What are the responsibilities and job description for the Heavy Equipment Operator - Solid Waste Division position at City of St. Cloud?

Make an impact. Move our community forward.

The City is seeking a skilled and safety-focused Heavy Equipment Operator to join our Solid Waste Division. This position plays a critical role in keeping our community clean, safe, and operating efficiently by working alongside our Driver/Collector team and supporting daily operations at the Solid Waste Transfer Station.

The Heavy Equipment Operator serves as the primary operator responsible for active tipping floor operations and the Construction & Demolition (C&D) material pile. This role operates high-capacity equipment, including front loaders and other specialized heavy equipment, while maintaining constant awareness of site hazards, traffic, commercial haulers, and changing floor conditions.

We’re looking for someone who demonstrates the City's values every day:

Accountability – Prioritizes safety, follows procedures, and takes responsibility for the work.
Empowerment – Uses sound judgment and takes initiative to keep operations moving safely and efficiently.
Innovation – Looks for ways to improve processes, productivity, and service delivery.
Ownership – Takes pride in the work and understands the important role Solid Waste plays in our community.

This position requires specialized training, strong operational judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to remain vigilant in a fast-paced, safety-critical environment. Prior experience operating heavy-duty equipment is preferred.

Schedule: Hours may vary based on business needs but typically begin as early as 4:00 a.m. and end no later than 6:00 p.m. Employees may be required to work until assigned routes or tasks are completed; no shift will exceed 12 hours. A one-hour unpaid lunch break is included.

Important: Driver/Collector – Sanitation and Heavy Equipment positions are considered interchangeable based on the operational needs of the City. Employees may be assigned duties across both classifications to support efficient and reliable service to our community.

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

Serve as the primary person for working material distribution, floor capacity, and operational safety on the active tipping floor and C&D pile.
Operate excavator with grappler claw and other attachments and Solid Waste Wheel Loaders, or its equivalent, skid steers, dozers, forklifts, and related site equipment. May be required to drive collection vehicles to meet operational demands.
Direct vehicular traffic within assigned tipping and dumping areas to ensure smooth operational flow and prevent floor congestion.
Perform daily equipment inspection, routine preventive maintenance, cleaning, and minor field adjustments.
Maintain assigned work areas in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
Assist in preparing the facility for daily opening, shift changes, and secure shutdown procedures.
Perform related work as assigned.

Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent supplemented by three (3) years of experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Must obtain and maintain Transfer Station Operators and Materials Recovery Facilities Cert within 6 months from hire date.; OSHA 10-Hour Construction; OSHA-Aligned Heavy Equipment Operator; Forklift Operator, FEMA 100, 200, & 700; and CPR and First Aid certifications within 330 days of employment.
Must possess and maintain a valid FL State Driver's License Class "A" with NO Restrictions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of safe operation, limitations, inspection, and routine care of loaders, excavators, skid steers, dozers, forklifts, trucks, truck-and-trailer combinations, and related equipment. Ability to recognize hazards, mechanical problems, unstable loads, overhead obstructions, blind spots, pedestrian traffic, and changing surface conditions. Ability to follow oral and written instructions, communicate by radio, work cooperatively, maintain accurate records, and respond appropriately to emergencies.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, climb into and out of equipment, sit for extended periods, use hands and feet to operate controls, reach, bend, and communicate.

The employee must routinely lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 100 pounds with assistance or appropriate equipment. Required vision includes close, distance, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Mathematics

Ability to perform basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division and to apply measurements involving weight, volume, distance, time, and material quantities.

Language Ability

Ability to read and understand safety rules, equipment manuals, warning labels, work orders, and written procedures. Ability to complete routine forms and logs and communicate clearly with supervisors, coworkers, drivers, customers, and emergency personnel.

Reasoning

Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out written and oral instructions, make safe operating decisions, select appropriate equipment, and address practical problems involving changing site, weather, traffic, material, and equipment conditions.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily outdoors and inside transfer-station or material-processing areas. The employee is regularly exposed to heat, cold, rain, dust, odors, noise, vibration, moving equipment, uneven surfaces, airborne particles, waste materials, and vehicle traffic. The employee may work near compactors, transfer trailers, roll-off containers, excavations, elevated areas, and confined or restricted spaces. Required personal protective equipment must be worn. Work may include early mornings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergency assignments based on operational needs.

Salary : $22 - $33

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Heavy Equipment Operator - Solid Waste Division

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