Solid Waste Equipment Operator

Description

Nature of Work
This is very responsible solid waste and sanitation work involving the maintenance and operation of the county owned landfill. Activities associated with the job include operating heavy equipment to cover debris taken to the landfill, spreading gravel, installing silt fences and preparing new cells for dumping. Additional activities include assisting with transfer station operations, operating roll off trucks to collect waste at convenience centers and driving large trucks to transport waste from the transfer station to designated landfills. Incumbents must be capable of safely operating all of the heavy equipment utilized in landfill, transfer station and convenience center operations including bull dozers, compactors, back hoes, dirt scrappers, bobcats, front end loaders, roll off trucks, etc. utilized by the solid waste department. Incumbents are also required to perform a variety of activities associated with maintaining the county owned landfill including assisting with new construction activities, mowing and maintaining the areas around the landfill, assisting with recycling activities, and assisting with preventive maintenance operations on equipment and machinery. Some activities require heavy manual labor depending upon workload demands. Job duties require considerable experience operating heavy equipment and large eighteen wheel trucks, considerable knowledge of landfill and recycling operations, good interpersonal and decision making skills, sufficient strength and agility to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job and the ability to consistently follow departmental rules and regulations. Job performance is evaluated daily by the Solid Waste Director through direct observation of the activities performed on the job, ability to safely operate heavy equipment, trucks and machinery utilized at the land fill, level of support provided for landfill operations, compliance with existing policies and procedures and ability to interact effectively with co-workers and the public.

Illustrative Examples of Work
-Completes a safety inspection of assigned trucks and heavy machinery prior to operation.
-Utilizes heavy equipment including backhoes, bulldozers, front-end loaders, bobcats, etc. to pile brush and construction debris, cover trash, prepare new cells for dumping, spread gravel and rock, etc.
-Drives roll off trucks to collect large waste container located at county operated convenience centers.
-Assists with the repair and maintenance of the maintenance shop including sanding and painting common areas, cleaning debris from dumping areas, emptying drains, etc.
-Spreads rock and gravel, installs silt fences and grades areas of the landfill and/or convenience centers when necessary.
-Drives large eighteen wheel trucks to transport household waste and other debris from the transfer station to area landfills.
-Performs various duties in the landfill including spreading gravel, assisting with the loading and compacting of recyclable items for transport, piling up brush and construction waste for burning, etc.
-Makes minor repairs and adjustments to maintain the proper operation of solid waste machinery and equipment.
-Operates a front-end loader to push waste deposited at the transfer station into large trailers for transport to the landfill.
-Performs preventive maintenance activities on solid waste machinery and equipment and notifies the Solid Waste Director of equipment malfunctions.
-Assists with repairing tires on equipment and ensures that all equipment is in proper working order.
-Packs down household trash and debris utilizing a compactor.
-Loads tires into the tire trailer when necessary and assists with recycling activities when necessary.
-Cleans equipment and machinery with pressure washers when required.
-Utilizes a track loader for demolition purposes, to load and move dirt and compile brush.
-Performs related duties as required.

Requirements

Necessary Requirements of Work
Graduation from an accredited high school; considerable experience working in solid waste operations and operating trucks and other heavy equipment; ability to interact tactfully with the public; ability to make decisions within established operating procedures; sufficient strength and agility to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in a variety of weather conditions; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience to perform the following critical knowledge, abilities and skills:
-Thorough knowledge of the proper operation of heavy equipment and machinery utilized in solid waste operations including bulldozers, back hoes, front end loaders, dirt scrappers and bobcats.
-Thorough knowledge of the rules, regulations and safety procedures required for driving large roll off trucks and eighteen-wheelers.
-Thorough knowledge of solid waste operations and maintenance activities including the use and proper operation of heavy equipment and machinery.
-Thorough knowledge of preventive maintenance procedures and minor repair of heavy equipment utilized for solid waste and landfill operations.
-Considerable knowledge of the proper handling and disposal of recyclable materials.
-Considerable knowledge of the precautions necessary to work safely around trucks and other heavy equipment utilized in solid waste and landfill operations.
-Ability to operate specialized and non-specialized solid waste equipment and machinery in a safe manner.
-Ability to use power tools and hand tools in a proper and safe manner.
-Ability to make timely and appropriate job related decisions after receiving daily assignments.
-Ability to communicate and interact with the public in a polite and tactful manner.
-Ability to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in all types of weather conditions.
-Skill in the operation of large trucks and heavy equipment utilized in solid waste and landfill operations.

Necessary Special Requirements
-Possession of a valid Tennessee Driver's License (Tennessee Commercial Driver's License Class A or B preferred) and the ability to be insured at standard vehicle liability rates.

Physical Requirements
-This is heavy work requiring considerable static, explosive, dynamic and trunk strength and requiring the exertion of up to 80 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects
-Work requires considerable flexibility, mobility and speed of limb movement
-Work requires considerable effort and stamina
-Work requires both gross body equilibrium and coordination for balancing, bending, stooping, kneeling and walking
-Work requires arm/ hand steadiness and manual and finger dexterity
-Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
-Hearing is required to perceive information in both quiet and noisy environments and determine the direction of sounds
-Visual acuity is required for the inspection of small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of office equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, color differentiation, and observing general surroundings and activities
-The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, temperature extremes, bodily fluids, oils and lubricants, noise and slippery surfaces

Maury County Government
FLSA - Non-Exempt
06/13/2022

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