Landfill Heavy Equipment Operator

About the Role

Operate and maintain very large, motorized equipment used in complex and difficult landfill operations. Equipment includes D9 dozers, 623 scrapers, 836 compactors, 140 motor graders, large loaders and excavators, 8000-gallon water wagons, tarping machines, and more. Operators maneuver safely on steep slopes and in tight areas with significant truck traffic to compact trash and move large quantities of earth for excavating and constructing cells, building roads, and achieving final grades. Minor repairs or preventive maintenance on heavy equipment may be required.

This is a safety-sensitive position in a hazardous work environment, subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Responsibilities

• Proficiently operate all heavy equipment used in trash compacting and earth-moving operations, including D9 dozers, 623 scrapers, 826/836 compactors, 140 motor graders, large loaders and excavators, water wagons, and other equipment to support landfill operations.
• Read and interpret elevation stakes and verify slope.
• Excavate and construct new cells and participate in other earth-moving projects such as rill repair, slope closure, and maintenance of drainage structures.
• Build, level, and excavate roads and land surfaces using graders and other construction equipment.
• Bulldoze hillsides; collect and haul debris, tires, mulch, glass, sand, and gravel.
• Operate smaller earth-moving equipment, including backhoes, front-end loaders, and dump trucks.
• Operate water wagons and similar equipment for dust control and dirt compaction.
• Operate plow and salt trucks for snow and ice removal; may act as a primary snow team member using snow blowers and snowplows with brooms or blades.
• Operate hydro seeders or equivalent equipment to apply alternate daily cover, control erosion, or apply seed.
• Operate tarping machines for use as alternate daily cover.
• Operate heavy equipment to move, repair, modify, or install portable litter and/or perimeter fencing.
• Use hand-held mobile radio units to coordinate tasks and resources.
• Maintain accurate logs and records.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and standard operating procedures; maintain effective communications with supervisors and co-workers.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of heavy equipment operation and heavy construction experience.
• One year of combined experience operating any of the following equipment (or equivalent): D9 Dozer, 623 Scraper, 140 Motor Grader, or 826/836 Compactor.
• One year of experience operating heavy equipment at an active landfill preferred.
• Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
• Possession of a valid City Operator’s Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Working Conditions

• Hazardous work environment: construction site, inclement weather, exposure to dust, noise, truck traffic, hazardous materials, and all types of waste.
• Requires maintaining mental condition necessary to operate heavy equipment on steep slopes and in tight, high-traffic areas.
• Requires physical condition necessary for heavy lifting, climbing, operating motorized equipment and vehicles, working in confined spaces, working at heights, and working around heavy construction equipment.