Landfill Equipment Operator

Perform semiskilled and skilled duties, including a variety of City maintenance, construction, and repair involving the operation of light and heavy construction and automotive equipment.

With this position, you could operate a Cat D8 dozer, 836 compactor, 340 Excavator, 745 haul truck, and a 627k scraper, along with a handful of other smaller equipment. 

1. Operate bulldozers, loaders, landfill compactors, hook lift trucks, alternative daily cover applicators, grinder, and other light and heavy equipment to handle refuse, tires, asbestos, recyclable materials, and solid waste delivered to the City’s landfill or solid waste facilities within the specifications required by federal and state law.

2. Operate heavy equipment to excavate, construct, and maintain landfill facilities within the specifications for solid waste disposal; load and haul dirt to the fill area to be used for the daily cover of solid waste.

3. Operate light and heavy equipment to construct and maintain roads and platforms accessing landfill areas.

4. Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on equipment and machinery as required; maintain records of equipment use and repair; may assist mechanic in major repairs; service equipment, including fueling, oil changes, repairing tires and chains, changing cutting edges, checking hydraulics, etc.

5. Perform miscellaneous duties, including picking up trash and solid waste from roads, driveways, and ditches entering and surrounding the City landfill. Perform property cleanup activities for special projects and/or nuisance abatement as assigned. Repair damaged buildings, infrastructure, and other property on landfill grounds, etc.

6. Perform snow and ice control and removal procedures, including plowing, sanding, spreading deicing chemicals, loading trucks, hauling snow, shoveling sidewalks, or assisting mechanics in the maintenance of snow removal equipment.

7. Perform other such duties and functions as may be necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Graduation from high school or GED certification with a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in performing manual and semiskilled work in construction and/or maintenance activities, including the operation of some light and heavy construction-related equipment used in construction, landfill maintenance, and/or agricultural activities; or any such combination of experience, education, or training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Must possess or be able to obtain within 90 days of hire a valid Class A commercial driver’s license with tanker endorsement.

Willing to work standby and extended hours when required.

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of operating most types of light and heavy equipment.

• Ability to operate, maintain, and make minor repairs and adjustments on most types of light and heavy equipment.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to perform semiskilled and skilled maintenance activities without close supervision.

• Ability to make basic mathematical calculations.

• Knowledge of the standard practices, methods, tools, and materials used in landfill maintenance and construction, including some knowledge of drainage and maintaining proper grades.

• Knowledge of the rules of safe operation and the precautions to be taken in order to avoid accidents in the use of light or heavy equipment.

• Knowledge of the occupational hazards associated with solid waste and recycling activities, including handling of hazardous materials, the operation of mechanical and electrical equipment, and the ability to take proper safety precautions.

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, grade sheets, maps, and drawings.

• Mechanical and electrical aptitude with the knowledge to troubleshoot and to prevent failures in the various types of systems used at landfill facilities.

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out oral and written instructions and keep accurate work records, and effectively communicate this information to other team members.