Heavy Equipment Operator

Salary : $47,444.80 - $61,672.00 Annually
Location : Brooksville, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 14482
Department: Utilities Department
Division: Landfill Operations
Opening Date: 06/30/2026
Closing Date: 7/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Max Number of Applicants: 30


Description


Performs generalized and specialized skilled work in the operation and maintenance of one or more types of stationary and motorized equipment used in solid waste landfill operations. Work involves operating heavy equipment, miscellaneous stationary equipment as well as basic labor duties.

Examples of Duties


The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility but shall not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

• Responsible for ensuring that prohibited wastes are not disposed of in the Class I garbage cell and the C&D landfill. Prohibited wastes include, but are not limited to tires, metal, C&D waste, yard waste, gas, oil, and batteries. Removal of foreign and prohibited materials to include litter control. Class I landfill is governed by FDEP and is operated within the provisions of the FDEP permit conditions.
• Inspection and identification of construction and demolition debris (following adequate training, which is provided) at the Northwest Facility's Class I garbage cell, C&D landfill and the privately-owned C&D landfills.
• Operates heavy and other equipment in the spreading, compacting and daily covering of solid waste in a landfill disposal cell. Operates various equipment in the movement of large quantities of earth in making trenches, roads, moving debris and burying debris, construction and demolition materials, and mulching of yard waste.
• Operates, maintains and makes minor repairs to various equipment.
• Operates hydraulic, specialized and other equipment within a waste facility in the handling and movement of various types of solid waste. May be required to operate outside waste facilities due to weather and other emergencies. Performs operational and preventive maintenance to heavy and hydraulic equipment; assist in repairs; cleans and lubricates on a daily basis as follows Standard Operating Procedures.
• Reports hazardous and unsafe conditions or materials to the Operations Supervisor as required by Florida Administrative Codes (FAC) Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Operate dual-axle equipment to transfer waste from outlying facilities to the landfill or other designated location. Drives a dual-axle truck-tractor pulling compactor trailers, low-boy trailers, tankers, and roll-off trailers within the county and central Florida.
• Transport leachate to various facilities for treatment. Completes daily log data to document leachate removal and disposal, provides pertinent information to the scale house and monitors the leachate levels in the storage tank.
• Ensure proper identification, processing and separation of special waste, hazardous waste and recyclable materials. (Hazardous waste is defined as chemical, biological, flammable, explosive, or radioactive wastes that pose a substantial danger, immediately or over time, to human, animal or plant life.)
• Operates compactors at transfer stations.
• Performs transports for oversized equipment, such as tubgrinder and other heavy equipment.
• Renders aid and customer service to the general public and businesses to assist in the proper placement of various wastes or recyclable products by oral instructions.
• Ability to read plans and surveys, understand, implement and perform shooting grade and finding lines utilizing levels, level rods, transits, GPS and grade stakes. Ability to conform to, construct and build the cell according to plans and surveys.
• Completes accurate truck logs, which includes tracking usage of vehicle and tonnage transported and provides completed log to scale house at end of shift. Maintains daily records of work completed. Possess general working knowledge of departments work order and paper trail system and the document flow associate with that system.
• Prepare and deploy/spray any alternate daily cover material.
• Fuel, grease and maintain various equipment utilizing fuel truck and automatic grease gun. Maintaining equipment includes but is not limited to: power washing, detailing, greasing and lubricating, cleaning tracks, sprockets and wheels
• Welds, cuts and repairs material boxes and other type of items utilizing industrial welding equipment and cutting torches.
• Cleans, repairs and maintains buildings and grounds (i.e. replacing fences and walls, mowing grass, cleaning equipment and facilities, and operates power tools, etc.)
• Position is subject to call-outs and non-traditional work hours during emergencies and other contingencies. Responds to callback, overtime and unscheduled work.
• Position is required to conform to all safety requirements, including but not limited to the wearing of safety uniforms, steel toe boots, work gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, ear protection, and any other personal protection equipment (PPE) required.
• Position is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of equipment, tools and supplies used. Maintains knowledge of trends and developments in safe equipment operating procedures and techniques, reviewing literature and/or attending training as necessary.
• Regular attendance, required to work at outlying facilities, as needed.
• Position is required to attend various classes and training.

Emergency Response
County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description. Employees may request an exemption from this requirement by submitting the appropriate exemption form, subject to review and approval.
Typical Qualifications


Minimum Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent (GED).
• Three (3) years' experience in the operation of heavy equipment. Two (2) years' experience with dual-axle equipment.

A combination of education, training and experience may be substituted at the County's discretion.

Licenses, Certifications, or Registrations

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License or must obtain within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida and be insurable by current insurance carrier.
• Must possess and maintain a valid proper Florida CDL, to operate equipment specified, to be obtained within twelve (12) months of employment.
• This position is subject to the Hepatitis B Vaccine and other vaccines as necessary.
• This position is subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing when necessary.
• Must have or be able to obtain certification within three (3) months of employment in FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses.

Required Competencies
Knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of safely operating construction type equipment.
• Practices, methods and materials used in construction and maintenance activities.
• Rules and regulations pertaining to safety and operation of equipment.
• Calculate quantities of materials.

Ability to:

• Make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment, and the ability to detect problems with equipment.
• Perform manual work.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions from supervisors or other management personnel.
• Skill in cleaning and maintaining equipment.
• Skill in operating medium to heavy equipment.
• Skill in the use of power tools.
• Interact with co-workers, supervisors and the public in a professional and courteous manner.

Supplemental Information


Physical Demands

• Smelling, kneeling, bending, standing, walking, lifting up to 100 lbs, carrying, climbing or pushing with arms and legs, use of fingers and hands, reaching above the shoulder and balancing or crawling, use of good hearing (with hearing aid) near and far vision used constantly.

Environmental Conditions

• This position involves working with different types of solid waste in various forms of decomposition, enduring strong odors and working with all types of weather conditions. Will be exposed to heavy equipment and large truck noise, chemicals, solvents, fumes, vibrations and poor ventilation on a constant basis.

Pay Grade: 6
Salary Disclosure: Pay rates are based on policy, education, skill, experience level and internal equity.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Hernando County BOCC provides to veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.

PLEASE REVIEW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON POSTING AND COMMUNICATE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION/RESUME. MINIMUM REQUIEMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE CONSIDERED.
All applications will be carefully reviewed to evaluate qualifications and overall suitability for the position. The relevance, scope, and length of related work experience, training, and education outlined in the application and resume will be considered during the screening process. Selected applicants will be contacted to participate in interviews. Candidates are encouraged to clearly document all pertinent experience, including relevant knowledge, skills, or abilities gained outside of traditional employment, in the additional information section of the application.

Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, gender, orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.

Hernando County is a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to drug testing in accordance with Federal and Florida State Law.


Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must provide notification to the BOCC in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.
Join our team!

Our benefits are designed to enhance your work and life balance, as well as the community we serve.

Hernando County offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees including health care, dental, vision, Florida Retirement System (FRS), voluntary deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, and paid time off plans.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page:
01


Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree

02


Do you possess a valid Florida Class A Commercial Driver's license with a good driving record?

• Yes
• No

03


Have you recently retired from the Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan or Investment Plan within the last 6 months?

• Yes
• No

04


How many total years of experience do you have in the operation of heavy equipment?
05


What procedures do you follow to maintain and inspect heavy equipment?
06


Describe a time when you had to troubleshoot a mechanical issue with heavy machinery.
Required Question