Senior Solid Waste Equipment Operator

Larimer County
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • $34.90–$41.87 Per Hour
7 days ago

Job Description

Senior Solid Waste Equipment Operator

Salary

$34.90 - $41.87 Hourly

Location

FC 5887 S Taft Hill Bld A, CO

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

202600404

Department

Solid Waste

Opening Date

10/29/2026

Closing Date

11/16/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Full/Part Time

Full Time

  • Description
  • Benefits
  • Questions

Overview

Larimer County Solid Waste is seeking a motivated, safety conscious, and dependable Loader Operator to join our team at our new, modern solid waste transfer station!

This position plays an essential role in maintaining safe and efficient daily operations by operating a Volvo L150 or comparable size wheel loader to process waste and load tractor trailers for transport to the landfill. The ideal candidate will have experience operating large wheel loaders, using onboard weighing systems, and applying proper trailer loading techniques to maximize legal payloads while ensuring safe axle weight distribution.

Additional responsibilities include maintaining an organized tipping floor, conducting daily equipment inspections, and coordinating with drivers and team members to support smooth and efficient operations.

We are seeking a dependable, safety minded individual who takes pride in maintaining their equipment, values teamwork, and is committed to operational efficiency, accountability, and continuous improvement as part of a growing operation.

This position requires working rotating day shifts and rotating weekends as assigned. Mandatory overtime, including extended shifts and additional workdays, may be required based on operational needs, Employees must be available to work assigned schedules and required overtime, in accordance with applicable hours-of-service and safety regulations.

To learn more visit - https://www.larimer.gov/solidwaste.

Responsibilities

What youll be doing:

  • Safely and efficiently operate Volvo L150 or comparable-size wheel loaders in a high-volume solid waste transfer station, including loading transfer trailers, managing waste piles, and maintaining operational productivity.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using wheel loader onboard weighing systems to accurately measure and monitor payloads, ensuring transfer trailers are loaded within established weight limits.
  • Properly position and distribute material within transfer trailers to achieve maximum legal payloads while maintaining compliance with gross vehicle weight, axle weight, and safe load distribution requirements.
  • Maintain an organized tipping floor, efficiently consolidate and stage incoming waste, and support timely loading of transfer trucks to minimize downtime and maintain daily throughput goals.
  • Perform daily pre-operation inspections, monitor equipment performance, identify mechanical concerns, and coordinate routine maintenance to ensure safe, reliable equipment operation.
  • Follow established safety procedures, maintain awareness of truck and customer traffic, communicate with drivers and ground personnel, and comply with applicable environmental and operational requirements.
  • Coordinate with transfer station management, truck drivers, and fellow operators to achieve daily hauling goals, maintain accurate loading practices, and support continuous improvement in productivity and safety. We have a Bomag 473 compactor that process waste in the transfer and other small support equipment that the successful candidate will be required to operate as needed.

To view the full job description, visit - https://www.larimer.gov/hr/careers/job-descriptions#/app/detail/Senior_Landfill_Equipment_Operator.

What were looking for:

  • General office practices and procedures.
  • Routine software and business applications including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
  • Read and comprehend department and County rules, regulations, policies, and standard operating procedures.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community.
  • Regular, predictable attendance.
  • Operation and maintenance of a variety of heavy power-driven equipment.

Qualifications

All candidates will be screened for the following required minimum qualifications. Any candidate who does not meet all of the qualifications listed as required will be eliminated from the process.

  • Three (3) years of experience in a directly related field or in the performance of similar duties and responsibilities required.
  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Possession of a valid Drivers License by date of hire required
  • Possession of a valid CDL preferred.

Benefits

Here's what Larimer County offers for all Regular, Limited Term, and Appointed positions:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
  • FSA or HSA (depending on the medical plan)
  • Short- and Long-Term Disability
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Basic Life/AD&D Insurance
  • Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
  • Retirement Plan 401(a) with employer match
  • 457(b) Deferred Compensation
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays

Want to dive into the details? Check out Larimer Countys Benefits. https://www.larimer.gov/hr/benefits.

