Solid Waste Operator

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of the eighth grade and two years experience operating heavy and/or moderately complex equipment; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.

A valid State of Florida Class "A" Commercial Driver's License with air brakes and fifth wheel endorsement is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.  If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position. 

Satisfactory completion of a course in hazardous waste identification is required within the first 12 months of employment.

Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen & physical examination and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary

This is skilled work operating a variety of heavy equipment, roll-off trucks and semi-tractor trailers used in the daily operations of the Alachua County Transfer Station.

An employee in this classification is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of complex heavy equipment, conducting routine preventative maintenance on such equipment, performing manual tasks and assisting in the detection of hazardous materials.

Work is performed under the general direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
 
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Operates a variety of transfer station related heavy equipment including a grappler/tamper; skid steer loader/sweeper; yard tractor; front-end loader;  farm tractor, roll-off truck and a semi-tractor trailer.
Cleans transfer station floor as required.

Loads tires into a transfer trailer.

Maintains wood waste and mulch stockpiles.

Checks waste for hazardous and/or prohibited substances.

Performs routine and preventative maintenance on equipment to insure good working order.

Performs manual tasks as required.

Assists with the routine servicing of transfer station related vehicles and equipment.

Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform required duties. 

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions necessary in the operation of heavy equipment, roll-off trucks and semi-tractor trailers.

Knowledge of the operating and repair characteristics of heavy equipment, roll-off trucks and semi-tractor trailers.

Knowledge of the components parts, operating principles and maintenance requirements of heavy equipment and semi-tractor trailers.

Skill in operating an 80,000 pound vehicle with fifth wheel.

Skill in the operation of various types of heavy equipment, roll-off trucks and semi-tractor trailers.

Ability to service various types of equipment and perform minor repairs.

Ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions.

Ability to withstand temperature extremes and endure difficult working conditions.

Ability to recognize hazardous and/or prohibited substances brought into the site.

Ability to provide courteous and effective customer service to the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is frequently required to walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance; talk or hear.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts; works in high, precarious places, and is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles; outdoor weather conditions, and vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to risk of electrical shock. The employee occasionally works with explosives and is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua 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, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• 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 Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$38,480.00 Annually