Demo

Light Equipment Operator

City of Las Cruces
Las Cruces, NM Full Time
POSTED ON 4/17/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/17/2026

Operates a variety of light motorized equipment and vehicles as part of the City's parks maintenance and construction program.

Environmental Factors

Position functions outside with exposure to all traffic and weather conditions; frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals and contaminants, dust, fumes, noise, and vibration of electrical/mechanical equipment. Safety equipment is available and required to include safety shoes and ear protection.

Physical Factors

Position requires heavy physical work; frequent standing, walking, climbing, balancing, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, squatting, pushing/pulling, reaching from all levels, pushing/pulling, lifting, and carrying up to one hundred (100) pounds; visual acuity sufficient to perform essential job functions.



Work Situation Factors

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

Position will be advertised as continuous until filled, with periodic review of applications. 

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

This posting will be used to fill a full-time, regular; non-exempt; union-represented position within Public Works, but may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, temporary, contract, or other similar positions that become available in various City Departments.  

Pay Grade: BC09   


  • Loads, transports, and unloads various tools, parts, materials, supplies, and equipment to job sites; operates trucks, front end loaders, and backhoes to construct, repair, and maintain roads, properties, and structures in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures.


  • Operates equipment to make repairs for utility cuts; organizes work orders to ensure critical issues are addressed and repairs made.


  • Performs grounds upkeep and maintenance, mows, and fertilizes grass, and prunes trees to comply with established maintenance and care schedules and procedures.


  • Uses dump trucks, front loaders, and backhoes to haul, load, and dispose of debris from various job sites and repair locations; supports chip sealing, paving, milling, and other work performed on City roads.


  • Performs maintenance and minor repairs on small engines and equipment; sharpens lawn mower blades; welds and fabricates parts; identifies maintenance that needs to be performed by other shop staff to ensure safe and effective operation of equipment and vehicles.


  • Operates various power tools; works with field crews to assist with upkeep, repairs, and maintenance; assists with preparation of special events and tournaments to complete the set-up, staging, and clean-up required.


  • Performs storm drain locates; prevents damage to city storm drains and streets; responds to all locate tickets operating various equipment to accomplish work orders.


  • Cleans, sweeps, and maintains the safety of roadways, sidewalks, and storm drains for the City.


  • Coordinates and supports the purchasing, transport, and delivery of supplies as needed.



No specific educational requirement AND two (2) years of experience in light construction equipment operation, street construction, park maintenance, and/or landscaping. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.


Licenses/Certification(s)

Valid Class B commercial driver's license. Some positions may require Forklift operator certification within six (6) months of employment. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies.  


Knowledge of: principles, practices, techniques, activities, rules, and regulations related to the operations and functions of the position and services provided; current principles of record keeping and records management; principles and practices of effective research methods and data analysis, customer service, and problem resolution techniques; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; safe and effective use and maintenance of related tools, materials, and equipment; current methods and standards for preparing effective business correspondence; correct English usage, grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; business and personal computers and related software applications; City organization, operations, policies, and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.
Ability to: perform a variety of duties and responsibilities and assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands to meet deadlines; ensure appropriate levels of customer service to achieve expectations and meet objectives; read, understand, and assure compliance with a variety of policies, procedures, rules, standards, and regulations governing related activities and functions; collect applicable information and maintain accurate and timely records; maintain confidentiality of information and data; communicate effectively orally and in writing and use interpersonal skills to sufficiently exchange or convey information and receive work direction; prepare and present accurate and reliable information and reports; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public; safely and effectively operate relevant tools, equipment, and motorized vehicles; navigate across even and uneven surfaces; timely and accurately enter data and update records using various mediums and formats; take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines and carry out primary responsibilities in accordance with all governing regulations, statutes, and procedures to ensure achievement of goals and objectives.
Skills in: reading, understandingand applying relevant rules, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies, and procedureseffectively managing assignmentsresponding to inquiries timely and within the scope of delegated authorityresponding appropriately, maintaining objectivity and freedom from prejudice, and exercising sound judgment and understanding in all interactions; effectively working independently, or as a team member, in various environments with changing prioritiespreparing and presenting various reports, documents, forms, and correspondence; researching information, analyzing data, maintaining accurate records, and updating information in various mediums and formats; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; preparing and presenting information in a clear and concise manner; demonstrating appropriate and effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills; performing highly effective support in assigned areas.

Salary : $19

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the Light Equipment Operator.

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Equipment Maintenance Skill

    • Income Estimation: $41,592 - $69,410
    • Income Estimation: $50,084 - $69,688
  • Heavy Equipment Repair Skill

    • Income Estimation: $49,853 - $63,520
    • Income Estimation: $52,573 - $74,196
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at City of Las Cruces

  • City of Las Cruces Las Cruces, NM
  • Performs analytical work to assist department management in resolving budget, administrative, and management issues. Develops recommendations, writes repor... more
  • 10 Days Ago

  • City of Las Cruces Las Cruces, NM
  • Under general supervision, the Records and IPRA Clerk maintains, compiles, and disseminates agency records, adhering to all local, state, and federal regul... more
  • 10 Days Ago

  • City of Las Cruces Las Cruces, NM
  • Nature of Work This position ensures the delivery of reliable, secure, and uninterrupted critical services to MVRDA, its client agencies, and the surroundi... more
  • 10 Days Ago

  • City of Las Cruces Las Cruces, NM
  • Monitoring of high school, middle school, and elementary school participants and assist in the development and implementation of after school, summer progr... more
  • 14 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Light Equipment Operator jobs in the Las Cruces, NM area that may be a better fit.

  • Valley Custom Harvesting, LLC Arrey, NM
  • Harvest crops with agricultural machinery contracted to Gillis Farms to harvest vegetable crops. Set empty boxes during onion harvest. During inclement wea... more
  • 5 Days Ago

  • Mimbres Ranch, LLC Deming, NM
  • Operate or tend equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment. Adjust, repair, and maintain farm machiner... more
  • 5 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!