Technician

Harvey County; Kansas; On-site; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team in a vital role focused on the safe and efficient operation of heavy solid waste equipment. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to environmental sustainability by managing waste effectively while ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Ideal candidates will possess an Associate's degree and relevant experience, along with a passion for teamwork and community service. The role involves operating heavy machinery, performing maintenance, and ensuring a clean and safe environment at the Transfer Station. If you're ready to make a difference in your community, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and two years experience in construction or related field required.
• OSHA training and Kansas Class A CDL necessary for this role.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment for waste management and maintain safety regulations.
• Perform inspections and repairs on County equipment and facilities.

Skills

Heavy Equipment Operation

Maintenance and Repair

Safety Regulations Knowledge

Traffic Laws Knowledge

Record Keeping

Mathematical Calculations

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Education

Associate’s Degree

Tools

Precision Measuring Instruments

Electrical Testing Devices

Heavy-Duty Trucks

Tractor and Compost Turner

Job description

Minimum starting rate: $20.59

Employment Type: Full-time

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for safe, efficient operation, and care of heavy solid waste equipment for the ground preparation, receiving, distribution and movement of waste to the landfill in a safe and sanitary manner.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Performs a variety of skilled work in the maintenance and repair of County equipment and Transfer Station facility.
• Drives and operates heavy equipment including wheel loader, trash compactor, dozer, paddle scraper, motor grader and backhoe and other equipment to separate the waste stream into construction, metal, debris, brush, leaves, grass, recyclables, and contaminants.
• Loads solid waste onto trailers; pushes and packs trash with backhoe.
• Drives a semi to haul trailers full of waste to the regional solid waste landfill; hauls metal bins and convenience area roll off bins.
• Performs inspection of vehicles and semi-tractor trailers pre and post inspections.
• Uses tools such as precision measuring instruments and electrical and electronic testing devices; diagnoses machine, equipment, and infrastructure malfunctions.
• Diagnoses mechanical problems and determines how to correct them, checking blueprints, repair manuals, or parts catalogs, as necessary.
• Adjusts functional parts of devices or control instruments, using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, or straightedges.
• Directs unloading of solid waste at Transfer Station; controls public traffic and other operators passing near, in, or around work zones.
• Collects and sorts household hazardous waste including latex, oil, and pesticides, opens cans and bulk paints.
• Mixes finished compost, which includes grass and leaves, food waste, biosolids, grains, feed straw, sawdust, and any other compostable material and places it into rows.
• Uses tractor and compost turner to mix materials.
• Reads construction drawing and blueprints.
• Takes temperatures of composting material and determines when compost is finished; performs sampling of finished compost.
• Maintains records for KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) on compost.
• Loads and hauls finished compost for construction and debris cover.
• Enforces Federal, State and local policies and regulations related to solid waste.
• Keeps transfer station floor clear so customers, garbage trucks, roll offs and pickups can unload efficiently.
• Mows grass; burns brush piles.
• Prepares time and work records and reports.
• Performs other general maintenance and clean up duties as needed.
• Inspects equipment daily for safety and maintenance.
• Ensures all activities are carried out in a safe manner; adheres to all County safety regulations; ensures all regulations pertaining to the safe use of equipment are understood and followed.
• Reports all accidents to the appropriate authority. Follows all policies for reporting.

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•         Associate’s degree from an accredited college and two (2) years of experience in general construction, facilities management or related field.

•         Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) training.

•         OSHA Hazwoper training.

•         Kansas Class A Commercial driver’s license.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS

Works under direct supervision of the Solid Waste Director. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

•         Knowledge of all phases of infrastructure maintenance activities, heavy emphasis on area of assigned responsibility.

•         Knowledge of materials used in maintenance programs.

•         Knowledge of safe operations of heavy-duty trucks and equipment.

•         Knowledge of care and use of equipment and tools utilized in the performance of division functions.

•         Knowledge of preventative maintenance and repair on assigned equipment.

•         Knowledge of traffic laws and ordinances.

•         Knowledge of occupational hazards (OSHA) and safe work practices.

•         Knowledge of Personal Protective Equipment and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

•         Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the County.

•         Knowledge of current office practices and procedures.

•         Knowledge of computer software consistent for this position.

•         Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.

•         Skill in operating equipment safely and efficiently.

•         Skill to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.

•         Ability to perform manual labor in an outdoor environment and over uneven terrain.

•         Ability to operate motor vehicles safely in all circumstances and weather conditions.

•         Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.

•         Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.

•         Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.

•         Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

•         Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.

•         Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.

•         Ability to work as a member of a team.

•         Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

•         Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.

Essential Physical Functions of the position are provided in the Functional Job Analysis Attachment.

•         Ability to observe details at close range.

•         Communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas so others understand.

•         Work may involve mobility over rough or difficult terrain. Work may also be performed above or below ground, to include heights over 10 feet, as well as underground crawl spaces.

•         Work is performed daily both in and outdoors under all weather conditions and may include exposure to inclement weather, chemicals, seasonal temperature extremes, bodily fluids, infectious diseases, hazardous waste, noise, equipment and vibrations, airborne materials, active construction sites, and traffic.

Applications are available in the Administration Office of the Harvey County Courthouse, 800 N. Main St., Newton, KS, or you can apply online on this job posting.

Vacancy open until filled. EOE. First review of applications on September 25, 2024.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf

https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf