We are a forestry company who are looking for an experienced equipment operator to join our wildfire mitigation and forestry operation near Allenspark, Colorado.
We’re looking for someone who knows how to run equipment, takes care of their machines, and is comfortable working independently in the woods. Most of the work is machine-based, including processing trees, skidding logs, mechanical tree felling, and forestry mulching.
Someone with forestry or logging experience would be ideal, but we’re also willing to consider an exceptional equipment operator from the construction industry who wants to get into forestry.
Pay: $25–$35 per hour, depending on experience and ability.
Schedule: Monday–Thursday, typically 10-hour days. Friday work is almost always available, with overtime pay when applicable.
Location: Primarily near Allenspark and throughout the northern Colorado Front Range. Some travel to other job sites is required. When work requires several consecutive days away, lodging and meals are provided, though extended trips are relatively uncommon.
This is year-round outdoor work in remote locations with limited cell service and facilities. Conditions include dust, mud, snow, extreme temperatures, steep terrain, and the hazards that come with forestry and heavy equipment operations.
Job duties
• Operate skid steers, excavator-mounted processing heads, log skidders, and forestry mulching equipment.
• Process trees, including delimbing, bucking, and handling logs.
• Perform mechanical tree felling and skidding operations.
• Fuel machines and perform daily preventative maintenance.
• Grease equipment, check fluids, clean radiators and screens, and perform routine machine care.
• Complete daily equipment inspections and keep machines clean and in good working order.
• Recognize developing mechanical issues and communicate when equipment needs service or repairs.
• Perform basic troubleshooting and help minimize unnecessary equipment downtime.
• Work safely and productively for extended periods in remote environments.
What we’re looking for
• Experience operating heavy equipment in forestry, logging, land clearing, or construction.
• Forestry processing head and log skidder experience is a big plus.
• Strong machine control and good judgment, especially in tight spaces and on uneven or steep ground.
• Someone who takes pride in their work and treats equipment as if they own it.
• The ability to recognize when something isn’t operating correctly and address issues before they become bigger problems.
• Reliability, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work independently.
• A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Four-wheel drive is strongly preferred due to winter weather and access conditions at job sites.
• Chainsaw proficiency is preferred but not required. If you’re a strong operator who wants to spend nearly all your time in the machine, we’d still like to hear from you.
Experience working in remote mountain environments and handling the challenges of forestry work is valuable.
What we offer
• $25–$35 per hour, depending on experience.
• A consistent Monday–Thursday schedule, typically 10-hour days.
• Frequent opportunities for additional Friday hours and overtime pay when applicable.
• Year-round work with a growing, owner-operated forestry company.
• Lodging and meals provided when projects require several consecutive days away from home.
• The opportunity to work with a variety of forestry equipment and develop additional skills.
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There is a three-month probationary period. We do not currently offer employee benefits, but adding benefits is a goal as the company continues to grow.
How to apply
Reply to this Craigslist posting with a little information about yourself, your equipment operating experience, and the type of work you’ve done. Include a phone number and the best time to reach you.
Please mention which machines you’ve operated, how much experience you have with forestry or construction equipment, and whether you’ve performed routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting yourself.
We’re looking for someone dependable who wants to do good work, takes care of equipment, and can be a solid part of a small operation.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.