Landfill Operator

Salary : $37,419.20 Annually
Location : 140 County Landfill Road - Palatka, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-016
Department: Sanitation
Opening Date: 11/26/2025


General Description


This full-time, hourly position that reports to the Landfill/Solid Waste Supervisor. The position performs work which is highly skilled work in the operation of the most complex and heavy motor-driven earth-moving equipment. Employees in this class are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of very heavy construction equipment. Work in this position requires a high degree of skill in working to engineering grades, in operating very heavy equipment, in working efficiently so as not to impede the progress of related operations, and in operating in close proximity to the public, as well as frequently interacting with the public.

Essential Job Functions

1. Operates heavy equipment in maintaining the County landfill.
2. Operates mobile hydraulically-operated excavation equipment such as dozer, compactor, etc.
3. Operates bulldozers, graders, pay loaders, and related construction and landfill equipment.
4. Occasionally may operate a simple dump truck, or a variety of minor powered machinery and equipment; may participate generally in the laboring work of the crew as workload demands, to include litter control and recycling at the working face.
5. Performs daily safety inspections of assigned equipment prior to and after use; performs routine service and maintenance.
6. Serves as "Trained Sanitary Landfill Operator" for the site as required.

(The essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related marginal duties as required.)

Minimum Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

1. Knowledge of the operation, maintenance, limitations and safety precautions of the particular equipment to which assignment is made.
2. Ability to make emergency repairs and to assist in making general repairs of motor driven and other construction equipment.
3. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
4. Ability to obtain necessary information and to complete accurate accident reports and other reports.
5. Ability to prepare simple reports.
6. Ability to operate heavy equipment over rough terrain and to perform manual labor occasionally under adverse weather conditions.
7. Skill in the operation of complex construction equipment.
8. Ability to give directions to the public at the landfill working face.
9. Knowledge of landfill operations including safety, cover requirements, compaction techniques, storm water control, litter control, and environmental protection methods and procedures.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Completion of the eighth grade.
2. Considerable experience in the operation and routine maintenance of heavy construction and automotive equipment.
3. Final decision of appointment to this job will be based on applicant's ability to physically operate, drive and perform the illustrated tasks described herein.
4. Minimum of one (1) year experience in Class I, Class III, or Construction and Demolition Debris landfills.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS

1. Possession of a valid Florida Driver's license (Class "E").
2. Possession of a valid certificate for "Trained Sanitary Landfill Operator" within one year of date of hire.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS

1. Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).
2. Acceptable hearing (with or without hearing aid).
3. Vibrations.
4. In and with moving equipment.
5. Traffic hazardous conditions.
6. Works around potentially hazardous waste material.

(Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability or disabilities.)
An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Putnam County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families today, and as they plan for their future. Below is a summary of the County Benefits for full-time employees:
CORE BENEFITS
• Medical/Health Insurance
• Employee Life Insurance (up to $50,000)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program

OPTIONAL BENEFITS
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program (ICMA, Nationwide, & Valic)
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Putnam County pays the monthly administrative fees.
• Tuition Assistance Program - Subject to budgetary constraints.
FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (for Board of County Commissioner employees only) Regular, full-time employees are eligible for reimbursement of educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Department for program details.

HOLIDAYS are as follows:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Birthday Holiday - (for Board of County Commissioner employees only)

ANNUAL (VACATION) LEAVE - All regular full-time employees assigned to a 37.50 work week will earn 90 hours to 150 hours, depending on classification and length of service. All regular full-time employees assigned to a 40 hour work week will earn 96 hours to 160 hours, depending on classification and length of service. Note: Leave accruals may differ for bargaining unit employees.

SICK LEAVE - All regular full-time employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 13 days per year. Regular part time employees will accrue sick leave on a pro-rata basis. Note: Leave accruals may differ for bargaining unit employees.

OTHER BENEFITS
Bereavement Leave
Cost Saving Incentive Program
Employee of the Quarter Program
Jury Duty Pay