Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator I

Department: Operations & Maintenance

Location: 2400 BROADWAY SE

Pay: Probationary Hourly Rate of $23.97;
Union Hourly Rate of $24.45

Close Date: January 26, 2026

Employees at Bernalillo County enjoy the ability to team up with each other to build a high quality of life for our county residents, communities, and businesses. In addition to being an organization with a strong focus on work‑life balance, building a culture of flexibility, learning, and belonging the County offers many benefits. Employees of Bernalillo County enjoy many thoughtful rewards such as, but not limited to generous leave accruals;

career development opportunities; remote & flex‑work options as appropriate; longevity pay; education assistance program; health benefits; lucrative retirement; and so much more.

Under the direction of a Public Works Maintenance Supervisor, operate and maintain light to heavy equipment to perform public works projects, road maintenance, and construction activities. Perform duties and responsibilities in accordance with safety standards in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures. Work schedule other than the normal work hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as scheduled and/or required.

• Perform safety inspections and operate on and off‑road vehicles and equipment in accordance with safety standards which includes but is not limited to the safe operational status of equipment; testing of tire conditions and air pressure; brakes; mechanical and engine fluids; water; brake lights; headlights; and other related systems and equipment.
• Operate vehicles under adverse weather conditions and works on a schedule other than the normal work hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as scheduled and/or required.
• Functional use of the mobile access management work order system for assignments and entries of related system tasks.
• Operate light to very heavy motorized equipment which includes but is not limited to bulldozers, motor graders, backhoes, trench diggers, lifts, bucket truck, scrapers, snowplow truck, belly dump, salt spreader truck, asphalt distributor and loader, rotary broom, tandem water and dump truck, bobtail truck, sweeper, tractor weed mower, flatbed truck rubber tire roller, and steel wheel roller.
• Operate vehicles for the purpose of towing, backing, and transport of other vehicles and equipment; hauling sand, aggregate, and other road building material, street paving; pumping and draining water; maintenance of rights‑of‑way and unpaved road and parking surfaces; and cutting of weeds and grass along county roads.
• Perform other labor‑intensive duty which includes but is not limited to using hand and power tools to break, mix, and place concrete and asphalt; installation of pipe sections, valves and fittings; lifting and loading of materials and equipment; cutting and clearing trees, brush and debris such as trash.
• Operate pumps, hydrants, hoses and other auxiliary equipment as needed or required.
• Attend department meetings and complete paperwork as needed in the performance of job responsibilities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of all employees assigned to this job.

• High school diploma or GED. Three (3) years general road construction experience including the operation of various types of heavy equipment; two (2) of those years must include the full‑time operation of motor graders, or one (1) year in the full‑time operation of motor graders plus certification from a vocational trades training facility as a motor grader operator. (Experience as a motor grader operator must be specifically and clearly defined on employment application.)
• Must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License, Class A OR must obtain a valid New Mexico CDL, Class A license prior to employment date.

• Employee must…