Recycling Heavy Equipment Operator: Safe & Efficient Waste Handling

Republic Services; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical benefits

Dental and vision coverage

Retirement plan with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Job summary

Republic Services is seeking an Operator – Heavy Equipment to safely operate forklifts, excavators, bulldozers, and front‑end loaders at recycling centers, landfills, or transfer stations. You will inspect equipment before and after use and monitor waste streams to ensure compliant handling.

The role requires two years of heavy equipment experience and OSHA site exposure, with emphasis on safety, efficiency, and punctual reporting.

Qualifications

• Two years’ prior related experience in heavy equipment operation.
• One year of prior experience working at sites regulated by OSHA.
• Good customer services skills to meet and exceed customer expectations; acts in a professional, courteous and cooperative manner toward customers and co-workers; works with a sense of honesty and trustworthiness.
• Good time management skills to ensure assigned responsibilities are completed in an efficient and safe manner.
• Good follow through ability; ability to adhere to work schedule and follows through on challenges as they arise.
• Ability to adhere to Company policies and rules set forth; promotes the Company’s safety standards; does not take inappropriate risks.
• Maintains a feeling of pride in work; strives to achieve all goals.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre- and post-operation inspection of the equipment in accordance with Company policy to ensure windows, lights, mirrors and rear view camera are clean.
• Safely and efficiently operate equipment that may include forklift, excavator, bulldozer, front-end loader and other equipment using proper safety standards.
• Continuously monitor waste for evidence of unacceptable waste in materials.
• Continuously monitor the condition of the equipment to ensure it is operationally ready at all times to minimize down time; clean tracks or wheels on equipment, as needed.
• Perform and document minor service on equipment, referring more complicated mechanical issues to Maintenance Shop for repair.
• Complete Equipment Condition Report and other reports, as necessary; report any necessary repairs to supervisor, as needed.
• Follow all required safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure that shop is clean, serviced and stored at the completion of each shift.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

OSHA site experience

Customer service

Time management

Follow through

Safety compliance

Professional conduct

Pride in work

Job description

Republic Services is seeking an Operator – Heavy Equipment to safely operate forklifts, excavators, bulldozers, and front‑end loaders at recycling centers, landfills, or transfer stations. You will inspect equipment before and after use and monitor waste streams to ensure compliant handling.

The role requires two years of heavy equipment experience and OSHA site exposure, with emphasis on safety, efficiency, and punctual reporting.