Equipment Operator I, II - Landfill

This position is anticipated to close on March 17, 2026, but applications will be accepted until position is filled and removed from the Delta County jobs website.

PLEASE NOTE: The work week is Tuesday through Saturday for this position.

GENERAL POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Perform variety of skilled, semi-skilled, labor, maintenance, and construction work involving operation and maintenance of light, medium, and heavy equipment at the landfill or transfer station for the purpose of transferring, spreading, covering, loading and/or compacting waste or soil in an efficient and safe manner.

There are three levels of operation with increased responsibility, experience, and independent operation. 

Level I

Applies basic skills while developing some specialized skills in procedures, operations, techniques, tools, materials, and/or equipment appropriate to area of specialization; performs routine and/or repetitive tasks; limited decision making required; generally, works under close supervision; has no or limited experience; work is performed from within specific limits of established procedures and/or defined instructions. (0 – 5 years of experience)

Level II

Applies skills and job knowledge in area of specialization; applies procedures, operations, techniques, tools, materials, and/or equipment to meet needs of area of specialization at an intermediate level of knowledge and understanding; may work on non-routine tasks, projects, and applications; resolves issues/makes working decisions within area of specialization or responsibility with minimal supervision. (Minimum of 1 year of experience in landfill)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform pre and post operation inspection of equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures, department, organizational and state requirements.
• Safely and efficiently operate equipment being aware of surroundings, hazards, people, and other obstacles.
• Operate heavy equipment in servicing, maintaining, building and cleaning solid waste facility using all proper safety standards.
• Operate and perform basic maintenance of all equipment.
• Receive, inspect, and continuously monitor all trash being dumped maintaining regulatory and procedural compliance.  
• Continuously monitor the condition of the equipment to ensure it is operationally ready at all times to minimize down time; clean tracks or wheels on equipment, as needed.
• May be called in outside of regular work hours for County emergency or department required situations. 
• Maintain and comply with safety standards and required maintenance protocol at all times.
• Must be able to work rotating schedule including Monday through Saturday along with completing over time work as scheduled or needed.
• This position requires consistent punctuality and attendance. The primary location of employment for this position is the designated Delta County location/office with the exception of duties that are performed off site as required in responsibilities. The employee is required to perform most (generally, 95%) of assigned duties from this designated office location to allow for client, customer and coworker access and collaboration, unless prior written approval for an alternative arrangement, such as temporary remote work, has been granted by the employee's direct supervisor and/or department head and maintained in the employee personnel file.

GENERAL JOB DUTIES:

Level I

• Operate heavy equipment in a safe, adequate and satisfactory manner to push, move, bury or compact trash and waste.
• Perform all equipment operation responsibilities with attention to care, proper usage and maintenance.
• Build, develop and construct landfill facility as directed.
• Clean, repair, maintain, facility, grounds, equipment and environment.
• Clean and maintain access road; inspect and repair access roads for rough areas, potholes, rocks, fallen waste, and other debris.
• Drive water truck and spray for dust control or to achieve optimum moisture for compacted fills.
• Drive haul truck moving materials to and from job sites and haul various materials as needed.
• Perform preventive maintenance including greasing and lubricating, lights, check and change tires, clean, maintain fluid levels, wiper blades, and other general maintenance tasks maintaining logs and records as required.
• Repair and replace signs, markers, reflectors, and other warning devices for facility safety.
• Maintain office, gatehouse, bathroom, inventory, and general facilities.
• Remove snow as necessary.
• Build, install or repair fences for traffic and trash control; pick up all windblown and fallen trash, and maintain grounds.
• Cover trash daily with required material; haul and stockpile cover dirt.
• Perform landfill attendant duties as necessary including, but not limited to calculating, receiving and accounting for dump fees in accordance with landfill guidelines.
• Post all tickets by fee, type, volume, and total daily receipts for records.
• Take cash and provide change and/or complete landfill ticket and charge ticket.
• Work up summary reports and make nightly deposits as required.
• Perform regular site inspections of wellheads.
• Inspect trash for amount and type, paying close attention to hazardous materials, dangerous trash or infectious materials.
•  Keep daily log of unusual circumstances and weather conditions: wind speed, direction, etc.
• Deal with public and often explain charge and disposal policies of landfill.
• Make random load checks as required; inspect all loads for hazardous materials and other prohibited material.
• Direct the public in safe dumping of waste and assure good practices and regulations are adhered to.
• Complete time sheets, preventative maintenance forms, safety checklists, and various reports.
• Answer phones, take and relay messages, operate radio.
• Work well with others in a cooperative atmosphere showing respect and support.
• Perform other similar and related duties as assigned.

