Job Description

Position Summary:

A Senior Land Rehabilitation and Maintenance (LRAM) Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) position is available at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, with Colorado State University (CSU) and the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML). This position will support the Fort McCoy Integrated Training Area Management (ITAM) program to sustain realistic training land conditions and support the mission requirements for units at the installation. The Senior LRAM HEO will provide daily HEO support and assist the LRAM HEO Supervisor to provide supervisory oversight for all subordinate CSU/CEMML HEO staff supporting the ITAM program at Fort McCoy. This position will execute and oversee the operation of heavy equipment such as forestry shredders, dump trucks, skid steers, bull dozers, excavators, motor graders, agricultural tractors, utility trailers, heavy-duty trailers, and semi-trucks. Support will involve land rehabilitation, trail and training land maintenance and repair, mowing/shredding vegetation, reforestation, equipment maintenance, invasive species treatment, soil stabilization, and native vegetation restoration in the training lands. 

Fort McCoy is a United States Army Reserve installation located between Sparta and Tomah, Wisconsin. The 60,000-acre installation hosts a variety of diverse training habitats including forest and prairie ecosystems. The area has warm summers and cold winters. The installation supports year-round training from all branches of the armed services in a variety of realistic training scenarios.

Full Consideration Date: please apply by Monday, October 5th, 2026, 11:59pm (MT).
 

To learn more about CEMML’s contributions to land management, our mission, vision, and values, visit http://www.cemml.colostate.edu/.

For any questions regarding this position, contact Abigail Beckman, [email protected].

Essential Job Duties:

• Execute Day to Day Heavy Equipment Operation Tasks to complete LRAM projects; equipment operated includes, but is not limited to: 10 to 25 ton dump trucks (25 ton off road dumps at some locations) dozers, motor graders, front-in loaders, agricultural tractors, vibratory compactors, scrapers, forestry mowers (FECON), track hoes, and back hoes.
• Conduct activities to execute repair, maintenance, and reconfiguration projects in support of Army training missions, such as Mechanized Brush and Small Tree Removal; Thinning, Clearing (Rotary Cutter, FECON, Hydro-ax).
• Gravel and Aggregate Application; Rip Rap Application; Articulated/Cable Concrete Application.
• Provide crew training to assure accuracy of task performance and safely work in a dangerous/difficult environment.
• Perform operational maintenance and inspections on equipment for operational readiness and safety and make minor adjustment and perform operator maintenance on equipment operated.
• Work closely with the Installation Material Maintenance Activities (IMMA) shop to diagnose and coordinate more in-depth repairs of equipment.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with the supervisor and federal lead.
• Adapt work plans to changing conditions, i.e., weather, crew strength, unexpected problems with equipment, tools, projects, or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Use computers, spreadsheets, databases, and email programs for documenting work completion or communication. Track project for monthly/quarterly reports.
• Fulfill other duties and assignments as necessary to fulfill the mission and sub-missions of the ITAM program and DPTMS as approved by the Installation Point of Contact.

Supervision:

• Assist the Fort McCoy LRAM HEO Supervisor in overseeing subordinate full-time and seasonal employees; help manages, plans, and coordinates the daily activities of subordinate personnel.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all new hires).
• Must have a valid Class A or B commercial driver’s license (CDL), with no manual transmission restrictions along with associated medical records, at the time of employment and meet CSU standards for driving throughout the course of employment.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification.
• Be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly without assistance. Physically able to work outdoors and perform strenuous labor under all hazardous working conditions (e.g., intense heat, cold, high humidity, noxious plants and animals).
• Must be able to comply with all applicable regulations to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC) and public trust clearance. Furthermore, candidates are required at a minimum to complete a NACI/SF85 and successfully pass a federal background check to remain eligible for employment by CSU.
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by the proposed start date; CEMML will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A High School Diploma, General Education Development (GED), or equivalent.
• A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience operating heavy equipment in land management, restoration, rehabilitation, or another similar capacity utilizing equipment such as forestry shredders, bulldozers, dump trucks, excavators, front-end loaders/backhoes, skid steers, agricultural tractors, motor-graders, light and heavy-duty trailers, and semi-trucks.
• Experience performing operational, routine, and operator maintenance and inspections on all equipment to maintain operational readiness/safety and to keep machinery, equipment, and tools in good working condition.
• Experience working on military lands.
• Able to properly load, secure, and transport all heavy equipment with a range of trailers on both paved and dirt roads.
• Experience in facilitating planting operations, land clearing, site preparations, soil stabilization, grading, and road/trail maintenance.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; able to follow directions and work collaboratively with others as part of a team. Proficient use of computers, spreadsheets, and email programs for documenting work completion, communication, task tracking and other administrative tasks. Experience documenting and maintaining detailed records and creating electronic reports using the Microsoft Office suite of products.
• Able to work outdoors and perform strenuous labor under all hazardous working conditions (e.g., intense heat, cold, high humidity, noxious plants and animals). Able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly.

Preferred Qualifications:

• More than three (3) years professional experience operating heavy equipment in a land restoration, rehabilitation, management, or similar capacity. 
• One (1) year of professional experience supervising field crews. 
• Experience supporting the ITAM program.
• Experience working in a highly structured organization and knowledge of Army Instructions, directives, guidance, and processes.
• Herbicide application experience and experience in invasive species management.
• Experience with land rehabilitation, horizontal construction techniques, and erosion control practices specific to State and/or EPA approved Best Management Practices (BMPs) required to achieve compliance.
• Ability to read and navigate using maps, GIS applications, aerial photographs, compasses, and GPS units.

Salary Range

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.