Compost Operator Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $54,735.07 - $81,520.32 Annually
Location : 6415 35th Avenue, Kenosha, WI
Job Type: Regular - Full Time
Job Number: 202601156
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 08/11/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Central
General Overview of Position
The City is seeking an Equipment Operator for a full-time, non-represented opening in the Streets Division of the Public Works Department.
Employees in this classification perform skilled construction and maintenance duties of a varied nature and operate multi-purpose heavy equipment requiring a high degree of skill, especially in working grades and operating equipment efficiently and safely. Standard procedures are followed, and the work is inspected periodically for safety and economy of operation by field supervisors. In addition, this position is required to work snow and ice control and other emergencies multiple days in a row including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Recruitment Process
The recruitment process consists of the following:

• Application acceptance period
• Application review period
• Field Proficiency Exam
• Applicant interviews scheduled
• Eligibility List and Selection

Example of Duties & Responsibilities

• Operates equipment such as backhoe, semi-tractor and trailer, front end-loader, large snow blower, crane, street sweeper, grader, bulldozer, log truck, beach cleaner, excavator, compost grinder, and screener.
• Grades or excavates land and backfills excavations and trenches in connection with park, street, storm or sanitary sewer, water distribution systems, and sidewalk maintenance and repair.
• Assists the water department with repairs to sanitary sewers.
• Operates equipment in the loading of trucks, construction or repair of shoulders & roads, installation of culverts & cleaning of ditches for drainage.
• Moves, loads and unloads heavy equipment.
• Performs duties of (Water) Construction & Maintenance Worker
• Performs daily, weekly & monthly operator maintenance and minor repair work on equipment and reports problems to the supervisor.
• Stacks garbage in the transfer station.
• Loads, levels off, and covers garbage in trailers.
• Drives tractor and trailer to landfill.
• Cleans pit area of the transfer station and locks up transfer station and garage at the end of the day.
• Plows, salts, and sands City streets, alleys, and sidewalks.
• Patches roads with blacktop.
• Responds to emergency call-out to repair water distribution/sanitary sewer system.
• Supervises the work of others and is responsible for tools, equipment, and work of other employees.
• Operates cutting torch and welding equipment to fabricate parts and repair equipment.
• Works at compost site removing compost from public areas, processing compost, and creating compost rows. Work may include late hours up to 6:30 pm and possibly Saturdays.
• Operates digger derrick: sets and removes street lights and signal poles.
• Be on call for electrical emergencies (rotating basis)
• Removes brush and leaves from City streets.
• Loads sand, gravel, topsoil, and blacktop into dump trucks.
• Cleans catch basins, culverts, and bridges.
• Hauls snow, gravel, and broken concrete to fill sites.
• Assists in non-technical arborist activities.
• Places barricades and warning lights.
• Maintains records and prepares reports.
• Does related work as required.

NOTE: The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work performed by persons in positions covered by this classification specification. This list is not all-inclusive. The omission of a particular job duty does not mean that the duty is not one of the essential functions of the position. Management reserves the right to assign employees in this classification to duties not listed above, if the duties are fairly within the scope of responsibilities applicable to the level of work performed by employees in positions covered by this classification specification. This classification specification does not create an employment contract between the City and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and the department change over time.
Requirements
Training & Experience:

• High school diploma, HSED or GED.
• Possession of a valid Class B commercial driver's license (CDL) with no restriction for air brake operation is required at the time of application. Class A and tanker CDL is preferred at the time of application but is required within six (6) months of start of employment.
• Three (3) years of experience in the operation of standard or specialized heavy equipment.
• OSHA Confined Space Entry certification/training highly desired.
• Must pass the field proficiency examination.

Physical Requirements:

• Task involves the regular, and at times sustained, performance of heavier physical tasks such as walking over rough or uneven surfaces, bending, stooping, working in confined spaces, and lifting or carrying moderately heavy (20-80 pound) items and occasionally very heavy (100 pounds or over) items.
• Task may involve the complex operation of gasoline, electric, or diesel-powered machinery or shop equipment requiring the manipulation of multiple controls, fine adjustments or both; or the sustained operation of associated equipment.
• Task involves the frequent use of coordinating and manipulative skills in performing a variety of tasks with the full range of hand tools and shop equipment; or the skilled and complex operation of heavy equipment calling for adherence to exacting standards of depth, grade, dimensions, and contours.

Environmental Requirements:

• Task requires that work be performed in adverse environmental conditions.

Sensory Requirements:

• Task requires visual, perception and discrimination.
• Task requires color perception and discrimination.
• Task requires depth perception and discrimination.
• Task requires texture perception and discrimination.
• Task requires sound perception and discrimination.
• Task requires odor perception and discrimination.

Other Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Wisconsin commercial driver license (CDL) with no restriction for air brake operation. Any additional endorsements required by the department must be obtained prior to the completion of the probationary period.
• Good driving record.

