Equipment Operator

Vacancy Announcement 

We are accepting applications for:  Equipment Operator
Date Posted:  August 19, 2024
Closing Date: Open until filled. First review of applications is September 16, 2024.                

About the Position and Department:  An Equipment Operator performs work at the Coral Creek Landfill and Container Site. These sites support the environmental health and safety of our community in the disposal of solid waste. This position is under the supervision of our Manager of Landfill Operations.

We offer progressive wages starting at 27.59 per hour!

Position Overview:  This position performs a variety of tasks in support of the daily operations of the landfill and container sites including operation of heavy equipment and performing manual labor.

Required Education and Experience:  Employment with Fallon County requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and possess a valid Montana Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and current medical examiner’s certificate. One (1) year of heavy equipment experience including operation of front-end loader is required.

Preferred Education and Experience: Previous experience operating a scraper is preferred.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications: This position must possess a Montana Class B Commercial Driver License and is subject to   pre-employment controlled substance testing and a pre-employment motor vehicle driving history review. Upon employment, this position will undergo random, on-going alcohol and controlled substance testing and an annual motor vehicle driving history review.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse:
Fallon County is committed to adhering to all Federal and State statutes and regulations; we have therefore registered as an employer with the FMCSA Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse). In fulfilling our requirements as an employer, all applicants whose position requires a Commercial Driver License (CDL) must be a registered driver in the Clearinghouse and consent to a pre-employment query of the Clearinghouse.

Benefits:
We are proud to offer an excellent benefit package to our employees including health insurance, ten (10) paid holidays per calendar year, sick leave, vacation leave, and an Employee Assistance Program. This position requires enrollment in the Public Employees Retirement System with an established contribution rate for both the employee and the County.

This position is eligible to receive a safety reimbursement up to $200.00 for safety-toe boots and/or safety glasses per Fallon County policy requirements.

Applicant Pool Statement:  If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

How to Apply:  Applications and a complete job description are available at the Human Resources office, 10 W. Fallon Avenue, Baker, Montana or online at www.falloncountymt.gov You may submit your application online; via mail to: Human Resources Manager, PO Box 846, Baker, Montana, 59313; email to straubj@falloncounty.net; or stop by the Human Resources office in the Courthouse. Questions may be directed to Jeff Frank 406-978-2734 or Julie Straub 406-778-8164.

Fallon County Job Description
Fallon County is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to affirmative recruitment, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, age, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Human Resources.

Job Overview
This position supports the daily operations of the landfill site by operating heavy equipment to ensure proper disposal and cover of all incoming solid waste while conforming to federal, state, and local laws. Assists with weighing loads and directing parties to appropriate dumping sites. Participates in maintaining a clean and orderly landfill, surrounding area, and office which may involve extensive manual labor in a variety of weather conditions. Alternates working at the Coral Creek Container Site on Wednesday and Saturday. 

Essential Functions
Waste Disposal and Cover – Operates a variety of heavy equipment including scraper, loader, dozer, dump truck, and compactor to properly dispose of and cover incoming solid waste. Utilizes the loader to push garbage within designated cells and prepare for compaction to accommodate future loads. Operates compactor to prepare for cover dirt. Ensures waste is placed in proper area of cell and fill to proper elevations. Fills and compacts waste in proper areas to reach correct elevations. Operates scraper to excavate cover from designated areas, ensuring adequate supply of cover is available. Drives dump truck within the grounds of the facility to move dirt as necessary. Maintains slopes according to the landfill plan and Montana Department of Environmental Quality Rules and Regulations. Performs incoming load inspections as necessary. Maintains communication with Landfill Manager regarding safety issues.

Maintenance of Equipment – Performs maintenance on equipment to prevent breakdown or deterioration:  change oil, check tire pressure, lubricate parts, wash and perform walk around inspections. Ensures clean and safe workspace by performing general cleaning duties such as sweeping shop; organizes and cleans tools. 

Site Maintenance – Performs general cleaning tasks, including but not limited to daily sweeping, mopping, and dusting to ensure the office and restrooms are clean and orderly. This position participates with ongoing outside labor to gather, secure, and remove litter/garbage materials from the immediate containment site and surrounding property to ensure site is free of debris; utilizes equipment including but not limited to a Mule. Utilizes a brush chipper to mulch tree limbs and wood pallets.

Customer Service/Weigh Master – Assists as necessary weighing all incoming loads and generating weigh tickets via Waste Works software. Directs drivers and/or other customers to appropriate dumping sites. Answers the telephone and greets customers, providing information on site procedures. Ensures dumping procedures adhere to landfill rules and regulations by maintaining communication with Landfill Manager, other operators, drivers, and other members of the public via established and accessible written materials. 

Container Site – Directs drivers and/or other customers to appropriate dumping sites within the Container Site. Greets customers, providing information on site procedures. Performs general cleaning tasks, including but not limited to sweeping, mopping, and dusting to ensure the hut is clean and orderly. Ensures the site is free of debris; this involves walking of the perimeter fence, the entry road, and the area around the containers to gather, secure, and remove litter/garbage materials. This position is responsible for ensuring safety signage is clean and visible. Confirms security cameras are present and operational. Performs groundskeeping such as weed control and removal. Maintains communication with the Manager of Landfill Operations regarding container capacity and safety issues.

