Heavy Equipment Operator-Yakima County Solid Waste Department

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.

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.

• High School or (G.E.D.) AND six (6) years equipment operation experience.
• Applicants with equivalent education and/or experience must provide a detailed explanation.

• 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).

• Air brakes, tanker and hazardous waste endorsements.
• Experience in landfill construction and maintenance.
• Certification from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).

• 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.

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,…