Excavator Operator – Baler Feed

Tanks Green Stuff; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Tank's Recycling and Landfill in Tucson, AZ is seeking a Full-Time Excavator Operator to feed our two-ram horizontal cardboard baler with a mini excavator, maintain a steady flow of material, and sort contamination before baling.

You will work with a small crew, perform pre-shift inspections, and may be moved to the C&D floor for metal sorting as needed. A valid driver’s license and safety focus are required; heavy equipment certification is a plus.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of excavator operating experience on mini and full-size machines.
• Proven grapple and thumb attachment experience for sorting, picking, and loading.
• Recycling, C&D, demolition, or material-handling experience preferred.
• Ability to feed equipment at a steady rate and identify contamination.
• Strong awareness of ground personnel and commitment to safety.
• Valid driver?s license required; heavy equipment certification is a plus.
• Punctual and reliable, able to work outdoors year-round.
• Must pass background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Responsibilities

• Feed the two-ram horizontal cardboard baler with a mini excavator and manage material flow.
• Sort contamination (plastics, metal, trash) before entering baler.
• Coordinate with baler operator and ground crew to maintain throughput.
• Perform daily pre-shift inspections and basic equipment maintenance.
• Respond to mechanical issues and follow site safety protocols.
• Work on both mini and full-size excavators and may be moved to the C&D floor for sorting.

Skills

Excavator operation

Grapple and thumb

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Punctuality

Outdoor work

Communication

Tools

Heavy equipment certification

Job description

Join Tank's Recycling and Landfill in Tucson, AZ, as a Full-Time Excavator Operator and put your grapple and thumb skills to work on one of our newest recycling operations. Based at our Speedway site, you'll run a mini excavator that keeps our cardboard baler fed and productive, working with a small, focused crew. Hourly pay will be determined at hiring depending on your expertise and dedication.

This is an opportunity for operators who take pride in precise, efficient machine work and want a steady weekday schedule. You will be given great benefits such as Medical, Dental, 401(k), and Paid Time Off. If you're ready to embrace a high-performance culture and contribute to a customer-focused organization.

TANK'S RECYCLING AND LANDFILL: WHAT DRIVES US

Tank's Recycling & Landfill is a locally owned and operated Tucson company providing sustainable solutions for construction, demolition, landscape, and inert material recycling. With multiple landfill and reclamation sites across Southern Arizona, we're committed to responsible waste management, exceptional customer service, and supporting our community. Our team works hard to protect Arizona's environment while providing dependable, efficient service to contractors, landscapers, and homeowners.

ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THIS EXCAVATOR OPERATOR JOB?

As a Full-Time Excavator Operator at Tank's Recycling and Landfill, your primary job will be feeding our two-ram horizontal cardboard baler with a mini excavator. You'll keep a steady, controlled flow of material into the hopper, pick out contamination such as plastics, metal, and trash before it reaches the machine, and keep the tipping and staging area organized. You'll work closely with the baler operator to match the feed rate to the machine, and with two laborers on the ground, so awareness of people around your equipment is essential.

You’ll also need to be comfortable on a full-size excavator. When needed, you may be moved to our C&D floor to pull metal, sort mixed loads, and separate recoverable materials. You’ll perform daily pre-shift inspections, basic greasing and upkeep, and report mechanical issues promptly, always following site safety protocols.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?

To succeed in this role, you should be a proficient operator of both mini and full-size excavators with real experience running a grapple and thumb attachment. Recycling, demolition, scrap, or material-handling experience is a strong plus, because sorting and picking with a grapple is a different skill than digging. You should be able to work at a consistent production pace, communicate well with a ground crew, and keep a clean, safe work area.

Punctuality and reliability are key traits, as you will be working outdoors in Tucson conditions year-round. A valid driver's license is required, and heavy equipment certification from CAT, John Deere, or a trade school will strengthen your application.

Knowledge and skills required for the position are:

• 2+ years of excavator operating experience, including both mini and full-size machines
• Proven experience operating grapple and thumb attachments for picking, sorting, and loading
• Recycling, C&D, demolition, scrap, or material-handling experience preferred
• Ability to feed equipment at a controlled, steady rate and pick out contamination
• Strong awareness of ground personnel and commitment to safety and teamwork
• Ability to perform daily equipment inspections and basic maintenance
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work in outdoor conditions year-round
• Valid driver's license required
• Heavy equipment certification is a plus (CAT, John Deere, or trade school)

Must be drug-free and submit to a background check and pre-employment drug screen.