Day Shift Equipment Operator (Tacoma, WA)

Recovery 1, a trusted name in environmental services and a proud member of the Waste Connections family, is seeking a skilled and safety-focused Equipment Operator to join our Recycling Center team in Tacoma, WA.

This is a hands-on, outdoor role where you'll operate heavy equipment to support essential waste and recycling operations that serve the local community.

• Pay: $26.00-$26.50 per hour (DOE) with regular wage increases
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (5-7 hours of overtime per week as needed)

This is a hands-on, outdoor position at our sorting facility. You'll operate front loaders and skid steers, help keep work areas clean and organized, and follow safety standards that protect you and your team.

At Waste Connections, we value people who show up, work safely, treat others with respect, and take pride in doing the job right. We know great employees come from diverse industrial backgrounds-if your heavy equipment experience is recent and hands-on, we encourage you to apply.

What You'll Do

• Safely operate front loaders and skid steers to support daily site operations
• Conduct daily equipment inspections, identify issues, and report maintenance needs promptly
• Maintain clean, organized, hazard-free work areas and workstations
• Follow company safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements at all times
• Communicate clearly with team members and supervisors to meet operational goals
• Take direction from senior employees and adapt to changing assignments or equipment needs on short notice

What Success Looks Like

• You take safety seriously and follow procedures consistently
• You can operate heavy equipment independently and stay situationally aware in active yards
• You're reliable: strong attendance, on time, and ready to work
• You communicate clearly, support your teammates, and handle changes calmly. You maintain equipment care habits (checks, reporting, basic upkeep)

Work Environment & Physical Expectations

• Outdoor work in all weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, wind)
• Frequent standing, walking, climbing stairs, and getting in/out of equipment
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds unassisted regularly
• Exposure to dust, noise, odors, uneven terrain, and moving equipment traffic

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of recent, hands-on heavy equipment experience in an industrial environment (recycling center, transfer station, landfill, construction, quarry, etc.)
• Verifiable experience operating front loaders and skid steers safely and independently
• Ability to lift 50 lbs unassisted and perform physical duties throughout the shift
• Ability to work outdoors year-round with strong situational awareness
• Proven commitment to safety through consistent PPE use and adherence to procedures
• Ability to read, speak, and understand English for safety-critical communication (Spanish is a plus)
• Reliable attendance and ability to work scheduled hours, including 5-7 hours of overtime as needed
• Willingness to take direction and adapt to changing tasks or equipment
• Safety-Sensitive Position: Yes

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a recycling center, transfer station, or landfill
• Ability to operate additional equipment (excavator, yard goat/hostling, forklift)
• Experience in safety-sensitive, fast-paced industrial environments
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Familiarity with daily equipment inspections and timely reporting

To be considered for any of our current openings, you must complete an application at www.careers.wasteconnections.com. Once you select your position of interest, you will find application information and additional instructions.

We offer excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a flexible spending account, long-term and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, a 401 (k) retirement plan, and unlimited opportunities to "Connect with Your Future."

A link to our benefits overview can be found here:https://careers.wasteconnections.com/why-waste-connections

WasteConnections is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability or protected veteran status.