Equipment Operator - Solid Waste/Compost

Olmsted County Solid Waste Operator

Recognized as one of the best places to work in Southeast Minnesota for three consecutive years, at Olmsted County every role helps to foster a vibrant community where everyone thrives. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, driving public service excellence and community well-being.

We don't just offer a job, we offer a career filled with purpose, growth, and fulfillment. Our benefits package ensures your wellbeing, while career advancement opportunities and professional development empower you to reach your full potential.

Join us, and you'll be part of a purpose-driven team where your work truly makes a difference. Together, we build a sustainable, healthy, and welcoming community.

Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience

A combination of education and experience equivalent to three (3) years of full-time heavy equipment operation in a similar position as listed in the work functions.

Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid driver's license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years.

NOTE: Individuals will be required to complete a pre-employment drug test per the Omnibus Transportation Testing Act of 1991, Department of Transportation rule, 49 CFR part 40 and will be subject to subsequent testing as required per the regulation.

Required Special Qualifications:

Successfully complete the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency landfill operator II training course and become certified with one (1) year of employment.

Must pass a pre-employment physical and annual occupational physical in order to obtain medical approval to wear a respirator.

Desirable Qualifications:

Valid Minnesota Class A or B Commercial Driver's License.

Nature of Work

Under the general supervision, performs skilled work in a variety of solid waste tasks and locations. Safely and efficiently operates a variety of heavy and complex equipment used in the receipt, processing and disposal of solid waste, including filling, compaction, and covering of waste, maintenance and repair of various solid waste facilities, and the operation of the county yard waste compost site. Work is performed at all solid waste sites including the landfill, compost site, Olmsted Waste to Energy Facility (OWEF), hazardous waste facility, and the recycling center. Supports a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

Examples of Work

• Operates and maintains yard waste composting equipment including front end loaders, trommels, windrow turners, and water trucks.
• Receives, inspects, sorts, and processes Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), demolition, industrial solid waste, and yard wastes, and removes unacceptable items prior to their proper disposal.
• Operates and maintains landfill equipment including excavators, scrapers, dozers, compactors, semi-tractors, tandem trucks, industrial shredder, trommels and pickup trucks.
• Performs preventive and corrective maintenance tasks on a wide variety of equipment used in the processing of solid waste including excavators, scrapers, dozers, compactors, semi-tractors, tandem axle trucks, industrial shredders, front end loaders, trommels, windrow turners, pickup trucks, etc.
• Assists OWEF staff during outages. Loads and unloads miscellaneous equipment and deliveries, performs snow removal, and maintains tipping floor cleaning zone.
• Assists hazardous waste staff in receiving, sorting, and removal of problem and hazardous materials at the Olmsted Hazardous Waste Facility.
• Operates commercial scale at OWEF, Hazardous Waste Facility, and the landfill processing both cash and credit transactions.
• Mows grass on shoulders and in ditches, plows snow, and sands roads, etc.
• Meets with, informs, and educates the public.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the proper techniques, procedures, materials, and tools used in operating and maintaining heavy equipment as described above.
• Knowledge of the capabilities of the equipment operated including the adaptations and specialized uses to which equipment can be put in meeting emergency or other unusual conditions.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions involved in the operation of heavy mobile and stationary equipment.
• Knowledge of the basic operational requirements of a solid waste landfill.
• Knowledge of physical, chemical, and biological processes involved in the production of a marketable compost product.
• Knowledge of various types of solid waste produced in Olmsted County and the practices available for managing each.
• Knowledge of the traffic laws, ordinances and regulations involved in heavy equipment operation.
• Skill in the operation of heavy equipment.
• Skill in written and verbal communication.
• Skill in the use of computers and technology.
• Ability to identify various types of solid waste.
• Ability to safely use personal respiratory protective devices.
• Ability to follow both written and oral instructions.
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize work tasks.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work effectively with and educate the public.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical work.

Persons with disabilities: the above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: In compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the Physical and Environmental Demands:

Function: - 24% or Less - 25% - 49% - 50%-74% - 75% or more

Office environment - X

Outdoors environment - X

Shop environment - X

In vehicle/operating equipment - X

Exposure to needle sticks/sharps exposure - X

Exposure to human blood/pathogens/body fluids - X

Exposure to hazardous materials/chemicals/toxic or caustic chemicals - X

Confined/restricted working environment - X

Exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold, wet and/or humid - X

Exposure to noise - X

Exposure to vibration - X

Exposure to electrical current - X

Sitting - X

Standing, walking, reaching, pulling, climbing, crouching, kneeling, stooping, balancing, crawling - X

Pushing up to 75 pounds - X

Lifting up to 75 pounds - X

Handling, feeling - X

Repetitive hand and foot movements - X

Typing/data entry - X

Talking, hearing - X

Operate vehicle - X

Operate heavy equipment - X

Close vision, depth perception, field of vision - X

Distance and color vision - X

Accommodation (bring object into sharp focus) - X

Sedentary (exert up to 10 pounds of force) - X

Light effort (exert up to 20 pounds of force) - X

Medium effort (exert up to 50 pounds of force) - X

Heavy effort (exert up to 100 pounds of force) - X

Very heavy (exert over 100 pounds of force) - X

Proximity to moving, mechanical parts - X

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Additional Considerations

• This is a Rochester, MN based position and is not remote eligible at this time.
• International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.
• Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
• Olmsted County does not sponsor applicants for this position.