Heavy Equipment Operator

Description

Position Summary

The Heavy Equipment Operator is responsible for keeping facilities operating in an efficient manner, utilizing various heavy equipment including but not limited to; bulldozers, scrapers, road graders, loaders, compactors, haul trucks, excavators, tarp machines, and other medium and light equipment, as needed. The heavy equipment operator provides daily machine inspection and lubrication to ensure safe and efficient operation. The operator also interprets GPS systems for accurate grading and contributes to site development and waste management through expert dirt work and compaction. Duties include performing equipment inspections, minor repairs, and lubrication; ensuring all safety protocols are followed; and providing courteous service to internal and external customers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs inspections of equipment and communicates observations, repairs, and recommendations.
• Responsible for safe and efficient operation of all equipment, outlined above. 
• Reads plans, maps and uses experience to place waste in the landfill.
• Lubricates, maintains, and makes minor mechanical repairs of related equipment.
• Performs periodic walk-around inspections of equipment to identify broken parts, leaks, or other potential malfunctions, checks engine fluids.
• Maintains and uses all safety and protective devices on all equipment and tools and personal safety equipment provided; knows and practices safe working procedures.
• Utilizes GPS technology to monitor and maintain proper landfill fill grades while operating heavy equipment, ensuring accurate placement of waste materials in compliance with engineering plans and environmental regulations.
• Safely place and compact waste materials to maximize air space and ensure environmental compliance.
• Provides courteous external and internal customer service.

Environmental Stewardship – Demonstrates an understanding of Metro Waste Authority’s Environmental Management System (EMS). Guided by the EMS processes and procedures, we focus on six main areas aimed at increasing diversion and/or protecting the environment. These include:

• Recycling
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection
• Organics Management
• Water Quality Improvement
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction
• Environmental Education

MWA Values - Demonstrates an understanding of Metro Waste Authority’s values and applies them to the position, and assigned responsibilities, as well as to all interactions with customers and co-workers.

• Leadership – Set the example because everyone is a leader!
• Integrity – Always do what is right!
• Positivity – Bring our best to every task, every day and bring out the best in your colleagues!
• Teamwork – Collaborate because we know that together we will address opportunities and challenges!
• Innovation – Forge a new path and evolve!

Behavioral Competencies

• Communicating Effectively - Expresses ideas and information in a clear and concise manner; tailors message to fit the interests and needs of the audience; delivers information in a manner that is interesting and compelling to the listener.
• Displaying Technical Expertise – Keeps his/her technical skills current; effectively applies specialized knowledge and skills to perform work tasks; understands and master’s the technical skills, knowledge, and tasks associated with his/her job; shares technical expertise with others.
• Following Policies and Procedures - Understands and follows company policies; encourages others to follow work rules; calls attention to actions that may violate policies and procedures.
• Learning Quickly - Quickly comprehends new problems and situations; needs very little time to learn and master new processes or tools; able to figure things out as he/she goes along.
• Performs Physical/Mechanical Tasks - Uses his/her hands effectively; able to perform tasks that require a high level of manual dexterity; able to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time; adept at working with machinery.
• Safety - Demonstrates “Safety First” in every activity; reports hazards and incidents promptly; fosters a culture of Safety, Service, Schedule with team interactions.
• Serving Customers - Builds strong relationships with customers; stays aware of customer needs, concerns and satisfaction; responds promptly to customer questions and requests; effectively manages customer expectations

Travel

• This position requires occasional travel to support other MWA facilities.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license
• 2-4 years’ experience operating bulldozers, front-end loaders or compactors.
• Familiarity with safety protocols and PPE usage

Preferred Education & Experience

• Commercial driver’s license
• Experience with GPS grading systems, road graders, and excavators
• Basic mechanical repair skills
• Landfill operations

Physical Demands

Maximum occasional floor to waist lift, 75 lbs.; Maximum occasional above shoulder lifting , 75 lbs.; Maximum occasional bilateral or preferred carry, 75 lbs..; Maximum occasional horizontal push/pull, 125 lbs. of force; Maximum occasional vertical push/pull, 125 lbs. of force; Maximum occasional right/left grip, 85 lbs. of force; Maximum frequent right/left 2-point/3-point/lateral pinch, 10/15/25 lbs. of force; Constant forward/lateral reaching; Occasional above shoulder reaching; Frequent sitting; Occasional to frequent standing; Occasional to frequent walking; Occasional stair climbing; Occasional ladder/equipment climbing; Occasional to frequent squatting; Occasional to frequent crouching; Occasional to Frequent kneeling; Occasional to frequent bending; Occasional to frequent stooping; Occasional to frequent twisting. 

Work Environment

Work is performed in an environment with undesirable conditions: exposure to extreme heat and cold, odors, noise, dust, fumes, moving parts, electrical shock, burns and toxic agents. Occupational hazards such as those generally associated with ongoing exposure to moving machinery/equipment leading to cuts, bruises, burns, strains, back injuries, and potentially more serious injuries.