Heavy Equipment Operator I/ Flower Crew Lead

**CDL Required**

Starts at $30.00 per hour!

Employee Housing Available!

The Town of Vail is now hiring a motivated & experienced individual to to join the public works department. Responsibilities include operation of a variety of light, medium, and heavy weight public works vehicles as well as assisting the Flower Crew Supervisor during the summer season (May - October). While the duties will vary depending on the season,  providing guest service through out the Town of Vail is always a priority. This is a hybrid, fully benefited, year-round position. 

During the winter season this position focuses on snowplowing and snow removal for the town.  This requires a regular call-in schedule, early mornings and overnight shifts. In addition, the position may be assigned to any functional area in Public Works as needed on a daily basis including performing street and structure construction or repair.

During the summer season this position focuses on leading, managing and directing seasonal employees within the Parks Department Flower Crew and operating a variety of light, medium, and heavy weight public works equipment for planter placement, material hauling, etc.

What type of work you can expect:

• Must be available for callout, overtime, holidays/shift/schedule changes, and 24 hour emergency response.
• Snow plowing, sanding/deicing, snow hauling, blowing snow, cutting snow-pack.
• Maintain the cleanness of Vail Village, LH Mall, & Bus Routes and stops.
• Traffic control
• Asphalt, concrete, masonry, brick paver’s repairs.
• Holiday decorating/de-decorating
• Obtain heavy equipment certifications.    
• Perform vehicle maintenance includes tire chains rebuilding, greasing equipment, cutting edges, and all other types of minor repairs.
• Haul materials and equipment with tandem/end dump or lowboy
• Clean culverts/shoulder grading, ditches, bike path maintenance, and all road                                                                                            
• Mechanical street sweeping.
• Obtain a class (A) Drivers License                                                             
• Assist with Special Events including installation /removal of banners/flags.            
• Tree cutting/removal and operating chipper.
• Assist in supervising and managing seasonal flower crew employees
• Spring clean up including raking, sweeping, trash removal, fertilizing flower/shrub beds
• Assist in the greenhouse operation including monitoring the temperature and watering
• Assist in scheduling to ensure that all of the pots/window boxes/ hanging baskets receive the amount of water they need to stay strong throughout the summer.
• Assist in the installation of hanging baskets and planters
• Assist in the planting of perennial beds
• Flower bed maintenance including weeding, watering, dead heading, cultivating, etc.
• Winter prep including removing annuals, cutting back perennials, top dressing with compost, covering beds that get covered with cinders, etc.
• Heal in perennials that did not get planted due to construction or bad weather, recovering these plants, and reviving them in the spring

Vail is a guest service oriented and resort destination community. We realize that to set the standard for world-class alpine resorts, our employees make all the difference! That is why we are looking for passionate individuals who strive for excellence in all that they do. Qualified applicants must must be self motivated and have the ability to work individually without direct supervision to accomplish multiple tasks. 

Work Environment and Conditions

• While performing the duties of this job normally is exposed to the outdoors in all weather conditions (including extreme cold temperatures) and all types of equipment noise, traffic, dust, heights, chemicals, fumes, and biohazards.
• The position involves mostly outside work, with occasional inside work with exposure to all types of equipment noise, traffic, dust, chemicals, and fumes.
• Meet division safety training requirements; maintain required health and safety certifications according to safety requirements.

Physical Demands

• The duties of this job include physical activities such as stooping, kneeling, standing, reaching, walking, lifting and/or move (up to 100 pounds), grasping, talking, and hearing/listening, seeing/observing, and repetitive motions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to work in malodorous, nauseating and dangerous work conditions. Must be able to withstand inclement weather such as snow, cold, rain, heat, humidity, sun, etc.
• Must be physically able to use a variety of small tools, operate equipment and or drive vehicles for extended period of time.
• Must be able to walk, climb, and descend for extended distances over various types of terrain.
• Must be able climb ladders and work at different heights.
• Must be able to deal with stressful situations as they arise.

What it Takes to Do the Job

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work a varying schedule, including evenings, emergency response, weekends and holidays, when necessary.
• Knowledge of materials, methods, practices, and equipment used in street maintenance and related activities.
• Knowledge of practical elements as they relate to street maintenance and traffic control.
• Knowledge of plant identification and basic landscape knowledge.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Basic computer skills, including knowledge of MS Office programs Outlook, Word and Excel; ability to learn other computer skills.
• Ability to work independently without supervision.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action.
• Knowledge and understanding of safety principles and the ability to follow the safety manual.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with management, fellow employees, contractors, guests, and external customers. 
• Ability to maintain regular and dependable attendance on the job, including attendance and job performance for possibly prolonged periods of time when called out on short notice due to weather conditions, emergencies, and similar situations of public necessity.
• Must be able to pass a federally-mandated drug and alcohol test at any time.

 Education, Experience and Certificates

• Graduation from an accredited high school or GED.
• Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid class “A” commercial driver’s license within three months of hire.
• Able to operate a variety of heavy equipment and vehicles.
• Preferred 1 to 2 years of public works or landscaping experience.
• Preferred 1 to 2 years of experience leading a crew or multiple employees.
• The town may accept any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Are you interested in living and working in Vail, CO?  Vail, which is centrally located in the Rocky Mountains, offers easy access to Denver (100 miles to the east) and is surrounded by the White River National Forest, offering world class outdoor activities in summer and winter (skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, white water).

When asked, most of our employees say that working for the Town of Vail feels like family.  Our values-based culture is nurtured by the employees’ strong desire to foster teamwork, take ownership in Vail’s future and an overall pride for serving their community.  Let’s not forget that our efforts not only benefit the community but also allow us to enjoy the spectacular amenities and culture in the Vail Valley which we call home! To find out more about our community, please visit our website www.vailgov.com and click on Vail Information.

Year-Round Benefits (2024 Benefits Outline)

The Town of Vail offers an excellent benefits and compensation package to our Full-time employees. This includes health and dental coverage, town-funded retirement, 457 pre-tax savings plan, life/survivor insurance, tennis pass, golf pass and other ski pass/wellness benefits. 

What’s more, the town offers many other benefits to help employees make Vail their “home” including employee housing options, home buyer/renter assistance programs, day care assistance, education reimbursements, professional development opportunities and much, much more.