Heavy Equipment Operator

Posting number: 2026-71

Department: Dougherty County Solid Waste

Job classification: Heavy Equipment Operator I

Posting type: Open

Categories: Waste Management, Miscellaneous

Summary

The Dougherty County Solid Waste department is hiring for a Heavy Equipment Operator. The purpose of this position is to operate heavy equipment and trucks necessary for maintenance of grounds, buildings, and roads. Responsible for operating backhoes and bulldozers, loading and packing dirt, operating drag-line crane, clearing land, and constructing roads. This class works under close to general supervision according to set procedures but determines how or when to complete tasks.

Examples of duties

• Reviews daily assignments to plan most effective methods for completion; inspects equipment thoroughly before use. • Operates heavy equipment in a safe and effective manner to minimize the risk of injury, property damage or loss of life. • Operates heavy equipment such as landfill compactor, backhoes, bulldozers, track loaders, earth movers, dump trucks, motor graders, drag-line cranes, front-end loaders and/or tractors, and any other heavy equipment to assure the facility is properly maintained. • Moves, compacts, and buries the off-loaded solid waste as it is delivered to the landfill on a continuous basis. • Excavates, fills, compacts, and moves dirt and other materials, and operates trucks to haul solid waste from the residential drop-off area to the landfill working face. • Maintain and repair road surfaces to assure and provide a safe and efficient roadway system. • Clears and prepares landscapes for forging of manholes, pipe laying, and other construction projects. • Constructs roads with crew members by cutting slopes, pulling ditches, laying blue top on road, clipping shoulders, and maintaining right-of-way. • Mows rights-of-way, canals and ditches. • Maintains roads, canal right-of-way, ditches; assists with driveway installations. • Loads and packs dirt and other heavy materials. • Performs minor preventive maintenance, inspections, and repair on equipment as necessary, and/or prepares machines for major servicing; may be responsible for repairing and maintaining crane equipment. • Performs related work as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent. • Two (2) years of experience operating heavy equipment or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience

Supplemental information

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement. • Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a dump truck, front-end loader, tractor, backhoe, boring machine, small truck, jackhammer, gas-powered saw, mechanic tools, power tools, etc. Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials. This position requires: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motion. May be exposed to such elements as diseases, toxic chemicals, raw sewage, inclement weather and high-pressure unregulated water flows. Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those of heavy work. Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment): Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken. • Involves routine and frequent exposure to: o Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen. o Extreme heat and/or cold; Wet or humid conditions. o Extreme noise levels, Animals/wildlife. Special Certifications And Licenses: • Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history. PLEASE PROVIDE COPIES OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT, DRIVER’S LICENSE, DEGREE(S) AND/OR CERTIFICATE(S). RESUMES ARE RECOMMENDED AS PART OF YOUR APPLICATION BUT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF A COMPLETED APPLICATION. Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance: Dougherty County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. Standard Clauses: May be required to work nights, weekends and holidays to meet the business needs of the County. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. Essential Safety Functions: It is the responsibility of each employee to