Description

RECYCLING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
(2nd Shift)

Waste Commission of Scott County, Iowa

SALARY:

• $22.40 - $31.36 Hourly
• Salary advancement available 2x per year

SCHEDULE:

• Monday - Thursday, 3:00 PM - 1:30 AM

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

• May 24, 2026

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Scott County Area Recycling Center is seeking a dependable and safety-focused Equipment Operator to join our team. In this role, you'll operate essential equipment and support daily recycling operations while working alongside a dedicated team committed to making a meaningful impact in our community. Your efforts will help ensure materials are processed efficiently and responsibly, contributing to a more sustainable future.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Maintain, service, and operate light and medium Commission equipment, including all balers, forklift trucks, end loaders, and sorting equipment. Conduct cleaning, lubrication, and troubleshooting activities.
• Load, move, and sort recyclable materials and ensure proper placement and transport of materials to designated areas.
• Operate medium equipment, including end loaders, main facility baler, and recycling sorting equipment.
• Perform manual labor when necessary to conduct general site maintenance, including litter control, lawn maintenance, and snow removal.
• Responsible for facility bale quality in conjunction with other operators. Responsible for notifying the crew leader and shift supervisor if the sort line quality changes.
• Conducts facility and safety audits in conjunction with other operators.
• Collaborate with other staff to ensure smooth operations.
• Sort material on the recycling line, stockpiles, and load outbound semi-trailers. In coordination with the scale operator and shift supervisor, actively updates bales production and inventory.
• Ensure safety, environmental, and other best management practices are followed at all times on and off the sorting line.
• Perform general maintenance checks and assist with Commission equipment maintenance, including services, cleaning, lubrication, diagnosis, and repair. Maintain required service and repair records.
• Perform walk-around inspections of equipment for broken parts or leaks and check equipment fluid levels. Required to communicate observations and recommendations to appropriate personnel.
• Completed requried logs, checklists, and documentation related to equipment use, inspections, or material movement.
• Adheres to shop cleanliness, 5S organizational systems, and facility standard work procedures while maintaining a vision for continuous improvement.
• Perform other job-related duties as needed and/or assigned.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, & EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent AND the ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job.
• Prior experience in equipment operations and basic mechanical work is preferred.
• Must pass post-offer physical and background check.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Work policies, procedures, operations, and health and safety plans.
• Environmental Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) policy and what it means to the Commission. Understands how the position and job responsibilities impact the environment and what can be done to improve them. Recommends improvements to the EMS Core Team or Commission Management in cases where the authority does not reside within this position to make the improvements.
• Demonstrate understanding of the Commission's mission, vision, and values, and consistently apply them in daily activities and decision-making.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, officials, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees and customers to deliver instructions and resolve issues.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and policy and procedure manuals.
• Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions furnished in written, oral, and diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems including several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment.
• Ability to coordinate own actions with those of other workers / supervisors on a busy site.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Successful completion of forklift training and certification.
• Preferred certification in Red Cross CPR and safety training.
• Valid driver's license and possess a satisfactory driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk, and hear. Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell or taste.
• 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.
• Must follow Commission safety protocols for lifting in excess of 50 pounds, including but not limited to team lifting techniques.
• Regularly required to utilize personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, a hard hat, safety shoes, hearing protection, gloves, and protective clothing.
• Requires good spatial perception and manual dexterity.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to perform work outdoors year-round with exposure to weather conditions prevalent at the time.
• Routine exposure to vibration and loud background noise.
• Frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. Occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; work in high, precarious places; risk of electric shock; and extreme heat (non-weather).
• Occasional non-regular work hours.

This position is a hands-on role that requires responsibility for safe equipment operation, careful record-keeping, and teamwork. The successful candidate will be proactive about facility safety and environmental performance and will help drive continuous improvement in daily operations.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Salary/Compensation: $22.40 - $31.36 per hour