Heavy Equipment Operator
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Heavy Equipment Operator
Salary
$51,856.48 - $86,427.54 Annually
Location
FAIRFAX (EJ17), VA
Job Type
FT Hourly W BN
Job Number
26-00626
Department
DPWES Solid Waste Management
Opening Date
04/18/2026
Closing Date
5/1/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade
S18
Posting Type
Open to General Public
Description
Benefits
Questions
Job Announcement
$2,500 Signing Bonus*
Get your Career Rolling with Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Solid Waste.
DPWES is a diverse, nationally accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.
Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial wellness. Please review our awesome benefits:
Benefits (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hr/fairfax-county-benefits-summary)
Retirement
DPWES provides award-winning solid waste collection services for approximately 45,000 homes, operates a transfer station and landfill, regulates solid waste services, and leads sustainability initiatives to promote zero waste goals for Fairfax County. DPWES Solid Waste is a diverse work force of approximately 300 merit and 50 non-merit employees and has an annual operating budget of more than $100M. Our nationally recognized team of professionals are working together towards a singular goal: providing environmentally responsible and cost-effective management of municipal solid waste, keeping Fairfax County safe, green, healthy, and clean.
I66 Transfer Station HEO - Operates semi-tractor trailer trucks, and other heavy equipment such as front loaders, cranes, and rubber tire loaders, in the disposal of and transport of solid waste. Operates various maintenance equipment to perform facility and grounds maintenance. Completes daily vehicle pre/post trip inspections. Assures cleanliness of vehicles. Prepares and completes all required logs and reports including reports on traffic incidents. Utilizes the communication systems (cell phones, radios, etc.) in accordance with county policies. Operates a two-way radio system in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). Performs other duties as assigned; duties are performed under general supervision.
Additional skills, abilities and responsibilities include:
Uses effective communication skills to provide oral and written instructions.
Engages in safe working practices and complies with safety programs and guidelines established by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services and the Solid Waste Management Program safety programs and guidelines.
Reports for duty on time in proper uniform and physical condition. Maintains assigned vehicles for cleanliness and is in good working condition.
Adheres to the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services guiding principles.
Maintains the standards of the county, including but not limited to the drug & alcohol, safety, and personnel policies and procedures.
Ensures compliance to all applicable Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and Department of Transportation (DOT) laws and regulations.
Note: Holiday, weekend and overtime work may be required. Position is designated as "essential emergency services personnel".
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions.
*A $2,500 signing bonus is available to new county employees hired in the Heavy Equipment Operator position. Applicants must possess a valid CDL at time of application submission to be eligible.
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to completion of the tenth grade, and three years of experience operating motorized equipment and/or semi-tractor trailers, as appropriate.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver's license.
Commercial driver's license (CDL) Class "A".
DOT Medical Card.
Forklift Safety Training Certificate within 3 months of hire.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a pre-employment physical examination , driving record check, and commercial driver's license screening to the satisfaction of the employer.
Required to report to work during extreme inclement weather or other emergencies, including after-hours and weekend work during emergency incidents to fulfill emergency service duties.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Two years of experience operating construction-@type equipment.
One year of experience leading a team.
One year of experience in the solid waste or similar operating industry.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to frequently climb in and out of heavy equipment and vehicles. Ability to lift and carry items weighing 25 lbs. without assistance and 25 to 50 lbs. with or without assistance. Ability to operate light, medium and heavy-duty equipment and vehicles. Ability to see, hear and speak and be alert of moving equipment and vehicles on site. Ability to walk, stand, sit, bend, crouch, stoop, reach, lift and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions for lengthy periods of time. Ability to work around raw waste and/or household hazards. Ability to work in adverse weather conditions and temperatures. Manual strength and dexterity needed to operate equipment and vehicles. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
BONUS ELIGIBILITY:
Positions within this classification that require a CDL that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only. This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee. Must have CDL at time of hire.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/demographics/fairfax-county-general-overview) .) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.
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