Heavy Equipment Operator (Resource Recovery) - (26-RR-810500-005)

District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Heavy Equipment Operator (Resource Recovery) at DC Water operates front-end loaders, backhoes, skid-steers and other equipment to process biosolids into Bloom products, deliver and retrieve feedstock, and monitor greenhouse conditions in the biosolids loading facility.

You will also assist with crane operations, perform routine maintenance, ensure safe handling of materials, and maintain accurate records of daily activity, in alignment with DC Water's safety and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Four (4) years of progressive experience operating gasoline/diesel-powered equipment for excavation, lifting, and hauling.
• Knowledge of basic mechanical repairs and ability to perform manual tasks.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment (front-end loader, backhoe, skid-steer, windrow turner) to process biosolids into Bloom products.
• Deliver products and retrieve feedstock; weigh loads on plant scales as directed.
• Monitor greenhouse conditions and assist with crane operations when needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and housekeeping in blending and curing facilities; perform routine vehicle/equipment maintenance.

Skills

Oral communication

Manual dexterity

Mechanical knowledge

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Crane operation

Job description

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties, locations, and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this job. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description, and incumbent(s) may be required to perform work-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description. This job description is not a “contract” between the employee and the Authority. The job duties and essential functions may be changed at the discretion of the General Manager.

General

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator (Resource Recovery)

Job Code: S0219

Supervises Directly: No

New or Revised: Revised

Regular or At-Will: Regular

Date Last Revised: 7/14/2026

Exempt or Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt

Compensation Approval Signature:

Union/ Non-Union: Union

Division: Operations

Department: Resource Recovery-Central Administration

Salary Schedule: Regular Wage Service (RW)

Grade: RW10

Cost Center Code: 810500

Essential Position: Yes

Reports To: Program Manager, Biosolids Operations

EEO Code: Skilled Craft Workers

Work Format: In-Person

Who We Are & What We Do

At DC Water, we provide more than 700,000 District of Columbia residents and 24.6 million annual visitors with essential water, wastewater, and stormwater services.DC Water also provides wholesale wastewater treatment services for 1.8 million people in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia.We aspire to be known for superior service, ingenuity, and stewardship to advance the health and well-being of our diverse workforce and communities. To achieve this vision, we commit to our shared mission every day—exceeding expectations by providing high quality water services in a safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient manner.

Role Description

The Heavy Equipment Operator (Resource Recovery) operates heavy equipment (e.g. front-end loader, backhoe, skid-steer, blending equipment) to process Bloom into marketable biosolids products. Makes deliveries of products and retrieves feedstock as needed. Monitors and adjusts greenhouse operating conditions. Operates overhead crane in biosolids loading facility and tunnel dewatering pump station as needed. Responsible for cleaning and general housekeeping in blending, curing facilities and the dewatered sludge loading facility (DSLF).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Operates heavy equipment, including front-end loader, backhoe, skid-steer, windrow turner, blending equipment, etc. to process biosolids into marketable Bloom products.
• Makes deliveries of products and retrieves feedstock as needed in DC Water pickup trucks, dump trucks and tractor-trailers Weighs loads on plant scales for tracking purposes as directed.
• Receives and ensures proper storage of feedstock shipments.
• Collects product samples as needed.
• Records daily activity and operating conditions. Responsible for tracking feedstock and product storage.
  • Monitors and adjusts greenhouse operating conditions, including watering, temperature, air flow and plant growth.
• Operates overhead crane in biosolids loading facility as needed.
• Operates tunnel dewatering pump station (TDPS) overhead crane as needed. Ensures crane buckets and sheaves are thoroughly cleaned after each operation.
• Responsible for cleaning and general housekeeping in blending and curing facilities.
• Operates a variety of Authority vehicles and equipment including front-end loader, backhoe, skid-steer, blending equipment, pickup truck, etc. as an essential function of the position. Maintains vehicles and/or equipment in a clean and orderly manner. Reports any operating deficiencies to the appropriate Authority personnel.
  • Performs other related duties and projects as assigned at the discretion of the immediate supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Key Working Relationships

Interacts with employees within the Authority, vendors of equipment and services, and representatives of private industry.

Skills & Qualifications

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for an individual to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable amounts of training are provided.

Required Experience

Four (4) years of progressive experience that involves the operation of gasoline, diesel, or other powered engine equipment designed for excavation, lifting, and hauling.

Minimum Education Requirements

High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate.

Required Skills

Knowledge of basic mechanical repairs. Skilled in the use of a variety of tools and/or equipment. Ability to perform a variety of manual dexterity tasks.

Skilled in oral communication and interacting with a wide range of individuals.

Required Licenses & Certifications

Must possess and maintain current a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License - Commercial Driver's License, Class A with air brakes endorsement.

Must possess and maintain current DC Operating Engineer's License, Class 78.

Required Languages

English

Physical Requirements

Subject to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions that include exposure to extreme cold and/or hot temperatures.

Subject to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system or skin such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gasses or poor ventilation that requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment to mitigate these conditions.

Exposure to a variety of hazards such as high voltage, noise, chemicals, oils and other solvents, bacteria, pathogens and toxic substances.

Ability to ascend and descend stairs and ladders.

Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

Preferred Experience

Experience operating cranes is preferred.

Preferred Education Requirements

N/A

Preferred Skills

N/A

*The work environment characteristics described in the physical requirements section of the required skills & qualifications table are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities.

Your Experience at DC Water

At DC Water, our people make us an industry leader. Join a group of thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers focused on protecting life’s most precious resource in the nation’s capital.

• Take pride in your work. We provide an essential service and do work that matters. A career at DC Water is an exciting opportunity to help improve the environment and make a lasting difference for the community.
• Connect to a strong culture. Everything we do is grounded in our shared values—accountability, trust, teamwork, customer focus, safety, and wellbeing.
• Be your true self. We are an inclusive organization that embraces diversity, and we recognize and celebrate employees’ individuality and unique contributions.
• Build your skills and career path. We are committed to developing a future-ready workforce by helping our employees develop skills for the jobs of tomorrow.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against “qualified individuals with disabilities”.

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to

perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please

email [e-mail].