What are the responsibilities and job description for the EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II LANDFILL position at Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County?
Position Summary
This position operates a variety of heavy and light equipment vehicles used in the processing and disposal of solid waste in Landfill Operations. The position performs the spreading and compaction of Class I and Class III waste, segregation of waste to maximize waste reduction/recycling and related supporting operational and maintenance functions. Responsible for following the Landfill Operations Plan when processing/disposing of solid waste. The position works under the direction of the Supervisor of Landfill Operations and in their absence may take direction and work assignments through the Assistant Supervisor and/or delegated lead staff. The position requires reliability, dependability, and accountability in all aspects of the defined role.
Essential Functions & Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Skilled in the operation of water trucks, off-road dump trucks, front-end loaders, excavators (on flat ground), bulldozers (on flat ground) and general work vehicles, and the willingness to learn to operate landfill compactors, excavators (on all surfaces/slopes), bulldozers (on all surfaces/slopes) and other specialized equipment used in a landfill environment.
- Grades, compacts solid waste in a Class I and/or Class III landfill environment.
- Segregates waste to maximize waste reduction/recycling.
- Performs manual labor and uses hand tools to support construction, maintenance and service actives in a Landfill Operation.
- Inspects equipment before and during work, reports malfunctions, and checks equipment after servicing.
- Performs daily routine preventive maintenance and servicing (e.g., refuels, checks fluid levels, hoses, signal operation, brakes, and lights) and refers major repairs.
- Performs minor mechanical maintenance work including daily-lubrication and cleaning of equipment.
- Documents and records waste acceptance and provides traffic control.
- Follows Landfill Operations Plan when processing/disposing of solid waste.
- Follows all safety procedures in the operation and use of equipment and tools.
- Coordinate work activities with co-workers to ensure safe and effective operation of work.
- Perform regular safety and environmental inspections of the landfill and related areas.
- Other duties as required.
- Knowledge and ability to safely operate and maintain select light and heavy equipment and vehicles in a landfill environment.
- Ability to work with fellow employees, understand and follow written and oral instructions, and assist in job performance to achieve group goals.
- Ability to detect and identify malfunctions while operating assigned heavy equipment.
- Ability to perform manual labor in a landfill environment in all work conditions and maintain physical stamina.
- Knowledge of safety requirements applicable to landfill and other related heavy equipment.
- Ability to record and document safety records of equipment and waste acceptance.
- Ability to communicate with the general public, peers, and superiors.
- Ability to work independently and maintain self-direction and motivation.
- Ability to respond to inquiries and make entries on reports and records.
- Ability to make adjustments and to perform minor mechanical maintenance to assigned equipment.
- Ability to read and comprehend written manuals and follow oral instruction.
- Ability to understand the principles of landfill and related operations.
Education, Experience, Certificates and Licenses
The ideal candidate possesses the education and experience listed below.
- Minimum eighth (8th) grade education.
- Experience performing manual labor outdoors under unfavorable conditions.
- Minimum of two years’ experience operating heavy equipment, preferably at a landfill or operation of a similar complexity.
- Any combination of experience, education and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Florida Driver’s License required.
- Florida Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A or Class B preferred.
- Certification as Landfill Operator preferred.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job and will encounter in the work environment. Work requires proficiency and dexterity in operating landfill and related heavy equipment.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, climb, stoop, twist and turn body, kneel, crouch or crawl, bend, talk and hear. The employee is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, push and pull or lift objects up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The duties of this position are consistently performed outdoors where the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions, extreme heat, wet and humid conditions. The employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, and high, precarious place, odors, fumes or airborne particles, vibration, and loud noise levels. The employee is rarely exposed to electric shock, toxic or caustic chemicals, explosives, or radiation in the work environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.