Heavy Equipment Operator-Yakima County Solid Waste Department

Yakima County, Washington; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Yakima County, Washington is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator for the Public Services-Solid Waste Division. The role involves operating a range of heavy equipment, including a D-8 Dozer, for grading, backfilling, and waste compaction at multiple landfill sites.

Minimum qualifications include a High School diploma or GED and six years of equipment operation experience, plus a Class A CDL and FMCSA Clearinghouse consent. Preferred endorsements and SWANA certification are a plus.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED and six years of equipment operation experience.
• CDL Class A required; ability to learn all solid waste equipment within one year.
• Consent for queries of FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to comply with Federal Regulations.
• Preferred: SWANA certification, air brakes, tanker endorsements.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate D-8 Dozer and other landfill equipment to grade, excavate, backfill and compact waste.
• Control truck dumping flow and direct customers to appropriate areas.
• Respond to on-site emergencies including fires, spills, and hazardous events.
• Perform pre-trip inspections and maintain equipment cleanliness and readiness.
• Interact with the public and uphold safety and policy compliance at landfill sites.

Skills

Operate heavy equipment safely

Road and landfill safety rules

Surveying principles

Emergency response

Public interaction

Education

High School or GED

Tools

CDL Class A

Air brakes endorsements

Tanker endorsement

Hazardous waste endorsements

FMCSA Clearinghouse consent

Job description

Job Description Summary

Pay Rate: $30.12 - $38.20 per hour (AFSCME 2264 Pay Plan, B25 Step 1-13)

Hiring Rate: $30.12 - $31.97 per hour (AFSCME 2264 Pay Plan, B25 Step 1-4 DOQ)

Job Closing Date: 11/5/2026

There is one vacancy with the Yakima County Public Services-Solid Waste Division for a Heavy Equipment Operator. The Heavy Equipment Operator provides skilled work in the safe and efficient operation of heavy equipment with complex controls utilized in the proper disposal of municipal solid waste at one or more Yakima County solid waste disposal sites.

Operate a D-8 Dozer or similar for the grading excavating, backfill and pushing waste. Operate a refuse compactor to achieve appropriate compaction of waste. Operate a wood waste grinder for the grinding of materials. Operate other equipment to include but not be limited to front end loader, water truck, bin truck, and waste truck and walking floor trailers.

Apply knowledge of driving laws and proper use of equipment, road building materials, basic survey principles, construction safety principles and environmental regulations related to landfill work. Identify potentially hazardous or unacceptable materials at the job site and coordinate proper disposal.

Responds to inquiries and complaints from the general public; interacts with the public to ensure safety within the landfill, transfer station and recycling areas; explains policies and ordinances related to the Solid Waste Divisions. Performs other duties as assigned. Monitor, control and direct activities at the job site; control flow and sequence of truck dumping, direct customers to appropriate areas.

Respond to on-site accidents, emergencies including fires and explosions and hazardous spills to assess immediate concerns and to respond to them with equipment.

Perform visual safety inspections of equipment; checking fluid levels and tire pressure, refueling equipment, maintain vehicle cleanliness and perform pre-trip (walk around) inspections.

Experience and Training:

• High School or (G.E.D.) AND six (6) years equipment operation experience.
• Applicants with equivalent education and/or experience must provide a detailed explanation.

Required:

• Class A, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Ability to learn to operate all pieces of solid waste equipment within one (1) year of employment.
• Consent for queries of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to comply with Federal Regulations (49 CFR Part 382).

Preferred:

• Air brakes, tanker and hazardous waste endorsements.
• Experience in landfill construction and maintenance.
• Certification from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).

Equipment Used:

• D-8 Dozer or equivalent, Loader, telephone, 2 way radio, wood waste grinder, compactor, twin engine scraper, water truck, grader, waste truck, walking floor trailers and other equipment associated with landfill maintenance.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed primarily outdoors for extended periods and under unfavorable weather conditions.

Requires: excessive noise, exposure to weather, extreme temperatures, moving/mechanical parts, pathogen exposure, vibration, travel, multiple works locations, field work, bending, carrying, handling, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, fingering, balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, kneeling, reclining, hearing, smelling, talking, visual acuity, ability multitask, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, ability to follow verbal instructions. May be exposed to hostile / angry individuals; work outside of standard business hours and locations. Other: Stooping, mobility, grasping, feeling, repetitive motions.

Heavy Work:

Exerting up to or in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work is performed out in the field performing maintenance and construction on roadways and infrastructures.

Knowledge:

• Road and facility maintenance techniques;
• Mathematical calculations sufficient to determine slopes and grades;
• Preventative and equipment maintenance techniques including troubleshooting;
• Safe equipment operation procedures;
• Safety precautions related to waste disposal;
• Surveying principles;
• Customer service techniques;
• Demonstrated application of safety procedures;
• Demonstrated ability to respond to on-site situations;
• Demonstrated ability to identify potential on-site hazards.

Skills (and abilities):

• Performing activities related to operation of heavy equipment;
• Applying a working knowledge of possible exposure to biological and/or chemical contaminants;
• Using surveying instruments;
• Driving equipment within landfills amidst heavy traffic;
• Determining a course of action if needed related to potential contamination;
• Setting a grade;
• Reacting quickly and correctly in emergency situations such as a landfill fire;
• Interacting with the public, businesses, contractors and city haulers;
• Applying customer service techniques;
• Establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels and with the public;
• Both oral and written communication sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Equal Opportunity Employer

“AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”

Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person’s age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.