Level II

• Train inexperienced landfill operators in performing procedures of landfill management.
• May act as a lead operator when the manager and assistant manager are not available on site to lead other operators in assigned project completion.
• May perform additional administrative or computerized responsibilities for the district.
• Leads others with respect and collaboration to meet project requirements.
• May train other operators on specific equipment operation, maintenance and safety protocol.
• May lead safety initiatives, training, auditing and compliance. 

All Levels

• Should the Board of County Commissioners or another authorized representative issue a local disaster declaration in Delta County, all Delta County employees may be called upon to serve as disaster service workers.

Experience/Licenses/Certifications:

Level I

• Three (3) years’ experience in safe heavy equipment operation including equipment such as graders, backhoes, dozers, loaders, snow plows, tractors, and dump trucks desired
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B with ability to drive a standard transmission or CDLA-A strongly desired and sometimes required 

Level II

• A minimum of one (1) year of proficient experience in landfill solid waste operations is required.
• Satisfactorily, efficiently and safely operate and maintain pickup trucks, fork lift, skid steer, and trucks less than 26,000 pounds.
• Satisfactorily, efficiently and safely operate and maintain at least 5 of the following heavy equipment or skills:

Trash Compactor

• Roll Off Truck
• Haul Truck
• Skid Steer
• Road Grader
• Scraper
• Backhoe/Excavator
• Bull Dozer
• Loader
• Roller/Compactor
• Demonstrated applied Mechanical Skills
• Demonstrate consistent compliance with safety and maintenance protocols and plans.
• Regularly and routinely meet performance expectations as documented in evaluations and review of responsibilities.
• Perform duties with regular accuracy at an intermediate level requiring only minimal supervision.

Combination of education and experience may waive specific requirement.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical Requirements: Walk, stand, sit, crawl, kneel, squat, type, use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects or tools, reach with hands and arms, talk, listen, hear, read, see, lift, bend, climb in/out of equipment

Lifting: 100-pound requirement

Exposure to Elements: Sun, wind, dust, rain, mud, snow, ice, cold, heat, high pressure hoses, solvent, grease, oil, paint, cleaning materials, loud noise and vibration

Handling of Dangerous Equipment: Pickup, water truck, backhoe, loader, road grader, bulldozer, compactor-sheep foot, steel-wheel, track hoe, shovel, rake, pick, broom, post driver, hammer, hand tools, hydraulic & pneumatic tools, grinding wheel. Operator skill level not required for all equipment and tools

Risk of Assault or Injury: Highway safety conditions and heavy equipment operational hazards can be minimized through close attention to good operating practices. Maintain safe practices when around equipment, when moving and lifting heavy objects

Other Hazardous Conditions: Blizzards, floods, fires, exposures, dirt and dust, selenium, asbestos and bodily fluids

GENERAL BENEFITS:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Selective optional insurances available to the employee and eligible dependents on a cost share basis between employee and the organization
• Life insurance and employee only medical insurance is available at no cost to the employee 
• Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employees contribute 4% of their salary to a 401(a) retirement account fully matched with 4% from the County 
• Optional 457(b) tax advantaged deferred-compensation retirement plan
• Paid time off is accrued at 14 hours per month to start
• 11 paid holidays per calendar year
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that includes 6 counseling sessions along with some legal and financial support counseling
• Modified work schedules for positions and employees that qualify
• Additional employee discounts and fringe benefits are available

Delta County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race (including hair traits), color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Employment with Delta County is contingent upon successful completion and approval of a background check.