Competencies
The knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics to perform this work include but are not necessarily limited to: The knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics to perform this work include but are not necessarily limited to:  Active Listening, Adaptability, Attention to Detail, Dependability, Customer Service, DEQ Regulations, Flexibility, Initiative, Integrity, Interpersonal Relationships, Mechanical Abilities, Operation of Heavy Equipment, Oral Comprehension, Oral & Written Expression, Problem Solving, Professionalism, Routine Manual Labor, Safe Work Practices, Self-Direction, and Teamwork.
This position requires the knowledge, skill, and ability to operate a variety of heavy equipment in a safe manner. Ability to comprehend and apply general knowledge of Montana Department of Environmental Quality Rules and Regulations on solid waste disposal. Attention to detail when operating equipment, welding, and using tools. This position requires knowledge of routine manual labor including the use of shovels and other tools as provided to gather, secure, and remove litter/garbage throughout the sites. Knowledge of basic tools including purpose, repair, and maintenance. Operation of specialized equipment including but not limited to a Mule. Attention to detail when operating equipment and using tools. Adhere to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the County and various regulatory agencies. Integrate safe work practices and uses required PPE in all tasks. Maintain a clean and orderly workplace. Ability and willingness to demonstrate dependability and reliability to ensure continuity of services for the department. Promote a positive image of the Landfill to the public in a professional manner through effective communication, quality service, and a neat/clean professional appearance.

Possess excellent customer service and interpersonal skills to resolve questions and concerns using good judgment and discretion. Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Must listen actively to ensure effective and correct communication; able to interact with variety of personalities and the demands of the public. Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Respond to requests for service and assistance with courtesy and respect. As part of our workforce, maintains consistent communication with all County employees, our customers/patrons, and the public via County owned communication systems including but not limited to email, office phone, work cell phone, text, and SMS/IM.

Maintain an enthusiastic, self-reliant, and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Must strive to anticipate work to be done and initiate proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction. Able to adapt to changing work routines and demands. Ability to follow instructions, respond to management direction, and take accountability for own actions. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Fallon County employees and staff from outside agencies. Must work as team member for the betterment of the Solid Waste department and Fallon County.

Safety
Safety is a primary duty and a personal responsibility. County employees are responsible for reading, understanding and following safety rules and procedures as identified within County Policy, our Safety Program as well as at each department/work location/JSA. This position is responsible for wearing PPE as identified in the JSA or when working in areas where there is danger of injury. Responsible for wearing suitable work clothes as determined by the Manager of Landfill Operations. Reports all injuries, hazards and/or near misses utilizing established reporting forms and procedures. Knows the location of first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and other safety devices. Attends all safety meetings including annual training. This position will not perform potentially hazardous tasks or use any hazardous material until properly trained.

Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment
This position performs work in operation of a variety of equipment, the shop, container site hut, as well as outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Exposed to a variety of allergens.

Required Education and Experience
Employment with Fallon County requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and possess a valid Montana Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and current medical examiner’s certificate. One (1) year of heavy equipment experience including operation of front-end loader is required.

The Equipment Operator is responsible for providing his/her transportation to and from the work site. Work appropriate attire required: denim or similar pants, safety-toe boots, short or long-sleeved shirt. An exception may be made for the Container Site during hot weather.

Preferred Education and Experience
Previous experience operating a scraper is preferred. 

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
This position must possess a Montana Class B Commercial Driver License and is subject to   pre-employment controlled substance testing and a pre-employment motor vehicle driving history review. Upon employment, this position will undergo random, on-going alcohol and controlled substance testing and an annual motor vehicle driving history review.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
Fallon County is committed to adhering to all Federal and State statutes and regulations; we have therefore registered as an employer with the FMCSA Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse). In fulfilling our requirements as an employer, all applicants whose position requires a Commercial Driver License (CDL) must be a registered driver in the Clearinghouse and consent to a pre-employment query of the Clearinghouse.

Compensation
Our Fiscal Year 2024-2025 compensation schedule for an Equipment Operator (with a CDL) is as follows:
Equipment Operator (at hire) $27.59
Equipment Operator 1 (completion of year 1) $28.20
Equipment Operator 2 (completion of year 2) $28.81
Equipment Operator 3 (completion of year 3) $29.42
Equipment Operator 4 (completion of year 4) $30.04
Equipment Operator 5 (completion of year 5) $30.65

This schedule is reflective of and will be adjusted for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment as approved by the Fallon County Commission.

After completion of the first year of employment, an employee becomes eligible to receive Longevity. Longevity is $0.15 per hour every year, with $0.25 per hour every five years.

Benefits
We are proud to offer an excellent benefit package to our employees including health insurance, ten (10) paid holidays per calendar year, sick leave, vacation leave, and an Employee Assistance Program. This position requires enrollment in the Public Employees Retirement System with an established contribution rate for both the employee and the County.

This position is eligible to receive a safety reimbursement up to $200.00 for safety-toe boots and/or safety glasses per Fallon County policy requirements.

Position Type/Hours of Work
This full-time position works forty (40) hours per week, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday with a thirty (30) minute lunch. When working at the Container Site on Wednesday or Saturday, the hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a working lunch. Providing coverage at the Container Site may result in overtime (in excess of forty (40) hours per week in accordance with Fallon County policy) and will be compensated at time and a half.

 Physical and Environmental Demands
While performing the essential functions of this position, frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, climb or balance, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, speak and hear. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. This position will work variety of g conditions, including sitting for extended periods, walking on outside terrain, and working in inclement weather (heat and cold). May be required to lift up to fifty (50) pounds.

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully; employees are routinely required to address emerging employer requirements in alignment with individual work units and assignments of jobs which may result in additional or a change in duties/functions not identified. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee; it is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer change.