LEAD HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR-DISPOSAL SITE - Promotional Only

THE JOB: Under direction, act as a lead worker of employees who operate heavy earth-moving equipment at a disposal site to spread, compact, and cover solid waste; assign work to equipment operators; determine work methods to be used; observe and direct the work; solve problems that occur; operate heavy equipment; assist the Disposal Site Supervisor in the operation of a disposal site on an as-needed basis; and perform other duties as required. Lead Heavy Equipment Operators are required to wear safety gear, and work at both the Buena Vista Landfill and the Ben Lomond Transfer Station. Both facilities are open and staffed six days a week (closed Sundays) including most holidays. The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Two years of heavy equipment operation experience equivalent to Heavy Equipment Operator-Disposal Site with Santa Cruz County. 

Special Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class A Driver License (upon appointment).

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of safety practices for operating heavy and light earth-moving equipment, and the operation, preventive maintenance, capabilities, and limitations of heavy earth-moving equipment, including large bulldozers, scrapers, and loaders. Working knowledge of the methods, materials, and equipment used in the operation of disposal sites. Some knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and training; and the laws, ordinances, and regulations governing solid waste disposal. 

Ability to: Skillfully operate heavy earth-moving equipment such as bulldozers, scrapers, compactors, and loaders; assign and oversee the work of co-workers who are operating heavy earth-moving equipment to spread, compact, and cover solid waste at a disposal site; assist the supervisor in preparing equipment operator work schedules and in evaluating their work performance; train subordinates in proper work procedures and safety practices; solve a variety of technical and personnel problems; assist the supervisor in the operation of a disposal site on an as-needed basis; act as Site Supervisor as needed in the absence of the supervisor; develop and maintain effective working relationships with others; understand, explain, and apply applicable laws, rules, and regulations; walk over rough terrain; and perform heavy physical labor for extended periods of time and under all types of outdoor weather conditions.

Other Special Requirements: Alcohol and drug tests will be administered to all candidates prior to final selection for positions requiring California Class A or Class B driver licenses upon entry, and to employees in positions requiring these licenses, as mandated by Department of Transportation federal regulations. In addition, all candidates must provide specific employment history for up to the past ten years for all jobs they have held that required operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Availability to work irregular hours, including weekends and holidays.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE – 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years. Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and dependents.
DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security. 
LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
SDI – Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER – Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and On-Call.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now! Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123. Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways: 1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY THAT WOULD REQUIRE TEST ACCOMMODATION, CALL (831) 454-2600. WOMEN, MINORITIES AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.