Prince William County is hiring: Heavy Equipment Operator in Woodbridge

Are you an experienced heavy equipment operator looking for a rewarding and stable job opportunity? Prince William County Public Works, Solid Waste Division is seeking a heavy equipment operator to work at the County’s modern, highly engineered sanitary landfill in Manassas, Virginia. The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma and at least three years of full‑time work experience operating a bulldozer, track loader, or landfill compactor in the solid waste industry or construction industry. Prince William County offers excellent benefits, including paid vacation and sick leave, medical and dental insurance, and a retirement plan. Join a team that has a strong commitment to safety and strives every day to protect the earth by managing solid waste responsibly.

About This Role:

This position is assigned to the County Landfill and works as part of a team responsible for the safe and efficient operation of motorized heavy equipment to load and move trash and other materials, compact trash, and place cover in accordance with established standards and regulatory requirements. Other routine projects include constructing temporary roadways, repairing and maintaining stormwater management features and environmental control systems, and general landfill maintenance. This position requires the ability to work effectively as part of a team and engage customers in a courteous manner.

Responsibilities:

• Safely operate heavy equipment, including a bulldozer, track loader, or landfill compactor, to load and move trash and other materials, compact waste, and place cover in accordance with established standards and regulatory requirements;
• Operate other vehicles and equipment such as a motor grader, articulated truck, skid steer, excavator, and rubber tire loader;
• Perform equipment and vehicle inspections and minor preventative maintenance;
• Write and maintain accurate and timely logs, records, and reports;
• Read, understand, and abide by all transportation and safety regulations and other applicable requirements, policies, and procedures pertaining to the assigned work;
• Assist with load inspections and site cleanliness; and
• Follow supervisor’s direction, work as part of a team, and communicate effectively and respectfully with coworkers and the public at all times.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum 8th‑grade education is required.
• Minimum 1 year of full‑time experience operating motorized heavy equipment is required.

Preferences:

• High school diploma is preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of full‑time work experience operating a bulldozer, track loader, or landfill compactor in the solid waste industry or construction industry is preferred.
• Class A or Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is desired but not required.

Special Requirements:

• Driver’s License Requirement – Having and maintaining a valid driver’s license is a requirement of the position. This job may also require driving a County vehicle.
• Essential Service Requirement – This position is designated as an essential employee. Responding to emergencies, inclement weather, and other issues that may impact facility operations before or after regular working hours, including on holidays and weekends, is required.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – This job is a safety‑sensitive position that requires wearing personal protective equipment, including but not limited to safety shoes, safety vest, and hard hat.
• Physical Requirement – This job requires lifting up to 75 pounds, exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The work is generally performed outside and may involve exposure to vibrations, intense noises, moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, chemicals, fumes, odors, dust, gases, inadequate lighting, and poor ventilation. The ability to work safely in inclement weather and in close proximity to other heavy equipment and vehicular traffic is required. The job also requires the ability to routinely walk long distances over rough terrain in noisy and dusty conditions, as well as climbing, balancing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, pushing, pulling, and grasping.
• Pre‑employment Requirement – Successfully passing a pre‑employment physical examination is a condition of employment for this position.

Work Schedule:

The typical work schedule for this position is 37.5 hours per week. Specific schedules are based on County Landfill operations, which run six to seven days per week, and are subject to change based on business needs. Working weekends and some holidays is required. This position is eligible for overtime, weekend pay, and holiday pay. Working outside of regularly scheduled hours with little or no notice may be required in the event of inclement weather or a department or County emergency.

Hiring Salary Range:

$28.73 to $34.19 hourly

Job Information:

The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change. The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

To view the classification description in its entirety, click here.

Prince William County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Prince William County Government full‑time positions qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.