Solid Waste.Transfer Station Operator

Polk County Florida is hiring a Transfer Station Operator for its Solid Waste Division in Winter Haven, FL. The role involves operating heavy equipment to process solid waste, ensuring safety and compliance with regulations. Responsibilities include maintaining equipment, managing truck turnaround, and improving site appearance. The position offers a pay range of $20.89 to $30.30 per hour, with various employee benefits. Variable shifts are required, including weekends.
Transfer Station Operator

(Solid Waste)

Pay Range: $20.89hr -$30.30hr ($43,471.58 - $60,032.74/annually)
• *Internal candidates should apply via Polk One - Me Section **

Location: 10 Environmental Loop, Winter Haven, FL 33880

Employee Benefits
• Direct Deposit, Bi-Weekly Pay Checks
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• FRS Retirement
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Education Incentives
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Wellness Incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free Employee Gym
• Free Employee Health Clinic

Must have the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities, and duties of the job illustrated below:

MAJOR FUNCTIONS

Responsible for safe and effective equipment operations in processing solid waste for the Solid Waste Division. Employees in this classification operate a wide variety of heavy equipment that may be complex in nature, requiring considerable dexterity and acute motor skills. Work includes processing both hazardous and non-hazardous refuse and solid waste. Actively participates in maintaining the Solid Waste Division’s exceptional performance level by meeting and/or exceeding job requirements and customer’s expectations coupled with a positive attitude, unparalleled ethical behavior, and unquestionable work ethic.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Operates all pieces of heavy equipment with equal effectiveness in a high paced Transfer Station environment. Utilizes each unit with its specific function while processing a high volume of tonnage per day and servicing multiple customers on-demand. Operator’s physical requirements for the operation of each piece of equipment are essentially identical. The Transfer Station Operator’s primary responsibility is the proper operation and usage of the following equipment:

Front End Loader

Transfer Trailer

Roll-off Truck

Leachate Tanker/Vacuum Truck

Utilizing the above equipment and best management practices, performs day-to-day field operations in a manner consistent with state and local requirements. Assist in the implementation and improvement of the site’s operations plan to ensure compliance with all applicable permit requirements.

Works in conjunction with Transfer Station Foreman including the performance of; but not limited to:

Responsible for minimizing truck turnaround time, use of labor and equipment to manage daily tonnage. Continuously improves the appearance of the site by assisting with litter prevention, control, and collection.

Performs daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections of assigned equipment and completes documentation forms.

Performs light service and maintenance of vehicles and equipment.

Variable shift work during hours of operation; Monday-Friday 6 am-6 pm and Saturday 6 am-1:30 pm (occasional Sunday work and overtime as required.)

Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Knowledge of (OSHA), occupational hazards and safety precautions in the operation of assigned equipment. Ability and agility to make routine maintenance checks and minor repairs to equipment. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to read. Ability to complete work activity forms. Ability to use independent judgment. Ability to learn the physical and chemical characteristics of solid waste and how it should be handled. Ability to learn to recognize hazardous, restricted, and prohibited wastes. Ability to learn safety rules pertaining to the operations of heavy equipment, vehicles, and work zone traffic control for various activities. Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the public and other employees. Ability to learn and apply principles and processes for providing customer service.

Ability to work in all weather, environmental conditions (i.e.: sun, rain, cold, swamp, ditches, dust, and dirt) and all terrains for extended periods of time. Must be able to use proper personal protective equipment (dust masks, earplugs, safety harness, respirators, etc.) to safely work with and be exposed to chemicals, hazardous materials, noises and heights. Ability to lift, carry and handle up to 50 pounds; stoop, climb, squat, push, pull, crawl or bend on a frequent basis. Ability to walk, kneel, bend, twist, lift, climb ladders, and work on un-even surfaces, in landfill disposal areas, on 3:1 slope and in ditches/swales. Must be able to hear sounds at a normal level. Ability to see and recognize colors (associated with hazard placards or other warning signs), talk, ambulate independently, drive, and make written notations. Ability to use multi-hand and/or foot controls that require eye and hand coordination. Ability to perform mathematical tasks.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Must have a minimum of three (3) years of experience in the operation and routine maintenance of Transfer Station/landfill operations.

Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license (CDL Class A) or be able to secure a valid Florida driver’s license (CDL Class A) at the time of employment.

A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must obtain and maintain TREEO Center Landfill Operator Certification within 12 months of employment.

SPECIAL PREFERENCES

Private Industry Experience – landfills, transfer stations, collections, and recycling center.

This position may be required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County.

No Formal Education