Solid Waste Operator

County of Kittitas (WA); Ellensburg (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Kittitas County's Solid Waste Department seeks a dedicated Solid Waste Operator to oversee disposal operations at county facilities. You will ensure courteous, compliant service and manage yardage, receipts, and fee information while following policy guidelines.

The role requires operating heavy equipment (loader, dozer, excavator) and driving with a Class A CDL; you will monitor waste streams, maintain records, and assist with MRW and compost operations as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid WA CDL Class A with limited moving violations.
• Experience operating heavy equipment (loader, dozer, excavator).
• Ability to follow safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Direct customers to disposal areas.
• Inspect loads for liquids and hazardous waste.
• Complete forms per operations plan and forward receipts.
• Inform the public about solid waste programs.
• Operate and maintain equipment; monitor facilities.
• Assist MRW and compost facilities as needed.
• Maintain records, including yardage and cover material.
• Daily site monitoring for emissions and safety.

Skills

Equipment operation

Customer service

Safety orientation

Communication

Education

High School diploma or GED

Class A CDL endorsement

Tools

Loader

Bulldozer

Excavator

Tractor

Job description

The Solid Waste Operator oversees the waste disposal process at the Kittitas County Solid Waste facilities. Must maintain courteous and cooperative working relationships with administrative and other County personnel, public agencies, and the general public, and work under the guidance of Local/State/Federal regulations and County policies/procedures. Calculate yardage/tonnages and provide incoming customers with receipt. Inform customers of charges based on established fees.

• Direct customers to designated areas for disposal.
• Inspect all waste loads to screen for liquids, regulated and hazardous wastes.
• Complete all forms as required in accordance with the operations plan.
• Forward receipts to the Solid Waste Office for processing.
• Inform the public of the availability of County’s Solid Waste Programs.
• Perform other related duties as may be required from time to time by the Solid Waste Director.

Maintain the Limited Purpose Landfill Disposal site in accordance with the operations plan, Federal, State, and local rules and regulations.

• Perform crushing and pushup of disposed materials with 850J Dozer or equal.
• Keep track of yards of material disposed and install cover material in accordance with facility plan.
• Schedule and/or perform general maintenance to the equipment and site including dozer maintenance, Water truck maintenance, snow removal, road repairs, water tank maintenance, septage lagoon access, and site access.
• Operate and fill water truck and fill as needed to maintain water supply on site for fire protection and wash water for equipment, and to perform watering at lagoon area as required by permit.
• Keep records of Dozer and other equipment maintenance.
• Perform landfill cover material application in accordance with approved plan.

Moderate Risk Waste Facility, compost facility, scale house, and office.

• Fill in as needed at Compost facility:

1. Grind incoming material using a 3800 Morback grinder or similar.
2. Build wind rows and turn as needed.
3. Assist with screening at compost facility.

• Assist Solid Waste Specialist with MRW appointments.
• Maintain oil/antifreeze tanks at office and remote sites as needed.
• Collect batteries from participating businesses as needed.
• Assist office staff as required.
• Operate Ellensburg and Cle Elum scale houses as needed.

Perform monitoring duties at the Solid Waste facilities.

• Monitor septage lagoons for loads being disposed and freeboard capacity.
• Monitor area for wind-blown debris and clean up as needed.
• Monitor septage screens and clean weekly.
• Daily walk-through of the Limited Purpose Landfill area and the closed portion of the Ryegrass Landfill site, inspecting for evidence of combustion, vents or visible emissions in accordance with the Agreed Order between Department of Ecology and Kittitas County.
• Monitor leachate collection system and document flow meter readings, and weekly lysimeter testing.
• Assist with sampling of groundwater monitoring wells.
• Assist with monitoring compost temperatures as needed.

Maintain work area around job shack to be refuse free.

• Clean work area as needed.
• Pick up wind-blown litter around facility.
• Pick up wind-blown materials around septage lagoons.
• Perform other duties as may be required by the Solid Waste Director.

This job description is a summary of the primary functions and expectations for this position. Additional department-related duties may be assigned as required.

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License WITH a Class A CDL endorsement and no more than two (2) moving violations in the past two (2) years.
• Experience operating a loader, bulldozer, excavator and tractor.

• A criminal history and background check will be performed on qualified applicants. Convictions may preclude candidates from employment in certain circumstances. Factors such as relativity to the position, age and time of the offense, seriousness and nature of the violation, and rehabilitation will be taken into account.

Work is mostly performed outdoors in all weather conditions with exposure to hazardous materials and inclement weather including temperature extremes and windy/dusty conditions. Occasional work required near moving mechanical parts and occasional exposure to vibration. The noise level is usually loud in the field and moderately quiet in the office. The position requires frequent interactions with customers; must maintain professionalism at all times and handle frequent interruptions. Must be physically capable of moving about compost sites, traversing a variety of surfaces including those that are slippery or rugged, and entering/exiting a variety of equipment. Ability to sit, walk, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, stand, grasp with hands, and reach with arms and legs to operate equipment. Must have ability to push, pull, lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally more with assistance. Must have close, distance, color, night, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus; hearing and speech are required to communicate clearly in person, as well as over the telephone and/or radio. All PPE must be worn when required for employee safety, and safety rules/regulations must be adhered to at all times.

This position is scheduled to rotate Tuesday through Saturday. Occasional variance may occur to accommodate business needs. Regular and reliable attendance and punctuality are required.

Travel throughout the county and the local region is required; must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle in all weather conditions and levels of daylight.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.