Solid Waste Equipment Operator (Tier 1) -Gibsonton Area

Job Distinctions

Operates light equipment at transfer station for site clean-up, ensures equipment is in working condition and/or makes minor repairs and adjustments to equipment, directs traffic and guides customers for proper unloading of waste, inspects solid waste material received and removes unauthorized materials.

Job Distinctions

This critical position is designed to operate heavy equipment utilized for the collection, processing and transport of solid waste at the transfer stations and Community Collection Centers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on the assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Operates motorized equipment such as pickup trucks, front-end loaders, skid steers, street sweepers, and other similar equipment to perform a variety of solid waste operational functions, including performing site clean-up.   Operation of motorized equipment constitutes at least 50% of daily job duties. 

• Checks and ensures that equipment is serviced and in good working condition; makes minor repairs and adjustments to equipment and ensures that periodic maintenance and major repairs are performed. 

• Performs daily safety inspections and observes proper safety practices and regulations when operating or working around equipment. 

• Screens solid waste materials received at the transfer station and removes unauthorized materials in accordance with the site’s operational permit.

• Assists with directing traffic and guiding customer vehicles into position for proper unloading of waste.

• Assists with manual work related to transfer station operations, including cleaning waste loading and unloading areas in accordance with site’s operational permit.

• Uses manual tools to pick up litter at the facility and ensure proper disposal.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on the assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Operates heavy equipment, including front-end loaders, excavators, straight roll-off trucks, and skid steers, to support Solid Waste operations such as receiving waste, loading trailers, processing roll-off containers, and performing site clean-up activities (equipment operation is at least 75% of daily duties).

• Screens incoming Solid Waste materials at transfer stations and community collection centers, ensuring compliance with operational permits by removing unauthorized materials.

• Inspects and services assigned equipment daily to confirm safe and efficient operation; performs minor repairs and adjustments and coordinates periodic maintenance or major repairs as required.

• Conducts daily safety inspections and adheres to all safety practices, regulations, and procedures when operating or working around equipment.

• Responds as needed before, during, and after emergencies in accordance with the County’s Emergency Response Plan.

• Operates roll-off trucks to transport bulk Solid Waste materials in a variety of conditions, including constricted loading/unloading areas, unimproved roads, and heavily traveled highways, in compliance with DOT and County safety standards.

• Operates hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical auxiliary equipment associated with assigned machinery.

• Utilizes manual tools to clean equipment, assigned work areas, and grounds, ensuring proper disposal and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Provides direction or guidance to lower-level operators, maintenance staff, trades helpers, or laborers on specific projects; may act as lead operator when assigned.

• Performs other related duties as required. 

Job Specifications

• Knowledge of traffic laws and regulations applicable to the operation of motorized construction, maintenance, and transport equipment on public streets and highways.

• Knowledge of the operation of a variety of motorized equipment.

• Ability to operate a variety of motorized equipment.

• Ability to service and make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment.

• Knowledge of safety equipment, standards and regulations. 

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to demonstrate good customer service skills.

• Ability to read and understand work related material.

• Ability to work effectively with others.

Job Specifications

• Working knowledge of the operation of a variety of medium to heavy motorized construction equipment and transportation vehicles, including front-end loaders or excavators.

• Working knowledge of traffic laws and regulations applicable to the operation of motorized construction, maintenance, and transport equipment on public streets and highways.

• Ability to perform service and make minor repairs to medium to heavy motorized construction equipment and transportation vehicles.

• Ability to perform work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

• Ability to perform work requiring heavy physical labor.

• Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of others.

• Ability to demonstrate good customer service skills.

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

• The ability to evaluate situations that may arise while operating and draw logical conclusions to solve problems.   Seeks managements guidance when unable to address an issue.

• Ability to pass DOT physical on an annual basis.

Physical Requirements

• Required to work in outside in all types of weather.

• Required to lift to 50 lbs. and push/pull up to 100 pounds.

Work Category

• Heavy Work – Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to pass DOT physical.

• Required to work in outside in all types of weather.

• Exposure to loud sounds in a waste transfer station, handle inordinate smells from trash and exposure to dirt-filled and dusty grounds.

Work Category

• Heavy Work – Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Completion of the ninth grade; AND

• Three (3) months experience in the operation of motorized equipment such as front-end loaders or skid steers; OR

• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND

• Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Completion of the ninth grade; AND

• Three (3) years of experience in the operation of medium and heavy construction equipment, including front-end loaders or excavators; OR

• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND

• Possession of a valid Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL) or attain within the probationary period; AND

• Possession of Transfer Station Spotter/Waste Screener certification or attain within the probationary period.