Scale Operator

Scale Operator

The Operations Section of King County's Solid Waste Division (SWD) is inviting applications for two (2) Career Service positions. Join our team as a Scale Operator and play a vital role in delivering exceptional customer service while supporting our department and division goals related to environmental sustainability. As part of our dedicated team, you will help create a safe, efficient, and positive experience towards all operational aspects (i.e. customer service and customer experience, educational literature and public communications, safety, site design, and recycle improvements, to name a few).

This is an exciting opportunity for you to become part of our work family. You will contribute to our department and division goals related to environmental sustainability. The scale operator team creates positive change towards all operational aspects (i.e. customer service and customer experience, educational literature and public communications, safety, site design, and recycle improvements, to name a few).

This role is responsible for managing point-of-sale operations at a King County Solid Waste facility, which includes processing customer fees, managing daily financial receipts, and securing funds according to established open/close procedures. A core focus is providing excellent customer service while educating a diverse public on waste disposal rules, unsecured load laws, and compliance ordinances. Additionally, the position requires maintaining accurate transaction records, managing Scale House supply Inventory, and utilizing strong problem-solving skills to independently or collaboratively handle emergency situations and system failures in a fast-paced environment.

The King County Solid Waste Division (KCSWD) is responsible for the public solid waste system that services the people and communities of unincorporated King County and most cities within King County. KCSWD is the lead King County agency for delivering the Zero Waste of Resources goal for the region, which will reduce valuable materials sent to the landfill by up to 70%. KCSWD operates the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, ten transfer facilities, nine closed landfills, and many programs to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate natural systems.

The Solid Waste Division is a collaborative, forward-thinking, and innovative workgroup dedicated to shaping a sustainable future. We interact with our community daily, providing exceptional service, education, and guidance to ensure every resident and business has a successful experience. As passionate stewards of the environment, we don't just manage waste—we actively pursue modern resource management strategies, reduce environmental impacts, and champion sustainability. We are deeply customer-focused, continuously evolving our services to meet the changing needs of our community. By fostering a culture of teamwork, inclusivity, and shared purpose, we collaborate across departments and with the public to drive meaningful, measurable results.

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. In this Scale Operator position, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Solid Waste Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks. Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Provide customer service in a professional manner & educate on policies (internal (TSO's, Engineering, Electrician, Mechanic, RES, Comm, Internal Affairs), external (public/vendors))
• Reconcile daily funds & receipts
• Handle transactions that include cash handling, credit cards, Apple pay, King County vouchers using Point of Sale system (10 key on keyboard)
• Daily reporting (i.e. print receipts, send documents to Leads at Bow Lake)
• Interpersonal communication; customers, co-workers, vendors, other departments, team player

Qualifications You Bring:

• Working Knowledge (3-years preferred) cash handling and transaction management experience.
• Demonstrated (3-years preferred) customer service experience with internal and external customers in a fast paced/high volume environment.
• 10-key experience
• Aptitude to work closely with others; experience communicating with a diverse range of staff and customers in a pleasant, non-judgmental, respectful, and culturally sensitive manner
• Ability to work independently
• Written and oral communication skills; organizational skills
• This position requires the ability to travel in a timely manner to various work locations, including to sites which may not be served by public transportation. County vehicles may be available to utilize. Link to Transfer Station locations.

Competencies You Bring:

• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• 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.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring:

• Experience with De-escalation training.
• Public service experience; local, state, or federal government.

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: The operations Section works onsite, with possibility of multiple locations within the same work week.
• Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

• Work Schedule: Regular Part-Time Scale Operators are primarily assigned to a 7/10 work schedule (7 days on, up to 10 hours per day, followed by 7 days off (Tuesday - Monday) but may be assigned to a 5/8 schedule as needed. Regular part-time positions are not guaranteed any certain number of work hours per week and weekly hours vary. These positions are scheduled to work as needed to supplement full-time schedules. Winter months are slower and hours more limited, possibly only working weekend shifts. Summer months are busy, often yielding consistent full time and overtime work. Work hours are variable including Day, Swing, and Graveyard shifts. The Solid Waste Division is only closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. In this position, you are considered an essential employee and will be expected to work during weather, health and other emergency events.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters 174.

Application and Selection Process: We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in a skills test and one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter.

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening. For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Sonali Sharma at View email address on click.appcast.io.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• 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