Landfill Leading Hand (Day Shift)

HiQ; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team‑oriented culture

Strong safety culture

Job summary

HiQ in Melbourne, Victoria, seeks an experienced Landfill Leading Hand for our Bulla site. You will lead a landfill crew, operate mobile plant such as compactors, dozers, excavators and haul trucks, and ensure waste is placed, compacted and covered to standard.

Working 6:00am–3:30pm, Monday to Friday, with possible weekend work. You will coordinate the shift, assist the Site Supervisor, and maintain safety, housekeeping and reporting requirements.

Qualifications

• Solid experience operating landfill plant, ideally compactors, dozers and excavators.
• A Statement of Attainment is desirable.
• Previous experience in a leading hand, team leader or senior operator role is highly regarded.
• Working knowledge of landfill operations, including cell filling, compaction and daily cover, is highly regarded.
• Clear and confident communication skills when dealing with operators, supervisors and customers.
• A strong commitment to safety and willingness to speak up when something isn’t right.
• A strong work ethic, sound judgement and initiative to keep the job moving.
• A current White Card and driver’s licence.
• Confidence completing daily paperwork and basic reporting.
• Ability to carry out daily pre‑start checks on machinery.

Responsibilities

• Allocate tasks and plant to operators as directed.
• Manage traffic and tipping at the active face.
• Check incoming loads and flag non‑conforming waste.
• Maintain compaction, cover and litter control standards.
• Support compliance with EPA licence conditions and site procedures.
• Lead by example on pre‑start checks and Take 5s; contribute to toolbox talks.

Job description

HiQ is a privately owned Australian family company delivering integrated environmental, infrastructure and resource recovery solutions. Operating across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, we specialise in recycling, waste management, quarry operations, and transport and logistics. We are committed to advancing the circular economy by transforming waste into valuable resources and partnering with government, industry and communities to deliver sustainable, long-term outcomes.

Job Description

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced and capable Landfill Leading Hand to join our team at our Bulla site in Melbourne, Victoria. This is a hands‑on role. You will spend most of your shift operating mobile plant such as compactors, dozers, excavators and haul trucks, while also taking the lead on the day‑to‑day running of the landfill crew on day shift.

Working under the direction of the Site Supervisor, you will help organise the crew and plant at the start of each shift, keep the tipping face running safely and efficiently, and make sure waste is placed, compacted and covered to the required standard. You will be the first point of contact for operators on the landfill, setting the example on safety, housekeeping and work quality, and passing on clear information to the afternoon shift at handover.

Main Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities include allocating tasks and plant to operators as directed, managing traffic and tipping at the active face, checking incoming loads and flagging any non‑conforming waste, maintaining compaction, cover and litter control standards, and supporting compliance with our EPA licence conditions and site procedures. You will also lead by example on pre‑start checks and Take 5s, contribute to toolbox talks, report hazards, incidents and plant issues promptly, and complete basic daily shift records.

This is a full‑time role with an immediate start, working day shift from 6:00am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. Additional weekend work may be available as needed.

Applicants must live within a reasonable daily commuting distance of the Bulla site and be able to pass a pre‑employment medical, including a drug and alcohol screening.

What We Offer:

• Supportive, team-focused work environment
• Strong safety-first culture

Desired Skills and Experience

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Solid experience operating landfill plant, ideally compactors, dozers and excavators.
• A Statement of Attainment is desirable.
• Previous experience in a leading hand, team leader or senior operator role is highly regarded.
• Working knowledge of landfill operations, including cell filling, compaction and daily cover, is highly regarded.
• Clear and confident communication skills when dealing with operators, supervisors and customers.
• A strong commitment to safety and willingness to speak up when something isn’t right.
• A strong work ethic, sound judgement and initiative to keep the job moving.
• A current White Card and driver’s licence.
• Confidence completing daily paperwork and basic reporting.
• Ability to carry out daily pre‑start checks on machinery.