Landfill Equipment Operator I

Landfill Equipment Operator I

Salary

$44,880.42 - $78,540.74 Annually

Location

12305 Billingsley Rd, Waldorf, MD 20602, MD

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2026-00193

Department

PW FACILITIES LANDFILL-FT

Opening Date

09/25/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary

The hiring salary for this position is $44,880.42 annually.

Open until filled with a best consideration date of October 9, 2026. This posting may close without notice.

Charles County Government is seeking a dynamic Landfill Equipment Operator to operate gasoline and diesel vehicles and equipment in a safe, efficient, and quality manner with a strong focus on customer service. Operator will perform work in accordance with permits and applicable codes, standards, regulations, policies, and procedures. this position will interact with, and physically assists, customers unloading vehicles; perform routine cleanup work as well as general and grounds maintenance at County convenience centers, citizen disposal area, landfill, and other remote sites; and operates waste disposal equipment and light to medium duty vehicles.

Essential Job Functions

DESCRIPTION OF CAREER LADDER SERIES

Landfill Equipment Operator I is the entry-level position of the career ladder series for Landfill Equipment Operators. After one (1) year of satisfactory conduct and performance as a Landfill Equipment Operator I, a Landfill Equipment Operator I that demonstrates technical proficiency, obtains a CDL Class B or higher, completes 30 hours of training related to landfill operations and equipment maintenance, and has a minimum of two (2) years equipment experience may be recommended for advancement by the Landfill Operations Supervisor and Landfill Operations Superintendent. The written recommendation must describe the type and quality of work performed by the Landfill Equipment Operator I that demonstrates the employee is capable to work as a Landfill Equipment Operator II. Concurrence of the written recommendation is required by the Chief of Environmental Resources.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Operates vehicles and equipment to include, but not be limited to, light to medium duty trucks, waste disposal equipment, zero turn mowers, tractors, articulated dump trucks, skid steers, loaders, mini excavators, dozers, rollers, and other equivalent vehicles and equipment at the County convenience centers, citizen disposal area, landfill, and other remote sites. Inspects vehicle or equipment for any safety or other concerns prior to operation. Documents inspections or concerns as required.
• Conducts work in a safe, efficient, and quality manner with a strong focus on customer service.
• Ensures all applicable codes, standards, regulations, policies, procedures, and permit requirements are followed. Ensures all haulers and public follow site rules and procedures.
• Inspects and verifies through physical observation the material requested to be disposed or recycled. Screens loads for prohibited waste. Rejects material that is unacceptable. Redirects haulers if materials in the load needs to be separated before unloading.
• Measures and monitors leachate levels.
• Assists Landfill Technicians and Equipment Operator III & IV with making repairs to stormwater, sediment, or erosion control systems at the landfill.
• Documents and records fuel usage, equipment hours, and tank readings in a clear, concise, and timely manner.
• Recognizes and reports safety and solid waste compliance concerns to coworkers and supervisory staff.
• Performs routine cleanup work, as well as general, custodial, and ground maintenance at County convenience centers, citizen disposal area, landfill, and other remote sites. Work may include, but is not limited to, picking up debris, cutting grass, raking leaves, shoveling snow, or cleaning solid waste vehicles.
• Participates in emergency response plans as assigned. Responds to emergencies for road conditions, weather events, and debris management to include the removal, staging, reduction, recycling, processing, and disposal of debris caused by a major debris-generating event.
• Communicates with scale house personnel regarding unacceptable loads and hauler noncompliance with landfill rules.
• Directs all incoming traffic to the correct disposal area based on vehicle type and material being disposed of or recycled.
• Assists customers by physically unloading and processing the customer's recycling and waste disposal in accordance with all safety and County regulations.
• Secures all buildings and areas at closing.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED). One (1) year of progressively responsible experience in operating medium to heavy duty vehicles and equipment, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Licenses or Certifications:

Must possess a valid driver's license.Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination conducted by a licensed medical examiner listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry is required.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION, AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING.

Weekend work is required.

Subject to call back in emergencies.

May serve in on-call duty on a rotational basis.

Work is subject to frequent interruptions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of codes, standards, regulations, and practices related to solid waste management.
• Knowledge of the design, use, maintenance, and repair of equipment, tools, and materials used in the work.
• Knowledge of traffic laws, rules, and regulations and safe driving practices.
• Knowledge of County and landfill policies and procedures, standard operational practices, and safety regulations.
• Knowledge of customer service and quality standards.
• Knowledge of basic office procedures, computers, and iPads.
• Ability understand and follow through on verbal instructions.
• Ability to make precisely coordinated movements and grasp or assemble small objects.
• Ability to perform grounds maintenance work.
• Ability to successfully communicate, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to actively listen to customers, coworkers, and supervisors.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Skill to identify symptoms of erosion, settlement, vectors, and litter and proficiently make repairs.
• Skill to safely operate vehicles, equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment.

Skill to prepare accurate records and reports.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is regularly active with periods of heavy exertion. The position requires employees to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 100 pounds; climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding; bend, kneel, crouch, and crawl; reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; feel the size, shape, and temperature of items; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, and to detect odors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a field setting with some work performed outside.

Employee may be exposed to environmental conditions and landfill hazards such as dirt, odors, noise, weather extremes, vehicle and equipment traffic, landfill gas, leachate, and refuse. Employee works in a team environment and must be willing to accept additional duties.

Department/Division: Public Works Facilities/Environmental Resources

Pay Grade: 107

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: No

Reports To: Landfill Operations Supervisor. May temporarily report to other supervisory personnel.

Supervises: None

Charles County Government

BENEFITS SUMMARY

www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/CharlesCountyMD

Health Insurance

Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.

Flexible Spending Account

Provides medical and dependent care options.

Supplemental Income Products

Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.

Long Term Disability Insurance

No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month.

Life Insurance

No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.

Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan - Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.

Deferred Compensation Plan

457(b) Governmental Plan - Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.

Employee Leave

• Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
• The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.

Transfer of Sick Leave

New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.

Work Schedules

• Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.

Additional Fringe Benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
• Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
• House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full-time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
• Free, Employee Wellness Programs
• Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)

Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2026

01

How many years of experience do you have relevant to this position? Please describe.

02

Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination conducted by a licensed medical examiner listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry is required.

• I acknowledge this is a requirement for this position.

03

The hiring salary for this position is $44,880.42 annually. Internal candidates selected for this position will receive a salary according to the county's promotional pay increase policy. Please confirm that you are acknowledging this is the salary for this position.

• I acknowledge this is the salary for this position.

04

The position you are applying for requires an acceptable driving record. The Charles County Government employee driving policy states that employees will be considered to have an acceptable driving record if ALL of the following statements are true: - I do not exceed a maximum of four (4) points on my driving record. - I do not have a suspended or revoked license. - I do not have a single motor vehicle violation, conviction, or plea of Nolo Contendere, or the acceptance of Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) involving the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, refusal to take an alcohol or drug test, or the misuse of legal over-the-counter medication for any of these violations. - I have not demonstrated a pattern of unsafe vehicle operation as evidenced by moving violations or single infraction of such severity (e.g., eluding a police officer; evading responsibility; failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, reckless driving, etc.). According to these guidelines, do you have an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

05

For the top candidate selected for this position, the next steps in the hiring process will include verification of employment history and reference checking. We will contact your current employer and two additional professional references following a conditional offer. We will also conduct a background check, driver record check and physical exam, if applicable, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening before a final offer is extended. Please confirm that you are acknowledging that if you are the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

• I confirm that I am acknowledging that if I am the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

06

Are you a federal employee recently affected by a layoff/reduction in force?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Charles County Government