Job Description

Job Posting End Date:

08-13-2026

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

This is a technical field position with an emphasis on specialized heavy equipment operation at the Marathon County Solid Waste Department, 172900 State Hwy. 29, Ringle, WI. Employee will perform duties to support the efficient, effective, and safe operation of the Marathon County Solid Waste Department, its landfills, management of ancillary structures (leachate collection, gas collection, stormwater system, roadways), and operation of multiple solid waste and recycling programs. Many aspects of the work are guided by the requirements of state and federal laws relating to landfill operation and the department's Plan of Operation. Primary duties include operating heavy equipment to complete waste compaction, road construction, rough excavation, cover operation, grading work to final elevations, and other related duties.

This position will be responsible for operating all heavy machinery in and around the solid waste facility. Heavy equipment operator must have a high level of understanding of physics, geometry, and mathematics to properly operate and build structures, roadways, and grades. Machinery is used to compact waste materials into drivable surfaces that will be traveled on by semis weighing up to 150,000 pounds. This position is also responsible for assisting with monitoring all equipment performance, tracking equipment maintenance, managing parts inventories, and conducting small-to-medium preventative and breakdown maintenance. This position will also be responsible for conducting all related construction work, including performing excavation, grading, and site restoration.

Examples of Work Performed:

The following duties are typical of this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.

• Operates heavy equipment in landfill, primarily a 60 ton landfill compactor, to crush, spread, and place waste in lifts in order to achieve compaction and meeting driving surface requirements for up to 200 commercial waste hauling vehicles each day.
• Manages incoming rates up to 1500 tons per day or 250 trucks per day.
• Coordinates up to 15 customers at a time for proper disposal and safe unloading.
• Provides detailed training on the entire landfill operation to new staff and works directly with new operators to teach necessary skills to function as part of the team.
• Coordinates all disposal activity to effectively route and control CDL drivers to the proper disposal locations within the landfill throughout the working day.
• Operator must have the ability to communicate with people of different languages, backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.
• Communicates with other operations staff, landfill scale, gas system specialist, EHS specialist, and operations manager to effectively manage the daily activities of the waste disposal process.
• Manages challenging waste streams such as sludge, asbestos, medical waste, carcasses, and industrial by-product.
• Conducts pre-operation inspections of landfill and operational equipment; fueling and greasing equipment when needed.
• Operates heavy equipment including landfill compactors, bulldozers, scrapers, excavators, off road haul truck, tractor trailer, water truck, skid steers, graders, and other related equipment.
• Heavy equipment work involves pushing, spreading, compacting, and managing the waste materials delivered for disposal into desired grades.
• Places waste in a way to achieve maximum compaction and establish a safe driving surface.
• Clearing the tipping deck of previously dumped waste without damaging surfaces.
• Maintains working area to keep customers from damaging equipment.
• Coordinates with safety and management to enforce safety codes.
• Assists with unloading efforts and disposal needs of customers as needed.
• Mows grass, seeds new areas, drives water truck for dust control.
• Provides general supervision and training of temporary hires and new hires.
• Performs as scale attendant including scale operation through a computerized program while handling cash transactions and providing directions to all customers.
• Plows snow and applies ice control materials as required.
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications:

• Must have high school diploma and relevant experience in the operation, repair and maintenance of earth moving equipment.
• 3 years of experience in a construction or maintenance related field (applicants may have experience in building construction, landscaping, farm operation, park maintenance or railroads).
• 6 months experience operating equipment.
• Preferred experience includes emphasis in the operation of heavy earth moving and construction equipment such as graders, bulldozers, excavators, scrapers, skid steers, backhoes, etc.

Preferred Certifications:

• WDNR NR 524 Certified Landfill Operator License (required after 12 months)
• Valid Wisconsin Class "B" Commercial Driver's License
• Valid Wisconsin Class "A" Non-Restricted Commercial Driver's License with Air Brake
• Preferred endorsements H, N, T (hazardous, double/triple trailers, tanker

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Highly skilled in operating heavy equipment – specifically a landfill compactor designed to manage municipal solid waste, demolition, and industrial waste.
• Highly skilled in machinery and tools to perform functions safely and efficiently.
• Knowledge of landfill and recycling statutes and regulations.
• Knowledge of solid waste design and environmental engineering.
• Ability to operate a GPS system and other computerized systems.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings.
• Ability to put engineering plans into practice in the field and make necessary adjustments.
• Knowledge of soil types and impact of soils on landfill operations.
• Understanding of weather patterns related to heavy truck capabilities.
• Ability to make constant adjustments based on weather and incoming waste materials.
• Ability to control surfaces to divert stormwater and minimize leachate generation.
• Understanding of environmental monitoring, groundwater system maintenance, gas system maintenance, and household hazardous materials.
• Knowledge on performing preventative and breakdown maintenance on equipment.
• Ability to operate tools including welder, compressor, pneumatic and standard mechanic tools, presses, drills, saws, impacts, grinders, tire changer, pumping systems, pressure washer, etc.
• Knowledge and understanding of the leachate collection and gas collection system.
• Knowledge and skills in plumbing, pipe fitting, welding, and electricity (wiring diagrams).
• Mechanical maintenance, automotive repair, equipment repair, construction trades.
• Knowledge of fire mitigation and suppression.

Compensation:

Starting hourly rate of pay: $27.61 + Marathon County benefits

Physical Requirements:

High Physical Requirements - Job requires significant physical exertion, with tasks that involve more active movement. This job may include standing for long periods, lifting heavy objects, or engaging in manual labor.

All physical requirements are described with the intent to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job.

Selection Procedure:

The selection of the successful candidate may be made by assessment of education and work experience, oral interview, review of references, and/or other job-related selection procedures. Depending on position requirements, the selected candidate may be required to satisfactorily complete post-offer assessments, including but not limited to education verification, background checks, driver license verification, physical examination, psychological assessment, and drug screening paid for by the County.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Marathon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status.

Special Accommodations:

Marathon County will make arrangements to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary and reasonable to afford an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. Please notify the Employee Resources Department office or phone (715) 261-1451 to request special accommodations prior to the application deadline.

Notice to Applicants:

Wisconsin Statutes, Sections 19.36 (7), 64.09 (5), and 64.11 (7) require public employers to treat the following items as a public record: Each applicant’s application, records, recommendations, and qualifications except as provided in Section 19.36 (7), Wis. Stats. that allows the identity of an applicant to remain confidential if the applicant requests in writing that the County not provide access to this information. If you choose not to have this information become a public record, you must make such a request in writing to the Employee Resources Department. If you become a finalist for the position, your identity may be disclosed as required by law