Heavy Equipment Operator [Can read and work from construction plans]

Heavy Equipment Operators are the core of everything we do. You'll operate our fleet of excavators, dozers, loaders, and snowcats on active civil construction and snow removal projects — working alongside a skilled crew in one of Colorado's most dynamic mountain environments. This is a full-time, year-round position with real stability and a clear path forward.

Responsibilities

• Operate excavators, dozers, loaders, snowcats, and other heavy equipment with precision and efficiency
• Execute civil construction tasks: site preparation, grading, excavation, backfill, and material placement
• Operate snow removal equipment on commercial properties and job sites in all winter conditions
• Inspect equipment before and after every shift — fluids, tracks, hydraulics, attachments, safety systems
• Perform minor field maintenance; communicate mechanical issues to the field mechanic promptly
• Maintain accurate equipment logs and daily timecard entries
• Collaborate with crew leads, laborers, and site managers to keep projects on schedule

Qualifications

• [Required] Must be able to find grade and read construction plans
• Minimum 1 year hands-on experience operating excavators, bulldozers, loaders, or equivalent machinery
• Demonstrated ability to operate safely in varied terrain and weather conditions including snow and extreme cold
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record required; CDL a plus
• Working knowledge of equipment safety protocols and basic maintenance procedures
• Reliable, punctual, and a strong collaborator — our crews depend on each other
• Comfortable working at elevation and in mountain weather environments year-round
• High school diploma or equivalent required

Compensation & Benefits

$30.00 – $45.00 per hour, depending on experience. Benefits include employer-sponsored health insurance, 401(k) with matching, paid time off, up to $2,500 relocation assistance, company-paid Winter Park Resort ski season pass, and employee referral program. Company vehicle for Lead Operators. Significant overtime opportunity.

Schedule: 40 hours/week minimum. Overtime may be required during active construction and snow removal seasons. Weekend and after-hours shifts possible based on project and weather demands.

Founded in 2001 and now led by Jeremy Straley and Mark Wallace, Mountain States Snowcats is a year-round heavy civil and snow management company with deep roots in Grand County and proven capacity across the Mountain West.