Heavy Equipment Operator (Full-Time and Part-Time)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Nashville, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-00045
Department: Public Utilities
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


General Statement of Duties

Full Time Pay: $39,037.00/year
Part-Time Pay: $18.77/hour

Performs skilled trades work, operating heavy equipment to maintain the County landfill, performing equipment maintenance and repairs, assisting the public, and performing related work as required. This work will require the ability to work indoors and outdoors. This work will require the ability to operate in extreme heat and cold weather. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Solid Waste Manager.

Essential Duties and Tasks


Operates heavy equipment such as front-end loaders, excavators, bulldozers, skid steers, compactors, and other vehicles and equipment used in the disposal of solid waste at the landfill.
Compacts and covers C & D waste, yard waste, and recycling; checks and maintains level grade; fertilizes and seeds hills and slopes.
Performs preventive maintenance and general repairs on equipment and inspects equipment.
Observes to ensure that items are placed in correct locations; removes contaminants from working areas. Also monitors for banned materials.
Receives and responds to inquiries; assists the public with information on items prohibited materials, directs the public to the proper location for disposing of materials.
Performs other related work as required.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities


Considerable knowledge of the operating principles of gasoline and diesel engines, and of the standard mechanical components of trucks and heavy equipment.
Considerable knowledge of the methods of landfill operations, including grading and drainage requirements, and regulations regarding the operations of a C&D, LCID landfill.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in the detection of mechanical issues.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments
Ability to work with coworkers in a teamwork environment.

Desirable Education and Experience

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
High school diploma or GED and moderate experience in operating heavy equipment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina.
Possession of or the ability to obtain the NC SWANA Landfill Operations Specialist certification within six months of employment (subject to NC SWANA scheduling)
INSURANCE PROGRAMS
Nash County offers cafeteria-style benefits including:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Supplemental Health Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurances)
- Disability Insurance (Long-Term and Short-Term Disability)
and more!
FINANCIAL PROGRAMS
Retirement

Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. Employees contribute 6% of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have 5 years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS.

NC401(k)

The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a 5% contribution based on monthly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction.

457 Deferred Compensation

The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income.

Special Separation Allowance

The Separation Allowance is available to law enforcement officers between the ages of 55 and 62 years that are eligible and retire under the provisions of the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System.

125 Flexible Benefit Plan

Flexible Spending Account options are available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Convenience Card program gives you instant access to your account funds.

• Health Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses.
• Dependent Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent care expenses.

Direct Deposit

Direct Deposit is a condition of employment for all employees. Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice.
LEAVE PROGRAMS
Vacation Leave

For regular full-time County employees, vacation leave accrues based on length of service in the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated vacation leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit.

Sick Leave

For regular full-time County employees, sick leave accrues each pay-cycle. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS.

Holidays

The policy of the County is to follow the holiday schedule as published by the State of North Carolina each year.
The following holidays are observed:

• New Year's Day,
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and
• Three (3) days at Christmas.

Military Leave

Annual Training - Reserves and National Guard -Ten paid workdays per fiscal year.
Active Duty - Reserves and National Guard - Ten paid workdays upon activation.

Civil Leave

Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof.

Family Medical Leave Act

Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee.
OTHER PROGRAMS
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol/drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems.

Wellness Center and Telemedicine

We believe that staying healthy is inclusive of exercising regularly and taking care of your physical body. Nash County has a Wellness Center, which consists of various exercise equipment and videos, open to all full and part-time employees.


All full-time employees also have access to telemedicine through Teladoc. Teladoc treats conditions like allergies, sore throats, asthma, and more. Doctors are available by phone or video 24/7 from wherever you are. They are available to diagnose symptoms and send a prescription if needed.


NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

The benefits offered by Nash County are subject to change. In the event there is a conflict between the above contents and Nash County policies and/or a State or Federal statute, the policy/statute shall control. Plan documents will govern benefits plans should there be a conflict with this information. They are not held out to any employee as part of any contractual agreement. Benefits, policies, and procedures are subject to change or termination at any time.

Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Actual provisions of each plan will be provided on the certificate of coverage as part of the Summary Plan description.

Nash County is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Provider

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's Target Center at View phone number on click.appcast.io (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at filing cust.html and any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.
To request a copy of the complaint form, call View phone number on click.appcast.io. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:


1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io; or
3. email: View email address on click.appcast.io

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
01


Which schedule are you applying for?

• Part Time
• Full Time
• Both Part-Time and Full Time

02


Do you currently possess the NC SWANA Landfill Operations Specialist certification?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have a valid NC drivers license?

• Yes
• No

04


Which best describes your level of education?

• No GED and no High School Diploma
• GED or High School Diploma
• Some college
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate's Degree

Required Question