Baler Operator

Mid Valley Disposal & Transfer

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Mid Valley Disposal is seeking a skilled and safety-focused Equipment Operator (Baler Operator) to support daily operations at our Compost and Transfer Station facilities. This role is critical to maintaining efficient material flow through the operation by safely operating balers and related processing equipment. In addition to hands-on equipment operation, this position involves basic programming, setup, and troubleshooting of baler systems and control software. The ideal candidate is mechanically inclined, comfortable working around heavy equipment, and takes pride in keeping operations running smoothly and safely. This position reports directly to the Production Supervisor, based on assigned worksite.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required
Experience operating balers and/or heavy equipment such as loaders, forklifts, or excavators
Strong attention to detail and safety awareness
Mechanically inclined with the ability to identify operational issues
Ability to program, adjust, and troubleshoot basic baler system controls
Strong communication and teamwork skills
Ability to adapt to changing site needs and production schedules
Employees must be able to sit, stand, walk, reach, and use hands for equipment operation and controls.

Nice To Haves

Minimum 1 year of experience in recycling, warehouse operations, or baler operation preferred
Prior experience in waste transfer, recycling, composting, or industrial environments preferred
Experience working with computerized equipment controls, HMIs, or system interfaces preferred
Bilingual in Spanish preferred

Responsibilities

Operate balers and other heavy equipment, including loaders, grinders, screens, excavators, forklifts, and related machinery
Safely set up, start, adjust, and shut down baler systems
Perform daily pre- and post-operation equipment inspections
Clean assigned equipment daily, including removal of debris and cleaning operator cabs
Follow daily production schedules and operational direction from supervisors
Maintain required production and quality standards
Comply with all company safety policies and procedures at all times
Complete required training and ongoing performance assessments
Assist with floor sorting and material handling as needed
Program and adjust baler operating parameters using control panels and system software
Monitor system performance through HMIs and onboard displays
Troubleshoot basic system, sensor, and control issues to reduce downtime
Identify abnormalities in material flow, bale density, wire/tie systems, and system alerts
Communicate equipment or system issues clearly to supervisors and maintenance teams
Assist maintenance personnel with software-based diagnostics when requested