Heavy Equipment Operator

Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Job Hubs career section to apply for this position.

The mission of Yakima County Government is to provide accessible, responsive and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs.

Our Values:

• Integrity

• Common Sense

• Innovation

• Accountability

Position Data:

Solid Waste Heavy Equipment Operator-J23-U13-HRegularNon-Exempt (eligible for overtime)

Overview:

Job Description Summary
Pay Rate: $30.12 - $38.20 per hour (AFSCME 2264 Pay Plan, B25 Step 1-13)
Hiring Rate: $30.12 - $31.97 per hour (AFSCME 2264 Pay Plan, B25 Step 1-4 DOQ)

Job Closing Date: 11/5/2026

There is one vacancy with the Yakima County Public Services-Solid Waste Division for a Heavy Equipment Operator. The Heavy Equipment Operator provides skilled work in the safe and efficient operation of heavy equipment with complex controls utilized in the proper disposal of municipal solid waste at one or more Yakima County solid waste disposal sites.

Benefits included in position:
-Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
-Retirement Benefits
-Paid Vacation
-Paid Holidays
-Paid Sick Leave

This is a Teamsters Local 760 Bargaining Unit Position.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Department of Corrections)

Responsibilities:

Solid Waste Heavy Equipment Operator-J23-U13-H

Essential Duties:

Operate a D-8 Dozer or similar for the grading excavating, backfill and pushing waste. Operate a refuse compactor to achieve appropriate compaction of waste. Operate a wood waste grinder for the grinding of materials. Operate other equipment to include but not be limited to front end loader, water truck, bin truck, and waste truck and walking floor trailers.

Apply knowledge of driving laws and proper use of equipment, road building materials, basic survey principles, construction safety principles and environmental regulations related to landfill work. Identify potentially hazardous or unacceptable materials at the job site and coordinate proper disposal.

Responds to inquiries and complaints from the general public; interacts with the public to ensure safety within the landfill, transfer station and recycling areas; explains policies and ordinances related to the Solid Waste Divisions. Performs other duties as assigned. Monitor, control and direct activities at the job site; control flow and sequence of truck dumping, direct customers to appropriate areas.

Respond to on-site accidents, emergencies including fires and explosions and hazardous spills to assess immediate concerns and to respond to them with equipment.

Perform visual safety inspections of equipment; checking fluid levels and tire pressure, refueling equipment, maintain vehicle cleanliness and perform pre-trip (walk around) inspections.

Experience and Training:

High School or (G.E.D.) AND six (6) years equipment operation experience.

(Note: Applicants with equivalent education and/or experience must provide a detailed explanation.)

Required:

Class A, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Ability to learn to operate all pieces of solid waste equipment within one (1) year of employment.

Consent for queries of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to comply with Federal Regulations (49 CFR Part 382).

Preferred:

Air brakes, tanker and hazardous waste endorsements. Experience in landfill construction and maintenance.

Certification from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).

Equipment Used:

D-8 Dozer or equivalent, Loader, telephone, 2 way radio, wood waste grinder, compactor, twin engine scraper, water truck, grader, waste truck, walking floor trailers and other equipment associated with landfill maintenance.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed primarily outdoors for extended periods and under unfavorable weather conditions.

Requires: excessive noise, exposure to weather, extreme temperatures, moving/mechanical parts, pathogen exposure, vibration, travel, multiple works locations, field work, bending, carrying, handling, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, fingering, balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, kneeling, reclining, hearing, smelling, talking, visual acuity, ability multitask, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, ability to follow verbal instructions. May be exposed to hostile / angry individuals; work outside of standard business hours and locations. Other: Stooping, mobility, grasping, feeling, repetitive motions.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to or in excess of 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. Work is performed out in the field performing maintenance and construction on roadways and infrastructures.

Knowledge:

Road and facility maintenance techniques; mathematical calculations sufficient to determine slopes and grades; preventative and equipment maintenance techniques including troubleshooting; safe equipment operation procedures; safety precautions related to waste disposal; surveying principles; and customer service techniques. Demonstrated application of safety procedures; demonstrated ability to respond to on-site situations; and demonstrated ability to identify potential on-site hazards.

Skills (and abilities):

Performing activities related to operation of heavy equipment; applying a working knowledge of possible exposure to biological and/or chemical contaminants; using surveying instruments; driving equipment within landfills amidst heavy traffic; determining a course of action if needed related to potential contamination; setting a grade; reacting quickly and correctly in emergency situations such as a landfill fire; interacting with the public, businesses, contractors and city haulers; applying customer service techniques; establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels and with the public; and both oral and written communication sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

“AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”
Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person’s age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish the information.

Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information.

Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to or contact your federal loan servicer.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.