Lead Equipment Operator (Urban Drainage

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.

Anticipated Hiring Rate: $32.228 hourly

This is an in-person position. 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.

• 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.

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/…