Method of Selection
Applicant's education, training and experience will be analyzed. Written, oral, proficiency and/or other exams may be required to establish eligibility. Appointment will be made in accordance with City policy and the Civil Service Ordinance (Rules and Regulations). The City reserves the right to further evaluate only those applicants who best meet the needs of the City.
Why the City of Kenosha?
We offer a full benefit package, annual pay increases, generous paid time off and employee and community engagement opportunities for general full-time employees!
The City of Kenosha is taking on many exciting projects in the areas of large scale developments and technological advancements to keep Kenosha the vibrant and growing community we love -- Join us!
Most positions are included in a 17 step compensation plan. Most employees receive annual salary increases of 2.5% based on the current compensation plan. Additional across-the-board pay increases may occur annually.
Insurance
The City offers a high deductible health plan (HDHP) to eligible employees and their qualifying dependent(s) as of the first of the month following 30 days of full-time employment. All employees are required to pay a five percent (5%) monthly health insurance premium, which will be waived if the employee participates in an annual Health Risk Appraisal (HRA). Employees and qualifying dependents are responsible for any deductibles, co-payments, or other out-of-pocket costs associated with care received under the provisions of the plan(s).
The City offers dental insurance to eligible employees as of the first of the month following 30 days of full-time employment. There are two options for Dental Insurance: CarePlus (Dental Associates) and Delta Dental. CarePlus (Dental Associates) monthly premiums are paid for by the City. Employees are responsible for monthly premiums if enrolling in Delta Dental. Only one dental plan may be selected if enrolling.
The City offers vision insurance to eligible employees as of the first of the month following 30 days of full-time employment. This plan provides benefits (after applicable co-pay) including a comprehensive exam, eye glasses with standard single vision, etc.
The City holds an open enrollment period each calendar year. If the employee waives coverage of health and/or dental insurance upon hire, they must experience a qualifying life event as prescribed by the Plan's summary plan description in order to enroll for either health or dental insurance at any other time during the plan year. Employees who do not experience a qualifying life event must wait for the open enrollment period to elect coverage. Insurance benefits are subject to unilateral changes by the City.
We participate in the This is a pension plan. We match the employee contribution amount monthly for general employees. The current contribution rate for general and teacher employees can be found
Term group life insurance coverage is provided to employees who participate in the WRS through the The premium for Basic Plan coverage is paid by the City for active employees.
Employees may elect to defer part of their income into a 457(b) retirement plan through , or the
Employees enjoy numerous types of paid time off.
Employees earn up to 12 days of sick leave per year. Sick leave can be carried over year after year & never expires during employment.
Paid Vacation - available for use on January 1 each year! (pro-rated your first year of employment)
Years of Service Days/Hours per Year
Less than 1 year 12 days (96 hours)
After 1-5 years 15 days (120 hours)
After 6-10 years 17 days (136 hours)
After 11-15 years 19 days (152 hours)
After 16-20 years 21 days (160 hours)
After 20 years 25 days (200 hours)
Employees may carry over eighty (80) hours of unused vacation leave into the next calendar year.
We observe 12 paid holidays & additional paid floating holidays!
New Year's Day Independence Day (July 4th) Christmas Eve Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Labor Day Christmas Day
Friday before Easter Thanksgiving Day New Year's Eve Day
Memorial Day Day after Thanksgiving
Juneteenth
Employees receive at least two (2) paid floating holidays per year. Holiday observance schedule may vary by department.
Duty-Related Death Benefit
One year's salary is paid to the named beneficiary of an eligible employee who is killed in the line of duty.
Health and Wellness Clinic - Employees (and covered spouses) who elect health insurance coverage and complete the annual HRA may utilize the City's onsite Health and Wellness Clinic, which is staffed by a Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse. Services provided by the Clinic may be subject to a co-payment, as prescribed by City policy and IRS guidelines.
Health Savings Account - The health insurance plan offered by the City qualifies for a Health Savings Account (HSA) as defined by the IRS. Johnson Bank has waived the fees normally associated with opening and maintaining an HSA for all City employees who are enrolled in a qualifying insurance plan. Payroll deduction (pre-taxed) is only available to those employees who hold their HSA with Johnson Bank. Enrollment for this benefit is administered by the Finance Department.
Critical Illness, Accident & Universal Life/Long-Term Care Insurances - Supplemental policies for Critical Illness, Accident and Life/Long-Term Care Insurance are offered to current eligible employees during the City's annual open enrollment period.
Tuition Reimbursement Program - Regular full-time employees who have completed their probationary period may be reimbursed for 80% of tuition up to $3,000 per calendar year for satisfactory completion (a grade of "B" or greater) of approved courses through an accredited institution in the pursuance of an Associate, Bachelor or Master Degree. Please refer to the City's Personnel Policies and Regulations for program information.
*Benefit offerings are based on eligibility, reviewed annually and are subject to change.
01
Do you meet the minimum qualifications for this position? Please review the job posting and position requirements before submitting your application.

• Yes
• No

02
What is the highest level of education you have achieved?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor Degree
• Masters Degree

03
Do you posses a valid Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with no restriction for air brake operation?

• Yes
• No

04
If you hold a valid CDL, please indicate any other classifications you have. Check all that apply:

• Class A
• Class C
• Manual Transmission
• I do not have a CDL

05
Which of the following CDL endorsements do you hold?

• T = Double/triple trailers
• N = Tank vehicles
• H = Hazardous materials
• S = School bus
• P = Passenger vehicle
• None of the above

06
Check and list