Salary : $65,294.00 - $85,922.00 AnnuallyLocation : St. Clair County Environmental Services - Landfill 6779 Smiths Creek Road Smiths Creek, MI 48074Job Type: FULL TIME SALARYJob Number: 25-147Department: Environmental ServicesOpening Date: 07/22/2025Closing Date: 8/4/2025 11:59 PM EasternREQUISITION #: 25-147HOURS: Full TimeOTHER INFORMATION: Open to St. Clair County Employees and the Public POSITION SUMMARY Under the general supervision of the Landfill Director oversees all aspects of daily landfill activities, including waste placement, compaction, cover application, leachate management, gas collection, environmental monitoring, and site maintenance. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated and experienced professional with a strong background in heavy equipment operation, environmental regulations, and team leadership within a landfill or similar heavy industrial environment.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Direct and manage all daily landfill operations, ensuring adherence to established procedures, permits, and regulatory requirements.
- Optimize waste placement and compaction techniques to maximize airspace utilization and prolong landfill life.
- Oversee the application of daily, intermediate, and final cover materials.
- Manage and coordinate the safe and efficient movement of heavy equipment, including compactors, dozers, excavators, and haul trucks.
- Develop and implement operational plans, schedules, and budgets.
- Monitor and manage leachate collection, treatment, and disposal systems.
- Oversee the operation and maintenance of landfill gas collection and control systems.
- Ensure proper maintenance and repair of all landfill equipment.
- Conduct regular safety meetings, training, and inspections.
- Investigate and report all incidents, accidents, and near-misses, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal environmental regulations and permits.
- Prepare and submit required operational and environmental reports to regulatory agencies.
- Implement and maintain environmental monitoring programs.
- Recruit, train, mentor, and supervise a team of landfill operators and technicians.
- Conduct performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and address performance issues.
- Develop and implement training programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge.
- Manage staffing levels to ensure adequate coverage for all operational shifts.
- Implement best management practices to minimize environmental impact.
- Participate in environmental audits and inspections.
- Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement in environmental performance.
- Assist in developing and managing the landfill operating budget, controlling costs and optimizing resource allocation.
- Maintain accurate operational records, logs, and documentation.
- Prepare regular reports on operational performance, key metrics, and financial results.
- Conduct oversight of safety measures for contractors, consultants and vendors.
- Coordinate security measures for landfill facilities and grounds (both local and remote).
- Supervise and coordinate gas management system maintenance and repair activities with Gas-to-Energy facility operators.
- Conduct oversight of and if necessary perform repairs and maintenance of operational systems.
- Respond to after-hours emergency call outs for landfill operational systems.
- Advise the Landfill Director on needed improvements, acquisition of equipment and supplies, and maintenance of landfill facilities, infrastructure and grounds.
- Ensure sufficient supplies, parts and equipment are on hand and available for use in operational systems when necessary.
- Establish and review productivity standards at each phase of the operation.
- Operate equipment as necessary.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:Work is performed under the general direction of the Landfill Director.SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:Supervision exercised over landfill operations employees along with coordination of temporary labor, community service workers, and outside vendors. EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, EDUCATION:
- Bachelor's degree in an Engineering-related field and 5 years progressively responsible experience in landfill operations, waste management, or a similar industrial environment.
- In-depth knowledge of landfill design, operations, and regulatory requirements.
- Strong understanding of heavy equipment operation, maintenance, and safety protocols.
- Proficiencies in environmental monitoring techniques and data interpretation.
- Acquire and maintain the SWANA Manager of Landfill Operations certification.
- Must have HDPE pipe fusion welding certification, OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hour Site Safety Training and Confined Space Entry certification, or successfully obtain within 6 months of employment.
- Must have familiarity with landfill gas-to-energy process facilities.
ESSENTIAL ABILITIES FOR ALL ST. CLAIR COUNTY JOB CLASSIFICATIONS:
- Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
- Ability to follow written and verbal directions and to complete assigned tasks on schedule.
- Ability to read, write & communicate in English and understand basic math.
- Ability to learn from directions, observations, and mistakes; and apply procedures using good judgement.
- Ability to work independently or part of a team; ability to interact appropriately with others.
- Ability to work with supervision, receiving instructions/feedback, coaching/counseling and/or action/discipline.
- Ability to be flexible and demonstrate patience and respect in difficult situations.
- Ability to effectively communicate and interact with diverse populations in both oral and written form.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, employees, vendors and the general public.
- Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Ability to read, interpret and apply procedures, rules, technical information, instructions and manuals.
- Ability to use discretion and maintain sensitive and confidential information.
- Adaptability to change in the work environment, managing competing demands and ability to deal with frequent changes, delays or unexpected events.
- Aptitude in performing mathematical calculations and checking figures, postings and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy and proper coding.
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Knowledge of the principles and processes for effective teamwork and represent the Department and the County in a positive professional manner.
- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Proficient skills using Microsoft Office programs including, but not limited to: Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook required.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- Prior to starting employment, the candidate must complete a satisfactory background check. The background check is understood to encompass all forms of pre-employment screening, including but not limited to: drug screen, physical, criminal background, driving record, sex offender registry, education, training and licensing verification, employment history, credit check, and professional and personal references.
- Employee must possess a valid State of Michigan operator license and maintain this license throughout employment in this position.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodations. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:
- Speak to others to convey information effectively.
- Read, interpret and understand procedures, rules, technical information, instructions and manuals.
- Hear and understand information presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Specific vision requirement includes close vision, distance vision, color and depth perception.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, and high-visibility clothing.
- Use hands to operate a computer, handle materials and operate equipment.
- Push or pull carts, reach with hands and arms forward, above and below shoulder level.
- Lift, move or carry objects, equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Stand and walk, climb stairs.
- Sit, bend, stoop, crouch and kneel in an ergonomically correct manner.
- Normal hours are from 7 a.m. through 3 p.m.
- Share on-call duties after hours.
- Work in an environment of moderate to loud noise levels with interruptions.
- Due to the nature of the work, hours may include overtime, evenings or weekends.
- Work in an outdoor environment the majority of the time.
- Regular exposure to loud noise, humidity, hot and cold weather conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERIt is the policy of St. Clair County not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability that does not prevent performing essential job functions or because he or she is a protected veteran. It is also the policy of St. Clair County to take affirmative action to employ and to advance in employment, all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability that does not prevent performing essential job functions or protected veteran status or other legally protected status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job requirements or duties performed. The job 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 requirements of the job change.St. Clair County offers a robust benefits package. Benefits can be found