Equipment Operator - Landfill
Salary
$28.84 - $36.10 Hourly
Location
Grand Island, NE
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
0238-0926
Department
Public Works
Division
Solid Waste
Opening Date
09/30/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
Description
Operate a variety of equipment in the operations, maintenance and construction of landfill, transfer station, and related facilities; and assist in the performance of semi-skilled and skilled tasks required for operation, maintenance and construction purposes.
Salary for position is effective October 4, 2026.
Essential Functions
Regular attendance that is punctual and dependable is required.
Display honest, trustworthy, and ethical behavior when dealing with internal and external customers.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Operate equipment such as front-end loaders, motor graders, landfill compactors, earth moving scrapers, bulldozers, snowplows, sand trucks, dump trucks, backhoes, box blades, trenchers, bucket trucks, brush-hogs, tractors with various attachments, semi tank trucks, end dump trailers, tractors with compost spreaders, forklifts and other related maintenance construction equipment.
Perform operation, maintenance and construction activities associated with solid waste disposal.
Assist with ice and snow removal.
May assist with cleaning, maintenance or repairing of fences, drainage structures, buildings and related structures.
May assist with operation and maintenance of leachate collection system.
Handle and dispose of special or hazardous wastes in accordance with related regulations.
May assist in compiling and maintaining various records regarding assigned work; file associated reports including those involving solid waste disposal.
Perform a variety of routine repair and maintenance tasks on equipment and tools.
May mow, trim trees, maintain municipal facilities and use a variety of equipment in the maintenance of landfill and transfer station.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Safe work practices and proper use of safety equipment.
Uses and purposes of general construction tools and equipment.
Traffic laws, ordinances and rules applicable to truck and equipment operations.
Methods, techniques and safety practices used in assigned area of responsibility.
Common hazards and safety precautions necessary for equipment operation.
City policies and procedures in assigned area of public facility maintenance and construction.
Operational characteristics of equipment used in assigned area of responsibility.
Purposes and uses of a variety of vehicles, equipment, power tools and hand tools including motorized, pneumatic and hydraulic equipment.
Properties of backfill materials, construction materials, concrete, asphalt, hot patch, cold patch, oils, paints and a variety of other materials used in maintenance work.
Ability to:
Operate a variety of maintenance and construction equipment.
Provide training and guidance to less experienced staff.
Perform semi-skilled and skilled tasks in operation, maintenance and construction work in assigned area of responsibility.
Operate a variety of solid waste disposal, road maintenance and snow removal equipment.
Perform heavy manual labor for extended periods often under severe weather conditions.
Work safely and adhere to principles of safety in any work environment.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Perform basic computer skills to access email, read instructional material, and operate the scale house, if necessary.
Learn and correctly operate the GPS displays installed in the equipment.
Supplemental Information
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
At least one year of experience in the operation of any type of medium to heavy equipment.
Training:
Formal or informal education or training which ensures the ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance.
License or Certification:
Employee must possess a valid driver's license and maintain insurability as determined by the City's insurance carrier. Click here to view our driver eligibility requirements.
Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, an appropriate, valid Class A commercial driver's license.
Salary:
Position will start at the entry level of the Citys salary table. Consideration may be given if experience exceeds entry level qualifications.
Salary:
Position will start at the entry level of the Citys salary table. Consideration may be given if experience exceeds entry level qualifications.
Working Hours:
Rotating through a 3-week schedule cycle as follows:
Additionally, each operator will work 7:00 AM - 12:30 PM every 4th Saturday (once per month). There will also be some scheduled extra call out time as the needs of the department changes.
Other:
Candidates are subject to a background check.
Rates Effective January 1, 2026 and are subject to change.
This is a general guide for the purpose of informing all new employees of benefits. Coverage for all benefits, with the exception of the retirement savings plan, is effective the first of the month following one full calendar month of full time employment. Payroll deduction will begin in the month prior to the effective date of coverage. The retirement savings plan is effective on the first day of employment.
HEALTH INSURANCE: Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage provided to the employee and dependents. There are two options: a Qualified High Deductible Plan with an HSA, or a Traditional PPO plan. If your spouse is eligible for coverage on their employers group health plan, spousal coverage with the City is not available.
The semi-monthly premiums for the High Deductible Plan: ($3400/$5900 deductible)
The semi-monthly premiums for the Traditional PPO Plan: ($1000/$2000 deductible)
DENTAL INSURANCE: Delta Dental coverage provided to employee and dependents. The employee is responsible for a portion of the premium. $5.31 for Single, $10.49 for Emp. 2/4 or $21.78 for Family semi-monthly
VISION INSURANCE: EyeMed Vision coverage is available to employees and dependents. The employee is responsible for the full premium. Employee only - $7.09; Employee/Spouse - $13.88; Employee/Children - $14.61; Family - $21.48. All rates are monthly payroll deductions.
LIFE INSURANCE: Securian/Ochs Life Insurance coverage provided for employee ($50,000), spouse ($10,000), and dependents ($5,000 each), with premiums paid by the City. Supplemental life insurance available for employee and dependents through payroll deduction.
RETIREMENT PLAN: Mandatory Ameritas Retirement Plan - 6.5% of gross earnings matched by the City. Effective on date of employment. Four year vesting schedule. Voluntary after-tax contributions up to 10% - not matched by City.
DEFERRED COMP: Five optional Deferred Compensation Plans which allow pre-tax contributions up to $23,500/yr.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY: CIGNA - LTD provided for employee. Pays a portion (60%, maximum of $8500 per month) of employees salary should he/she becomes disabled.
CAFETERIA/125 PLAN: Optional participation by the employee. Can be used for medical expenses, non-employer sponsored premiums and/or dependent daycare.
VEBA PLAN (HRA): MidAmerica. Health reimbursement plan to be used for post-employment medical expenses. Contributions of $50 per pay period are made by the City.
PAID VACATION: Vacation leave is earned and accrued in bi-weekly increments in the following manner: 80 hours in the first year; 96 hours in years 2-4; 120 hours in years 5-6; 128 hours in years 7-8; 136 hours in years 9-10; 144 hours in years 11-12; 152 hours in year 13; 160 hours in years 14-19; 180 hours in years 20-24; 200 hours in year 25 and beyond. No vacation can be used during introductory period.
PAID HOLIDAYS: Ten paid holidays and two personal holidays.
MEDICAL LEAVE: Accrual of 9 hours for each full calendar month of service cumulative to 1,250 hours.
01
The information provided to these Supplemental Questions will be used in combination with the employment application to determine whether candidates meet the qualification requirements and/or the final score. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in the application being rejected or receiving a lower score. Please do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected or my receiving a lower examination score. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions. However, I may attach a resume to the application to provide additional information.
02
Please detail any relevant experience to this position.
03
Describe your experience operating heavy machinery and equipment.
04
I understand I must maintain a valid drivers license and maintain insurability as determined by the Citys insurance carrier.
05
Have you had any minor or major driving violations within the last 3 years. Please review to the job posting for the list of guidelines under the license and certification section.
06
Do you possess a valid Class A commercial drivers license?
07
Equipment Operators work a rotating schedule including days and weekends and holidays. I understand that if offered this position, I will be required to work a rotating schedule.
08
Candidates offered employment will be subject to a pre-employment/post-offer physical and drug screen. Do you understand the requirement?
Required Question
Employer City of Grand Island
Address 100 East 1st Street
P O Box 1968
Grand Island, Nebraska, 68801
Phone 308-389-0190
Website http://www.grand-island.com/jobs
| Location | Grand Island, NE |
| Salary | $28.84–$36.10 Per Hour |
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