Lead LF Heavy Equipment Operator

232 US Ecology Karnes County Disposal, LLC; Coyanosa (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental plans

Vision coverage

Retirement plan with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Job summary

Republic Services, Inc. is seeking a Lead Landfill Operator to safely run machinery at a recycling facility, landfill or transfer station. The role supervises Heavy Equipment Operators, ensures compliance with safety and regulatory requirements, and coordinates daily tasks to meet production needs.

Responsibilities include start-up inspections, data recording, basic troubleshooting, and guiding staff. The position emphasizes equipment readiness, efficiency improvements, and adherence to company

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in equipment operation.
• One year prior supervisory or lead operator experience working at sites regulated by OSHA.
• Experience with equipment and tool management/facility maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Inspect equipment at shift start and during start-ups, recording data.
• Operate heavy equipment such as forklift, excavator, bulldozer and more to support recycling/landfill operations.
• Monitor readiness of equipment to minimize downtime and perform basic troubleshooting.
• Coordinate daily activities of operators and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Train or assist in training of new employees and enforce company policies.

Skills

Equipment operation

Supervisory experience

Safety compliance

Education

OSHA certification

Tools

Facility maintenance

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Lead Landfill Operator is responsible for the safe operation of machinery and equipment at a recycling facility, landfill or transfer station. This position is accountable for coordinating the daily activities of Heavy Equipment Operators or Stationary Equipment Operators, ensuring that all work and processes adhere to safety regulations, as well as federal and state requirements.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Inspects all required equipment at the start of shift, and at each start-up that occurs during the shift. Records all required data in a complete and accurate manner on daily inspection forms. Completes Equipment Condition Reports and reports any necessary repairs to supervisor and/or maintenance shop. Safely and efficiently operates equipment that may include: forklift, scraper, motor grader, sweeper, baler, excavator, bulldozer, front-end loader and other recycling facility, landfill or transfer station equipment. Continuously monitors equipment to ensure it is operationally ready at all times to minimize down-time; performs basic troubleshooting, if necessary, and reports more complicated mechanical issues to maintenance staff to ensure equipment is repaired in most efficient manner possible. Reviews daily production schedules to accurately estimate hour requirements for completion of job assignments of heavy or stationary equipment operators; establishes work procedures to meet production schedules, making adjustments in work procedures as necessary to ensure production schedules can be adhered to. Recommends measures to improve production methods, equipment performance and quality. Suggests changes for equipment use, work space and other enhancements to increase efficiency of shop, department and work crew. Directs employees in completion of work; may interpret Company policies, instructions, specifications, blueprints or job orders for employee understanding; assigns duties and work to employees; confers with supervisor or manager to coordinate activities of individual departments or shifts; trains or assists in training of new employees. Ensures that shop is clean, serviced and stored at the completion of each shift. Performs other job-related duties as assigned or apparent.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum of 3 years of experience in equipment operation. Valid certificate(s) of training and applicable licenses for operation of equipment, as required. One year prior supervisory or lead operator experience working at sites regulated by OSHA. Experience with equipment and tool management/facility maintenance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

None

Rewarding Compensation and Benefits Eligible employees can elect to participate in:

• Comprehensive medical benefits coverage, dental plans and vision coverage.
• Health care and dependent care spending accounts.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employee discount programs.
• Retirement plan with a generous company match.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

Benefits: https://jobs.republicservices.com/us/en/about-us/benefits

The statements used herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by an employee in this position, and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required by an incumbent so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.

