Heavy Equipment Operator

GFL Environmental Inc. • Childersburg, AL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Master the controls of GFL’s heavy fleet. From excavators to front loaders, you will safely steer, guide, and operate heavy machinery to bale and move waste material, ensuring our facility maintains peak operational flow every single day. Heavy Equipment Operator The GFL Difference At GFL Environmental, we are the "All-Stars" of the waste industry. Our Heavy Equipment Operators are the engine of our facility operations, ensuring that waste is processed, baled, and loaded with precision. We offer stable local work, a "People First" culture, and the opportunity to work with a modern fleet of heavy equipment. If you’re ready to grow with a company that values hard work and safety, it’s time to go green.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Certification: Must possess or be able to complete Forklift Certification.
• Advancement: Ability to obtain Transfer Station or Landfill Operations Certification as required by the site.
• Experience: Proven experience as a Heavy Equipment Operator (loaders, balers, or forklifts) in an industrial or waste environment is highly preferred.
• Self-Starter: Ability to follow complex instructions and manage daily priorities with minimal supervision.
• Technical Aptitude: Ability to read and interpret equipment gauges, perform basic math for load weights, and troubleshoot minor mechanical issues.
• Communication: Must be able to read, speak, and write English clearly to ensure safety protocols are followed.
• Spatial Awareness: Mastery of steering, levers, buttons, and pedals to maneuver heavy machinery in tight, high-traffic facility environments.
• Physical Strength: Must be able to frequently lift/push/pull up to 25 lbs and occasionally up to 50 lbs.
• Environmental Endurance: Work in an outdoor environment 100% of the time. You will be exposed to all weather conditions, loud noise, vibration, and moving mechanical parts.
• Visual Precision: Excellent depth perception and peripheral vision are required to safely navigate the facility floor around ground personnel and other vehicles.
• Agility: Ability to climb in and out of heavy equipment cabs and perform maintenance tasks that require kneeling, stooping, and crawling.

Responsibilities

• Precision Operation: Expertly operate heavy equipment, including balers and loaders, to process waste and load trailers for transport. Ensure maximum payload efficiency while maintaining a safe work floor.
• Asset Ownership: Perform daily pre- and post-trip inspections. You are responsible for the "health" of your machine, including greasing, lubricating, and monitoring fluid levels daily.
• Mechanical Stewardship: Maintain equipment performance by cleaning debris from tracks and gear mechanisms at least once daily to prevent downtime and mechanical failure.
• Site Command: Utilize two-way radios to coordinate with the office and floor staff, ensuring a seamless flow of inbound and outbound material.
• Versatility: Be a team player—act as a relief operator for other heavy equipment when needed to keep the facility running at peak productivity.
• Safety & Compliance: Adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations. Participate in all safety meetings and "Tailgate" briefings to maintain our Zero-Incident culture.
• Facility Pride: Maintain the appearance and safety of the grounds and facility, ensuring a professional environment for our customers and team.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees