Transfer Station Operator

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, dental, and vision

Retirement plan

12 paid holidays

Generous vacation and paid leave

Flexible schedules

Transit pass/ORCA

Job summary

King County is seeking a Transfer Station Operator to safely operate heavy equipment and engage with the public to educate on recycling diversion. You will move between tasks, help customers, and support site safety and maintenance across several transfer stations within King County.

The role requires experience with front end loaders, excavators, and related equipment, plus strong customer service in an industrial environment. Union representation applies and schedules vary by shift.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year experience operating heavy equipment as listed.
• Minimum one year experience in customer service within an industrial setting.
• Experience using hand tools in an industrial context.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate transfer station equipment including loaders, compactors, backhoe loader, bailers, forklifts, skid steers, and yard trucks.
• Provide customer-focused guidance to educate and direct patrons on recycling diversion.
• Assist customers with maneuvering and parking, ensuring safe facility use and preventing injuries.
• Screen for hazardous or unacceptable materials and respond appropriately.
• Maintain property and facility within defined boundaries.

Skills

front end loaders

mini excavator

truck & trailer operation

customer service in industrial env

hand tools operation

Job description

Summary

Solid Waste Division is a collaborative, forward-thinking, innovative workgroup. We interact with customers providing service, education, and guidance to ensure a successful experience. We are stewards for the environment, we focus on our customers, and we collaborate to drive results.

About This Role

Educating customers on diverting material away from Landfill, collaborating with recycle vendors, recover material of reusable resources.

About The Team

For a customer focused Transfer Station Operators (TSO) who are responsive problem solvers and who will support the Department and Division goals on Environmental Sustainability. Be part of this unit as the TSO Staff is well respected and creates positive change for all operational aspects (i.e. collection of materials, site design, safety committee, equipment purchasing, etc.). You will stay busy as you rotate between tasks, operate a variety of equipment, and work at several locations. Your efforts will help improve, contribute, and support changes that are currently happening.

Job Duties

• Safely operate transfer station equipment, which may include front end loaders, pre-load compactors, pedestal compactors, backhoe loader, bailers, forklifts, and skid steers/bobcat and operate yard trucks (\"goats\") to pull empty garbage hauling trailers into chutes and full trailers out to parking areas through sometimes confined areas.
• Customer-centric interaction with public and commercial haulers to educate and direct patrons with recycling diversion.
• Safely assist customers to safely maneuver and park vehicle, and properly utilize facility to avoid customer injury.
• Screen for hazardous and unacceptable materials and take appropriate action.
• Maintain property and facility within boundary.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Minimum one (1) year experience operating specific heavy equipment such as: (NOTE: Your application work history must demonstrate experience in this area.)
• front end loaders
• mini excavator
• driving or hosteling truck & trailer
• Minimum one (1) year experience related to: (NOTE: Your application work history must demonstrate experience in this area.)
• Customer Service in an industrial environment
• Operating hand tools in an industrial environment

Competencies You Bring

• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Required Licenses

• Valid Washington State Driver's License and ability to travel to multiple transfer station locations during the workday/shift.
• Offers of employment will be contingent upon verification of a valid Washington State Driver's License or verification of the ability to travel to other transfer stations during the workday/shift.

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring

• Basic computer skills for timesheet entry, email communication, virtual training and meetings.
• Basic mechanical skills providing facility and yard maintenance.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

• Work Location: On-site work, multiple locations within King County (Algona, Enumclaw, Renton, Tukwila, Factoria, Houghton, Shoreline, Vashon)
• Work Schedule: Multiple schedules include: 5/8 (5 days, 8 hours, 2 days off) 7/10 (7 days, 10 hours, 7 days off) and 7/10 Regular Part-Time (RPT) (7 days, 10 hours, 7 days off). RPT is primarily assigned to a 7/10 work schedule (7 days on, 10 hours per day, followed by 7 days off - Monday - Sunday). RPT positions are not guaranteed hours and are schedule to work as needed to supplement full-time schedules, with variable work hours, which include Day, Swing, and Graveyard shifts. RPT positions are utilized on a regular basis.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters, Local 174.
• Physical Requirements and Environment:
• Ability to work in, and operate heavy equipment and machinery on, uneven slopes, surfaces, and terrain, in heat/cold, wet/humid, inclement weather and other adverse conditions such as odor, high volume noise, dust, heavy traffic and confined spaces.
• Able to lift and carry 50 pounds.
• Experience working in adverse weather conditions and industrial environment.
• FLSA Status: This position is overtime eligible.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class.

However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.