Heavy Equipment Operator

Salary : $57,408.00 - $66,040.00 Annually
Location : Santa Fe, NM
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600341
Department: Public Works
Division: Road Maintenance
Opening Date: 08/26/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 5:00 PM Mountain
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME 1782
Department Contact Information: Tawny Baca View phone number on click.appcast.io
Union Eligibility: Position is Union eligible after completion of one (1) year probationary period.
Budget Amount: $31.75


Primary Purpose


Operates light to heavy-duty equipment for the construction, maintenance and repair of County roads or facilities, according to established policies, procedures, and safety protocols. Equipment includes, but is not limited to, mulcher, conveyor broom, mower, water truck, double drum roller, sheepsfoot roller, skid steer, jetter trailer, dozer (D4), pneumatic roller, sweeper, jetter truck, scraper, backhoe, loader, excavator, chip spreader, unimog, grader, paver, dozer (D8), and transport semi-truck.

Essential Job Functions

• Operates light to heavy duty equipment in all phases of construction, maintenance or repair of County roads and facilities; performs concrete work and pothole repairs; sets up work zones and performs traffic control flagging; prepares roadways by clearing and grubbing; trims trees; cleans ditches; cleans and installs culverts; hauls materials and equipment; mows roadways; operates road grader; paves and chip seals roads; smooths roadway surfaces and builds road shoulders, bar ditches and roadway crowns; grades finish work, blue topping and dressing slopes with the bulldozer; operates transits and lasers for shooting grade elevations; operates landfill trenching, compacting, and material loading equipment; plows snow from roadways; evaluates emergency situations, such as flooding, and makes decisions on work to be performed.
• Schedules maintenance on assigned equipment; reports malfunctions or failures to supervisor; performs minor repairs on the equipment; maintains equipment logs; and completes daily work reports.
• Ensures proper care and follows safety established safety protocols in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.
• Performs other duties as directed or assigned.

Knowledge / Skills:

• Working knowledge of equipment operation; of minor vehicle maintenance and repair; and of occupational hazards and proper safety procedures.
• Working knowledge of motor graders, front end loaders, excavators, skid steers, backhoes, dump trucks, water trucks, tractor trailers, sweepers, mowers, pickups, pavers, chip spreaders, rollers, transits, lasers, shovels, rakes, chainsaws, pickaxes, impact hammers, torches, welders, and other tools, equipment or machinery used in road maintenance and construction.
• Ability to follow verbal and/or written instructions; and to maintain logs and prepare reports; and to comply with applicable NMDOT regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent. Must have practical experience or training operating heavy equipment associated with road construction and maintenance totaling 2 years.
• Must possess or obtain a New Mexico Certified Driver's License (CDL), CDL Class A or B within six (6) months of date of hire (training provided by Santa Fe County).
• Must possess or obtain a New Mexico CDL Tanker Endorsement within six (6) months of date of hire (training provided by Santa Fe County).
• Must possess or obtain ATSSA/ACNM Flagger Certification within six (6) months of date of hire to meet NMDOT requirements for managing road closure work zones (training provided by Santa Fe County).
• Must possess and maintain OSHA 10 and First Aid, CPR and AED certifications or obtain within six (6) months of hire (training provided by Santa Fe County). OSHA 30 training is optional.
• Must complete the Santa Fe County Internal Equipment Training program for this position within one (1) year of hire.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

Works outdoors in varied weather conditions with exposure to dust, fumes, airborne particles, allergens, and extreme heat or cold. Work involves high risk and potentially dangerous situations working near hazardous/moving materials, equipment and machinery; exposure to excessive noise; and working with hostile and/or offensive individuals. The use of protective clothing, equipment, devices and materials is required. Work requires the ability to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands or arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk, hear, and smell; clarity of vision at short and long distance; and the ability to lift up to 100lbs. Work may be performed in rough terrain and may risk falls and bruises. Work schedule shall include evening, weekend and holiday hours. Position will be subject to random drug screening, per NMDOT regulation.

Conditions of Employment:

Selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Additionally, selected candidate must submit to and pass a county paid criminal background screening. Selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class A or B Driver's License as incumbent shall be appointed to drive a County vehicle during the performance of his/her duties. Candidate must obtain and/or maintain certifications required.


Santa Fe County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of Santa Fe County to ensure equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, age, physical or mental handicap, sex, national origin, ancestry, religion, serious medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or political affiliation.
Santa Fe County is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time and part-time employees who work 20 hours per week. You will receive plan booklets, which give you more detailed information about each of these programs.

BENEFITS OFFERED

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Gym Membership

To learn more details, visit our website:
01


Do you have a High School diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have 2 or more years of experience or training in operating heavy equipment associated with road construction and maintenance?

• Yes
• No

Required Question