Lead Hand Operator

Veolia; Shoal Bay; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous parental leave

Flexible working arrangements

Fitness Passport

Employee Assistance Program

Bonus & referral programs

Employee share plan

Job summary

Veolia is recruiting for a Senior Landfill Operator & Leading Hand at the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility. You will lead daily operations, coordinate mobile plant, and supervise a small team to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient waste processing.

This hands-on role emphasizes safety, environmental protection, and continuous improvement while mentoring staff and driving high standards on site. HR and LF licences, plus First Aid, enhance candidacy.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in landfill, civil, earthmoving or similar heavy industrial operations.
• Experience leading, coordinating or supervising a small operational team.
• Strong safety awareness and a commitment to environmental protection.
• Good knowledge of waste segregation, waste classification and hazardous substance handling.
• Ability to follow site plans, procedures, risk assessments and work instructions, and complete accurate documentation.
• Clear communication, sound judgement and the ability to prioritise work as site conditions change.
• A reliable, organised and respectful approach, with the ability to work independently and support a team.
• Current HR and LF licences preferred/essential; First Aid qualification advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Leading, allocating and monitoring daily work for operational staff and contractors.
• Planning and prioritising tasks in line with site requirements and deadlines.
• Providing on-the-job coaching, inductions and guidance, and conducting pre-starts and toolbox meetings.
• Operating and coordinating mobile plant including dozers, compactors, excavators, loaders and ADTs.
• Managing site traffic, customer unloading and safe movement of vehicles and equipment.
• Ensuring waste is inspected, classified, segregated and directed to correct area.
• Completing waste manifests and reporting prohibited, contaminated or unauthorised waste.
• Overseeing landfill activities such as waste placement, compaction, cover, and green waste management.
• Identifying hazards, applying controls and reporting incidents, environmental issues and faults.
• Carrying out plant pre-starts, basic servicing and housekeeping, and completing records.

Skills

Heavy plant operations

Team leadership

Safety awareness

Waste segregation

Documentation

Education

Heavy Rigid (HR) licence

LF forklift licence

Provide First Aid certification

Tools

Dozer operation

Excavator operation

Articulated dump truck

Front-end loader

Landfill compactor

Job description

Create positive change. Be a champion of Ecological Transformation.

Join Veolia, a global leader with over 170 years of experience, operating in 40+ countries with 220,000 employees worldwide, including 6,500 staff across 300 sites in Australia and New Zealand. As part of our team, you'll contribute to crucial environmental solutions through our innovative Water, Waste, Energy and Industrial Services, helping protect the environment and address essential human needs for a sustainable future.

The Opportunity

Bring your heavy-plant skills and practical leadership to Veolia’s Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility and Archer Transfer Station. As Senior Landfill Operator & Leading Hand, you’ll help coordinate the day-to-day work that keeps landfill operations safe, efficient and environmentally responsible.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys operating plant, supporting a team and taking ownership of high standards on site.

What’s on offer

• Dynamic, practical role merging heavy plant machinery operations with team leadership
• Opportunities to mentor, guide, and support site operational staff
• Purpose-driven work advancing sustainable waste solutions and ecological protection
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across safety standards, site efficiency, and service quality
• Collaborate with a purpose-led team grounded in core organizational values

What you’ll be responsible for

• Leading, allocating and monitoring daily work for operational staff and contractors
• Planning and prioritising tasks in line with site requirements and operational deadlines
• Providing on-the-job coaching, inductions and guidance, and conducting pre-starts and toolbox meetings
• Operating and coordinating mobile plant, including dozers, compactors, excavators, loaders and articulated dump trucks
• Managing site traffic, customer unloading and the safe movement of vehicles and equipment
• Ensuring waste is inspected, classified, segregated and directed to the correct area
• Completing waste manifests and promptly reporting prohibited, contaminated or unauthorised waste
• Overseeing landfill activities such as waste placement, compaction, cover placement and green waste management
• Identifying hazards, applying controls and reporting incidents, near misses, environmental issues and equipment faultsSupporting compliance with site procedures, environmental requirements and waste acceptance criteria
• Carrying out plant pre-starts, basic servicing and housekeeping, and completing operational records accurately

What you’ll need to be successful

• Demonstrated experience in landfill, civil, earthmoving or similar heavy industrial operations
• Experience leading, coordinating or supervising a small operational team
• Strong safety awareness and a commitment to environmental protection
• Good knowledge of waste segregation, waste classification and hazardous substance handling
• The ability to follow site plans, procedures, risk assessments and work instructions, and complete accurate documentation
• Clear communication, sound judgement and the ability to prioritise work as site conditions change
• A reliable, organised and respectful approach, with the ability to work independently and support a team

Current licences and verified competencies are preferred for: dozer, excavator, articulated dump truck, front-end loader and landfill compactor operation. A current Heavy Rigid (HR) driver licence and LF forklift licence are essential.

Experience in conducting site inductions or training, and a current Provide First Aid qualification, would be an advantage.

Veolia’s AlwaysSafe culture means that we care about the safety of people on our sites. We operate a zero tolerance drug and alcohol approach and shortlisted candidates must be prepared to undertake a full pre-employment medical check which includes drug and alcohol screening. Shortlisted candidates must also be willing to undergo a National Police Clearance.

Why Veolia?

• Generous paid parental leave and a paid volunteer day
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Superannuation contributions on unpaid parental leave
• Fitness Passport and discounted health insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (Thrive) for you and your family
• Bonus and referral programs, plus employee share plan
• Ongoing professional development and clear career pathways

Veolia is committed to ensuring every employee returns home safely every day under our Always Safe Charter.

Join a team that values your wellbeing, growth, and contribution—while making a real impact on the environment and our communities.

Fairness, Diversity & Inclusion

Veolia is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and respected. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and accessible environment. If you require adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you.

Discover more about our benefits, culture, and commitment to diversity at anz.veolia.com/careers.

We value your interest in our employment opportunities and commit to respond to all applications.

Veolia is committed to conducting recruitment in a fair, ethical and transparent manner based solely on merit. Candidates with direct or indirect personal/professional ties to Veolia and/or any third party related to Veolia business (including but not limited to Veolia's suppliers, customers, partners and competitors) must disclose this information.