Light Equipment Operator - Solid Waste

Department: Solid Waste

Job Title: Light Equipment Operator

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Supervisor: Road & Bridge Director, Solid Waste Foreman

Salary: $44,718/year ($21.50/hour) - $64,282/year ($30.90/hour)

Revision Date: 6/2026

Requirements: Works a rotating schedule that includes weekends and holidays, subject to an on-call schedule, and emergency call-outs 24/7.

About Us: The City of Craig provides a wide range of essential services designed to ensure the smooth functioning of daily life for our residents. Key services provided include public safety, infrastructure maintenance such as road repairs, waste management, and water utilities, as well as local government support through licensing, permitting, and zoning. The city also offers community engagement programs, park maintenance, and recreation opportunities. The municipal team plays a vital role in fostering a positive work environment and addressing the needs of the community.

About the Department: The Solid Waste Department for the City of Craig is a critical municipal service dedicated to keeping the community clean, healthy, and well-maintained. The department oversees residential and commercial refuse collection and disposal, ensuring efficient waste removal throughout the city. Working as part of the city’s public works infrastructure, the team supports environmental stewardship by managing trash collection, coordinating with disposal facilities, and promoting responsible waste practices for residents and businesses alike. With a focus on reliable service and community standards, the Solid Waste Department plays a key role in maintaining Craig’s quality of life.

About the Role: The Light Equipment Operator in the City of Craig’s Solid Waste Department plays an essential role in maintaining efficient waste management and public works operations. In this full-time position, the operator is responsible for safely operating and maintaining a range of light machinery to support solid waste collection, transportation, and related tasks. This includes performing daily safety checks, handling equipment with precision, and helping ensure clean, reliable services for residential and commercial routes throughout the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The essential functions and responsibilities listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position. Duties and responsibilities are also subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

· Schedules and drives residential and business routes to collect and dispose of refuse and debris from containers, streets, alleys, etc.

· Cleans up spills and makes sure containers are properly positioned.

· Cross-trained on all refuse trucks and routes, i.e., Automated Side Load truck, Front Load truck, and Rear Load truck.

· Repairs and maintains dumpsters and containers.

· Handles complaints and customer demands as quickly and efficiently as possible.

· Completes daily operator Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) pre-trip inspection checklist to ensure vehicles are safe and operable.

· Performs routine vehicle maintenance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

· Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

· Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

· Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

· Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

· Ability to maintain good working relationships with the public and city employees.

· Ability to operate a vehicle, observing legal and defensive driving practices.

· Ability to operate equipment and machinery requiring monitoring multiple conditions and making multiple, complex, and rapid adjustments.

· Ability to perform heavy manual tasks for extended periods of time.

· Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, blueprints and layouts, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

· Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.

· Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions

· Ability to use Microsoft Office.

· Ability to work safely.

· Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Required Education, Training, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other: High school education or G.E.D. and seven to twelve months related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be 18 years of age or older. Must have a valid driver’s license with a safe driving record. Must pass a DOT physical. Must have current CDL – Class B or ability to obtain within first year of employment. Subject to random drug/alcohol testing. Subject to call out 24/7. Willing to obtain educational and certification requirements as needed. Must successfully pass background, drug, and safe driving record.

Preferred Education, Training, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other: High school diploma or G.E.D.; and one year related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be 18 years of age or older. Must have a valid driver’s license with a safe driving record. Must pass a DOT physical. Must have current CDL – Class B or ability to obtain within first year of employment. Subject to random drug/alcohol testing. Subject to call out 24/7. Willing to obtain educational and certification requirements as needed. Must successfully pass background, drug, and safe driving record.

Supervision: None.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee regularly lifts and/or move up to 25 pounds, and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental/Motor Demands: The mental/motor demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Routine duties; minor decision-making; awareness of safety.

Work Environment: The work environment described here are representitive of the duties of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen, insect stings, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves moderate exposure to dangerous situations. Involves moderate exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations.

Benefits: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, 401a with employer match, Life Insurance, Long-term disability, and Flex Spending account.

The City of Craig is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position, as well as meet the physical demands, mental/motor demands, and work environment characteristics. The City encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.08 - $30.30 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person