Landfill Equipment Operator III

Sacramento County; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento County is seeking a Landfill Equipment Operator III to lead, plan, and oversee operations at our facilities, ensuring tasks are completed safely and efficiently.

Under general supervision, you will manage staff, coordinate schedules, provide training, and maintain records. You will apply county policies, safety regulations, and use GPS and radio systems to support daily operations while delivering reliable service to the public.

Qualifications

• Five years of full-time paid experience operating heavy equipment.
• Experience with landfill or road construction equipment preferred.
• Ability to interpret policies and safety regulations.
• Valid California Driver License; CDL-B required within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise Landfill Equipment Operators and Sanitation Workers.
• Plan, coordinate, assign, and review work.
• Provide direction and training to staff.
• Ensure compliance with laws, codes, and safety regulations.

Skills

Lead and mentor staff

Plan and schedule work

Provide training

Communication skills

Customer service

Tools

GPS navigation systems

Databases

Two-way radio devices

Electronic records systems

Job description

The Position

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 9/2/2026, 9/16/2026 (final).

Under general supervision, the Landfill Equipment Operator III leads, plans, schedules, and oversees the work of Landfill Equipment Operators and lower level staff while performing the same and/or more difficult duties as those being led; ensures completion of tasks in accordance with established policies and procedures; communicates policies, procedures and job expectations; and provides training to staff.

Examples Of Knowledge And Abilities

• Principles and practices of training, mentoring and leadership
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of assigned programs and functions
• Procedures and policies pertaining to landfill regulations
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to refuse collection and disposal
• Procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as databases, two-way radio communication devices, GPS navigation systems and other specialized applications related to area of assignment
• Basic arithmetic (i.e., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, percentages, ratios, and fractions)
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Heavy duty landfill and earthmoving equipment operation
• Grade staking procedures
• Safety rules and regulations pertaining to refuse disposal
• Principles of effective customer service

Ability to

• Lead and train Landfill Equipment Operator staff and Sanitation Workers
• Plan, coordinate, assign, and review the work of staff
• Provide work direction and instruction to subordinates and/or new employees
• Research and evaluate work problems, and recommend solutions
• Develop and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with co-workers and the public
• Make arithmetical computations accurately and rapidly
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Maintain current training records, certification records and other required records up to date
• Read, understand, and adhere to County and department policies and procedures relating to area of assignment
• Complete and submit basic written reports when required
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Apply customer service skills, including the identification of customer needs and follow up to ensure customer commitments have been met
• Operate landfill and heavy equipment vehicles
• Use hand levels, laser equipment and GPS systems
• Adapt to new technologies, work processes, and equipment
• Use electronic technology for record keeping, training, and communication

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Five years of full-time paid experience in landfill and/or road construction work operating heavy equipment, such as dozers, wheeled or track loaders and backhoes, landfill compactors, articulated haul trucks, motor graders, wheeled or track excavators, and scrapers or earth-movers.

Note: If the word “experience” is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

General Qualifications

Criminal History and Background Checks: The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate’s ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.

License Requirement: A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, is required prior to appointment. Incumbents in this class must obtain a valid California Commercial Driver’s License, Class B or higher, without an Airbrake Restriction, within 90 days of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License, or comply with state and federal requirements for utilization, may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis.

Physical Requirements: Positions in this class require the incumbents to be able to:

• Have sufficient strength, stamina and agility to perform medium to heavy manual labor for brief periods of time.
• Sit for extended periods of time while operating equipment.
• Occasionally climb on ladders.
• Climb on and off equipment.
• Assist in changing wear teeth and blades which requires bending, stooping, and lifting weights up to 50 pounds.
• Operate heavy equipment on uneven terrain for an extended period of time.

Individuals who do not meet these requirements due to disability will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis.

Working Conditions: Positions in this class require the incumbent to:

• Work outside in all types of climatic conditions including inclement and very hot weather.
• Work around dust, dirt, odors, and refuse. Work in loud or noisy areas.
• Work around machinery and equipment with moving parts.
• Work in enclosed tight spaces.
• Work various shift, overtime, weekends, holidays and non-routine hours.
• May occasionally work indoors in the Landfill office building.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at [e-mail] or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711