Heavy Equipment Operator #51799

Job ID #51799 • Category: Solid Waste • Department: General Services • Posted: October 19, 2026 • Closing: Open Until Filled

About the role

This position provides maintenance services for Burke County facilities and operates heavy equipment for the County. The role requires approximately 40 hours of work per workweek.

Responsibilities

• Operates all heavy equipment in an independent, efficient, and safe manner abiding by federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Inspects items being removed from the heavy equipment to ensure they are being transported to the proper location
• Performs preventative maintenance on equipment
• Ensures that all debris and waste in the facilities or in surrounding areas are disposed of properly
• Performs other duties as required or assigned

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED
• At least one (1) to three (3) years of experience in operating heavy equipment developing the necessary knowledge and skill for this position

Special Requirements (upon hire, unless otherwise indicated):

• Valid North Carolina Driver's License
• Preferred: Valid North Carolina Commercial Driver's License Class B (within 1 year of hire)

Physical Requirements, Working Conditions, and Occupational Exposures:

• Vision requirements, with or without corrective lenses, including close and distant vision, ability to adjust focus, depth and color perception, night and peripheral vision
• Occasionally lifts more than one hundred (100) pounds
• Routinely lifts up to fifty (50) pounds
• Routinely spends time stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, pushing or pulling, and reaching with hands and arms
• Frequently spends time standing, walking, sitting, climbing or balancing, engaging in repetitive motions
• Working in situations without following safety measures and not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) may result in situations that could result in total disability, critical illness, or loss of life
• Working conditions may include: occasional exposure to extreme heat (non-weather) and extreme cold (non-weather); frequent work near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places; frequent exposure to outdoor weather conditions; frequently subjected to loud noises

Skills

• Proficient in spoken and written English
• Ability to convey detailed instructions loudly, accurately, and/or quickly
• Ability to express or exchange ideas through verbal communication
• Ability to receive detailed instructions or information through verbal communication
• Ability to use measuring devices
• Ability to operate and use systems, technologies, motor vehicles, and machines required to perform duties of this position
• Ability to observe general surroundings and activities
• Demonstrates verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills

Pay

Hiring Range: $42,390.00 – $49,816.00 per year ($20.38 – $23.95 per hour)

Schedule

Approximately 40 hours per workweek.

Applications: Burke County paper applications can be obtained at the Human Resources office, 200 Avery Ave., Morganton, NC, Monday–Friday 8:00 am–5:00 pm; online applications are available at www.burkenc.org. Completed applications must provide a complete work history with a detailed and thorough list of job duties. Incomplete applications will not be processed.