EEO STATEMENT:

Republic Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, relationship or association with a protected veteran (spouses or other family members), genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. For any concerns relating to Republic Services’ commitment to equal opportunity employment, you may contact the AWARE Line at 1-866-3-AWARE-4.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) is a leader in the environmental services industry. We provide customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, waste, special waste, hazardous waste and field services. Our industry-leading commitments to advance circularity and support decarbonization are helping deliver on our vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world. In 2025, Republic’s total company revenue was $16.6 billion, and adjusted EBITDA was $5.3 billion. We serve 13 million customers and operate more than 1,000 locations, including collection and transfer stations, recycling and polymer centers, treatment facilities, and landfills. Although we operate across North America, the collection, recycling, treatment, or disposal of materials is a local business, and the dynamics and opportunities differ in each market we serve. By combining local operational management with standardized business practices, we drive greater operating efficiencies across the company while maintaining day-to-day operational decisions at the local level, closest to the customer. Our customers, including small businesses, major corporations and municipalities, want a partner with the expertise and capabilities to effectively manage their multiple recycling and waste streams. They choose Republic Services because we are committed to exceeding their expectations and helping them achieve their sustainability goals. Our 42,000 team members understand that it's not just what we do that matters, but how we do it. Our company values guide our daily actions: Safe: We protect the livelihoods of our colleagues and communities. Committed to Serve: We go above and beyond to exceed our customers’ expectations. Environmentally Responsible: We take action to improve our environment. Driven: We deliver results in the right way. Human-Centered: We respect the dignity and unique potential of every person. We are proud of our high employee engagement score of 86. We have an inclusive and diverse culture where every voice counts. In addition, our team positively impacted 5.1 million people in 2024 through the Republic Services Charitable Foundation and local community grants. These projects are designed to meet the specific needs of the communities we serve, with a focus on building sustainable neighborhoods.

STRATEGY

Republic Services’ strategy is designed to generate profitable growth. Through acquisitions and industry advancements, we safely and sustainably manage our customers’ multiple waste streams through a North American footprint of vertically integrated assets. We focus on three areas of growth to meet the increasing needs of our customers: recycling and waste, environmental solutions and sustainability innovation. With our integrated approach, strengthening our position in one area advances other areas of our business. For example, as we grow volume in recycling and waste, we collect additional material to bolster our circularity capabilities. And as we expand environmental solutions, we drive additional opportunities to provide these services to our existing recycling and waste customers.

Recycling and Waste

We continue to expand our recycling and waste business footprint throughout North America through organic growth and targeted acquisitions. The 13 million customers we serve and our more than 5 million pick-ups per day provide us with a distinct advantage. We aggregate materials at scale, unlocking new opportunities for advanced recycling. In addition, we are cross-selling new products and services to better meet our customers’ specific needs.

Environmental Solutions

Our comprehensive environmental solutions capabilities help customers safely manage their most technical waste streams. We are expanding both our capabilities and our geographic footprint. We see strong growth opportunities for our offerings, including PFAS remediation, an increasing customer need.

Sustainability Innovation

Republic’s recent innovations to advance circularity and decarbonization demonstrate our unique ability to leverage sustainability as a platform for growth. The Republic Services Polymer Center is the nation’s first integrated plastics recycling facility. These innovative sites process rigid plastics from our recycling centers, producing recycled materials that promote true bottle-to-bottle circularity. We also formed Blue Polymers, a joint venture with Ravago, to develop facilities that will further process plastic material from our Polymer Centers to help meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging. We are building a network of Polymer Centers and Blue Polymer facilities across North America. Our customers are increasingly looking for decarbonization solutions, and we are leveraging our network of landfills to meet that need. Republic is committed to harnessing landfill gas, a natural byproduct of decomposing waste, and converting it to energy. Republic has partnered with renewable gas developers to construct Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) plants at our landfills, expanding beyond the 77 projects we currently have to make progress towards our goal to beneficially reuse 50% more biogas by 2030 (2017 baseline year).

RECENT RECOGNITION

Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies CDP Discloser Dow Jones Best-In-Class Indices Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies Great Place to Work Sustainability Yearbook S&P Global

Why Work With Us

Republic Services is a place where your effort is always appreciated and your teammates always have your back. When you give us your best, we give you ours. We’re constantly investing in new tools and technology that allow you to do your job safely and effectively. We offer plenty of opportunities to learn and grow within your role. And when we say “Sustainability in Action,” we mean it. Together, we’re leaving the world better than we found it through the work we do every day.

Are you in? Keep reading to learn more about the position we’re hiring for.