Transfer Station Operator

Job Description:

Transfer Station Operator

Description

Summary

Solid Waste Division is a collaborative, forward-thinking, innovative workgroup. We interact with customers providing service, education, and guidance to ensure a successful experience. We are stewards for the environment, we focus on our customers, and we collaborate to drive results.

About this role: Educating customers on diverting material away from Landfill, collaborating with recycle vendors, recover material of reusable resources.

About the team:
For a customer focused Transfer Station Operators (TSO) who are responsive problem solvers and who will support the Department and Division goals on Environmental Sustainability. Be part of this unit as the TSO Staff is well respected and creates positive change for all operational aspects (i.e. collection of materials, site design, safety committee, equipment purchasing, etc.). You will stay busy as you rotate between tasks, operate a variety of equipment, and work at several locations. Your efforts will help improve, contribute, and support changes that are currently happening.

Job Duties

• Safely operate transfer station equipment, which may include front end loaders, pre-load compactors, pedestal compactors, backhoe loader, bailers, forklifts, and skid steers/bobcat and operate yard trucks ("goats") to pull empty garbage hauling trailers into chutes and full trailers out to parking areas through sometimes confined areas.
• Customer-centric interaction with public and commercial haulers to educate and direct patrons with recycling diversion.
• Safely assist customers to safely maneuver and park vehicle, and properly utilize facility to avoid customer injury.
• Screen for hazardous and unacceptable materials and take appropriate action.
• Maintain property and facility within boundary.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

It Would Also Be Great if You Have:

• Minimum one (1) year experience operating specific heavy equipment such as: ( NOTE: Your application work history must demonstrate experience in this area.)
  • front end loaders
  • mini excavator
  • driving or hosteling truck & trailer
• Minimum one (1) year experience related to: ( NOTE: Your application work history must demonstrate experience in this area.)
  • Customer Service in an industrial environment
  • Operating hand tools in an industrial environment

Competencies You Bring:

• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Required Licenses:

• Valid Washington State Driver's License and ability to travel to multiple transfer station locations during the workday/shift.
• Offers of employment will be contingent upon verification of a valid Washington State Driver's License or verification of the ability to travel to other transfer stations during the workday/shift.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Basic computer skills for timesheet entry, email communication, virtual training and meetings.
• Basic mechanical skills providing facility and yard maintenance.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: On-site work, multiple locations within King County (Algona, Enumclaw, Renton, Tukwila, Factoria, Houghton, Shoreline, Vashon)
• Work Schedule: Multiple schedules include: 5/8 (5 days, 8 hours, 2 days off) 7/10 (7 days, 10 hours, 7 days off) and 7/10 Regular Part-Time (RPT) (7 days, 10 hours, 7 days off). RPT is primarily assigned to a 7/10 work schedule (7 days on, 10 hours per day, followed by 7 days off (Monday - Sunday). RPT positions are not guaranteed hours and are schedule to work as needed to supplement full-time schedules, with variable work hours, which include Day, Swing, and Graveyard shifts. RPT positions are utilized on a regular basis.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters, Local 174.
• Physical Requirements and Environment:
  • Ability to work in, and operate heavy equipment and machinery on, uneven slopes, surfaces, and terrain, in heat/cold, wet/humid, inclement weather and other adverse conditions such as odor, high volume noise, dust, heavy traffic and confined spaces.
  • Able to lift and carry 50 pounds.
  • Experience working in adverse weather conditions and industrial environment.
• FLSA Status: This position is overtime eligible.

Application and Selection Process: All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacant positions and may be used to create a list of competitive candidates to fill possible future vacancies.

The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in skill tests operating equipment and customer service assessment, and a panel interview.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Optional Resume (will be reviewed if submitted)
• Optional Cover Letter (will be reviewed if submitted)

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in a skills test and panel interview.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact jalydavis@kingcounty.gov .

Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at Solid Waste Division and check us out at Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube .

Discover More About DNRP : Visit our website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 2/6/2026 12:00 AM Pacific

Salary:

$38.30 - $46.51 Hourly