Supplemental Information

An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of required pre-employment checks or testing.

All application components must be submitted by 11:59 PM MT on the closing date listed.

Larimer County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment in all employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law or regulation.

For all temporary positions, sick leave and our Employee Assistance Program are available and other benefits may be available.

Larimer County offers the following for all Regular/Limited Term positions:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts / Health Savings Account
  • Short and Long Term Disability.
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Basic Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment
  • Accident Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Retirement Plan 401(a) with employer match.
  • 457(b) Deferred Compensation.
  • Paid time off including vacation, sick and holidays.

Click here to view information on Larimer Countys Benefits.

01

Please choose one of the Larimer County guiding principles listed that you feel most applies to you and this position - Larimer County will add value to the lives of its citizens today and in the future by:

  • Being good stewards of public resources.
  • Promoting innovation, adaptability, and committing to continuous improvement.
  • Providing consistent quality customer service.
  • Empowering people to take responsibility.
  • Cultivating collaborative partnerships.
  • Being a fulfilling, respectful, and enjoyable place to work.

02

Based on your choice in the previous question, describe how you would apply this guiding principle in this position.

03

Are you a current or previous employee of Larimer County?

  • Yes
  • No

04

Do you possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid drivers license by date of hire?

  • Yes
  • No

05

Do you currently have a High School diploma or GED?

  • Yes
  • No

06

Do you have three (3) years of experience in a directly related field or in the performance of similar duties and responsibilities?

  • Yes
  • No

07

Do you have possession of a valid CDL?

  • Yes
  • No

08

Describe your experience operating wheel loaders or other heavy equipment. What types and sizes of equipment have you operated, and what were your primary responsibilities?

09

Tell us about your experience loading trucks, trailers, or other hauling equipment. How have you approached proper load placement, weight distribution, or the use of onboard weighing systems?

10

Our transfer station serves both commercial haulers and the general public. How would you approach operating heavy equipment in an environment where customers, vehicles, and pedestrians may be present?

11

Describe a situation where you identified a potential safety concern while operating equipment or working around others. What actions did you take, and what did you learn?

  • Yes
  • No

12

Walk us through how you would prepare a wheel loader for your daily shift. What would you look for during an equipment inspection, and how would you handle a mechanical concern?

13

Our loader operators work closely with truck drivers, scale attendants, ground personnel, and supervisors. Describe how you communicate and coordinate with others to keep operations running safely and efficiently.

14

Our transfer station is a newer operation with evolving procedures, equipment technology, and performance expectations. How do you approach learning new processes, receiving feedback, and adjusting to changes in daily operations?

Required Question

Employer Larimer County

Numbers & Facts

LocationFort Collins, CO
Salary$34.90–$41.87 Per Hour

Skills

  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)unmatched
  • CDL Driver's Licenseunmatched
  • Communication Skillsunmatched
  • Compactorunmatched
  • Continuous Improvementunmatched
  • Customer Support/Serviceunmatched
  • Driver's Licenseunmatched
  • Employee Assistance Planunmatched
  • Environmental Complianceunmatched
  • Equipment Maintenance/Repairunmatched
  • Flexible Spending Accountsunmatched
  • Health Planunmatched
  • Heavy Equipment/Vehiclesunmatched
  • High School Diplomaunmatched
  • Insuranceunmatched
  • Legalunmatched
  • Loading/Unloadingunmatched
  • Maintain Complianceunmatched
  • Operational Strategyunmatched
  • Operationsunmatched
  • Operations Processesunmatched
  • Organizational Skillsunmatched
  • Performance Analysisunmatched
  • Presentation Softwareunmatched
  • Procedure Developmentunmatched
  • Productivity Managementunmatched
  • Regulationsunmatched
  • Safety Processunmatched
  • Spreadsheetsunmatched
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)unmatched
  • Team Playerunmatched
  • Time Managementunmatched
  • Truck Driverunmatched
  • Waste/Garbage/Recycle Collectionunmatched
  • Wheel/Front-End Loaderunmatched
  • Word Processingunmatched

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