Title: Heavy Equipment Operator
Department: Integrated Solid Waste/Landfill
Salary Range: Grade 65
Starting salary based on qualifications and experience.
Type: Part-time
Location: Lexington
General Statement of Duties
Performs responsible work operating heavy equipment at the landfill to contain refuse and maintain the face and structure of the landfill.
Every Monday and Saturday and every other Friday or fill in as needed
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class is responsible for operating heavy equipment to compact and cover solid waste at the landfill. Work generally requires the employee to respond to questions from the public on dumping; direct customers to proper dumping areas; perform preventive maintenance on equipment and ensure cleanliness of landfill area. Work is performed under general supervision of the Landfill Supervisor.
Illustrative Examples of Work
- Operates compactors, loaders, scraper pans, bulldozers, tractors and heavy trucks to prepare the landfill for waste disposal and maintain the structure and face of the landfill; build and maintain critical grade and access roads; build and maintain earth dam to prevent waste leakage; build erosion control slopes and maintain grade; clean out sediment pond; deliver dirt as needed for daily, intermediate and final cover; cover the surface with water to control dust.
- Operates heavy equipment to move, compact and cover solid waste in the landfill.
- Randomly inspects solid waste for materials illegally dumped; moves recyclable materials to recycle bins.
- Performs pre-check on equipment, fuels equipment, and performs routine preventive maintenance such as lubricating and keeping levels of oil and antifreeze correct.
- Provides assistance to customers unloading or directions to the proper areas to dump their loads.
- Ensures areas used by customers are clean and free of debris.
- Inspects customers’ loads for unacceptable refuse and reports any banned materials that do not meet landfill requirements.
- Moves wind-fence, as needed, to control lose debris.
- Pressure washes equipment before mechanic does service work.
- Adheres to the department’s safety rules and regulations.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Recruitment and Selection Guidelines
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- General knowledge of the operation and maintenance of a variety of heavy equipment; ability to operate heavy equipment.
- General knowledge of State and County rules and regulations pertaining to waste disposal.
- Ability to identify recyclable materials or materials that need to be processed according to HAZMAT.
- Ability to contain waste and build and maintain the landfill according to State and County rules and regulations.
- Thorough knowledge of safety procedures in the operation of heavy equipment.
- Ability to work under a variety of weather conditions for a long period of time.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the general public.
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
- Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
- Must possess the visual acuity to visually inspect small defects or parts, operation or inspection of machines.
- Must possess the visual acuity to operate trucks, forklifts, cranes and other equipment.
- Must possess the visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
- May be subject to both environmental conditions; activities occur inside and outside.
- May be subject to work with noise.
- May be subject to vibration.
- May be subject to hazards, including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.
- May be subject to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
- May be subject to contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids.
Education and Experience
- Graduation from high school and considerable experience operating heavy equipment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses and Certifications
- North Carolina Driver License.