges, utility maps, plans, work orders, and technical information; and maintain awareness of surrounding vehicles, equipment, employees, and traffic. Ability to hear verbal instructions, equipment sounds, alarms, and warning signals in field and construction environments.
Must possess and maintain a valid DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT medical card) throughout employment as required for the operation of commercial motor vehicles.

EOE Statement: The City of Greeley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

ADA Statement: We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process. We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodation through the search process such as alternative formats of this posting. Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodations throughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinator at: [email hidden] .

Conditions of Employment: The City of Greeley is an at-will employer. Employees and the City may terminate employment at any time for any reason. Candidates must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings and employment eligibility verification. Pre-employment screenings include a drug test, a background and national sex offender search, a motor vehicle record search, and for some positions, a physical demands evaluation. For more information about City policies and practices during the recruitment process, including but not limited to EOE, Reasonable Accommodation, and pre-employment screenings, please visit our career page HERE .