Heavy Equipment Operator

Yakima County • Terrace Heights, NY

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Yakima County Public Services’ Solid Waste Division is hiring a Heavy Equipment Operator to perform skilled work operating heavy equipment with complex controls for the safe and efficient disposal of municipal solid waste at one or more county solid waste disposal sites. The role includes operating and inspecting equipment, maintaining landfill roads and facilities, monitoring activities at job sites, directing truck traffic and customers, and responding to accidents, emergencies, fires, explosions, and hazardous spills. The operator also identifies potentially hazardous or unacceptable materials, coordinates their proper disposal, and interacts with the public to explain Solid Waste Division policies and ordinances.

Work is performed primarily outdoors for extended periods and in unfavorable weather. It involves field work at multiple locations, exposure to noise, weather, extreme temperatures, moving mechanical parts, pathogens and vibration, and may involve work outside standard business hours. The position may include contact with hostile or angry individuals and requires heavy physical exertion, including occasionally moving objects with up to or more than 100 pounds of force.

This is a regular, non-exempt position eligible for overtime and represented by Teamsters Local 760. The listed pay rate is $30.12–$38.20 per hour, with a hiring rate of $30.12–$31.97 per hour, depending on qualifications. The position includes health care, retirement, and paid leave benefits.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and six years of equipment operation experience; applicants with equivalent education and/or experience must provide a detailed explanation.
• Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• Ability to learn to operate all pieces of solid waste equipment within one year of employment.
• Consent to queries of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse in compliance with federal regulations (49 CFR Part 382).
• Knowledge of road and facility maintenance techniques; mathematical calculations sufficient to determine slopes and grades; preventative and equipment maintenance, including troubleshooting; safe equipment operation; safety precautions related to waste disposal; surveying principles; and customer service techniques.
• Demonstrated application of safety procedures and ability to respond to on-site situations and identify potential hazards.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment, work around heavy traffic in landfills, use surveying instruments, set a grade, recognize possible biological or chemical contaminant exposure, determine appropriate action for potential contamination, and respond quickly and correctly to emergencies such as landfill fires.
• Ability to interact effectively with the public, businesses, contractors, and city haulers; apply customer service techniques; maintain effective interpersonal relationships; and communicate orally and in writing to exchange information and receive work direction.
• Ability to perform the physical activities described for the position, including heavy work and work in outdoor field conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Air brakes, tanker, and hazardous waste endorsements.
• Experience in landfill construction and maintenance.
• Certification from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).

Responsibilities

• Operate a D-8 dozer or similar equipment for grading, excavating, backfilling, and pushing waste.
• Operate a refuse compactor to achieve appropriate waste compaction.
• Operate a wood waste grinder to grind materials.
• Operate other equipment, including a front-end loader, water truck, bin truck, waste truck, and walking-floor trailers.
• Apply knowledge of driving laws, equipment use, road-building materials, basic survey principles, construction safety, and environmental regulations related to landfill work.
• Identify potentially hazardous or unacceptable materials at job sites and coordinate proper disposal.
• Respond to public inquiries and complaints; interact with the public to promote safety in landfill, transfer station, and recycling areas; and explain applicable policies and ordinances.
• Monitor, control, and direct job-site activities, including the flow and sequence of truck dumping, and direct customers to appropriate areas.
• Respond to on-site accidents and emergencies, including fires, explosions, and hazardous spills, assessing immediate concerns and responding with equipment.
• Perform visual equipment safety inspections, check fluid levels and tire pressure, refuel and clean equipment, and perform pre-trip walk-around inspections.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health care benefits, including medical, dental, vision, basic life, and basic long-term disability coverage.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid vacation.
• Paid holidays.
• Paid sick leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED