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Landfill Operator Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

... of landfill gas collection and control systems (GCCS) including the supervision and direction of ... Review and analyze GCCS operating data and prepare reports, coach technicians on same. Implement ...

Silgan Containers has set sustainability targets through 2030 to source more renewable energy, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and divert our waste from landfill to foster environmental ...

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Stacker Operator

Savage, MN · On-site

$28.09/hr

... landfill to foster environmental stewardship. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER The above is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an ...

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... operating procedures. * Ability to perform fairly standard procedures and tasks where basic ... Type III Landfill * Class A license * Household Hazardous Waste * Skid Loader and Pay Loader ...

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Solid Waste Attendant

Wadena, MN · On-site

$20.19 - $27.52/hr

... operating procedures. * Ability to perform fairly standard procedures and tasks where basic ... Type III Landfill * Class A license * Household Hazardous Waste * Skid Loader and Pay Loader ...

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Landfill Operator information

See Minnesota salary details

$13

$19

$26

How much do landfill operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for landfill operator in Minnesota is $19.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.73 and $20.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a landfill operator?

Landfill operators are professionals responsible for overseeing the daily operations of landfill sites where waste is disposed of in a controlled manner. They ensure that waste is properly deposited, compacted, and covered to minimize environmental impact and comply with regulations. Their duties often include monitoring equipment, managing records, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. Landfill operators play a crucial role in protecting the environment by preventing pollution and managing waste efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a landfill operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Landfill Operator, you need knowledge of waste management practices, heavy equipment operation, and compliance with environmental regulations, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with machinery such as bulldozers, compactors, and landfill gas monitoring systems is typically required, and certifications like OSHA safety training can be advantageous. Attention to detail, reliability, and strong communication skills help ensure safe and efficient operations. These skills are essential to maintain environmental standards, protect public health, and keep landfill sites running smoothly.

What are some common challenges faced by landfill operators and how can they be managed?

Landfill Operators often encounter challenges such as managing heavy equipment in variable weather conditions, adhering to strict environmental regulations, and ensuring personal safety in potentially hazardous environments. To manage these challenges, operators receive thorough safety training, follow established protocols, and work closely with environmental and maintenance teams to address issues promptly. Staying up-to-date with regulatory requirements and participating in regular equipment inspections also help minimize risks and maintain efficient operations.

What is the difference between Landfill Operator vs Waste Management Technician?

AspectLandfill OperatorWaste Management Technician
CertificationsOSHA safety training, CDL often preferredOSHA safety training, hazardous waste handling certifications
Work EnvironmentLandfill sites, outdoor, heavy machineryWaste collection sites, outdoor, equipment operation
Industry UsageSolid waste disposal, landfill managementWaste collection, recycling, waste processing

Both roles involve outdoor work and safety certifications, but Landfill Operators focus on managing landfill sites and operating heavy machinery, while Waste Management Technicians handle waste collection and recycling processes. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right fit in the waste management industry.

What are popular job titles related to Landfill Operator jobs in Minnesota?

For Landfill Operator jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Landfill Operator jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Landfill Operator job openings:

Infographic showing various Landfill Operator job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,741 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Environmental Compliance Supervisor

American Crystal Sugar Company

Crookston, MN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


American Crystal Sugar Company rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

155th of 438 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

We are looking for a motivated individual to join our Crookston, MN factory as Environmental Compliance Supervisor. The purpose of this position is to be primary factory contact for all environmental agencies and is responsible for all monthly, semiannual and annual reporting to state agencies in collaboration with the Environmental Engineer and Environmental Manager. This position is further responsible for ensuring factory compliance with established environmental sampling, testing and reporting. This position troubleshoots noncompliance issues and takes corrective measures as appropriate.
The principal accountabilities of this position include, but are not limited to:
Lead and promote a positive work culture through Company Values of Safety, Integrity, Quality, Teamwork, and Accountability.
The incumbent is the primary factory contact with state environmental agencies and acts in a professional manner and in accordance with company policies. This position accompanies any environmental auditors on inspections, participates in the debriefing, maintains all documentation from inspections, summarizes and communicates results to factory management and corporate environmental staff.
The incumbent trouble shoots all noncompliance issues and takes action as needed.
The Environmental Compliance Supervisor is the factory's resident expert on environmental issues and is required to understand all aspects of the environmental permits under which their assigned factory operates. The incumbent ensures all the Title V air, water and landfill data collection, records maintenance and testing for the factory.
The incumbent is also responsible for overseeing outside contractors to ensure they are following environmental requirements. Environmental issues relating to the factory piling grounds and Transystems shop are shared accountabilities with the Harvest/Maintenance Supervisor.
Title V (Air):
  • Conducts the daily opacity test on air emissions and maintains records.

  • Required emission stack compliance testing for PM10, SO2, NOX, CO, CO2 Greenhouse gases, opacity or other emission units regulated by the Title V permit. In the event the opacity is out of compliance, the incumbent notifies local factory management and the corporate environmental department. The incumbent will ensure adjustments are then made to bring the opacity into compliance, followed by retesting and notifications.

  • Ensures compliance within permitted emission levels of all factory emission points such as pulp and sugar dryers, boilers, lime kiln, baghouses and cyclones. This includes coordinating, conducting and completing the emission testing as required for permit compliance. Also maintains updated operating and maintenance plans for air pollution control equipment

  • Monitors daily hydrogen sulfide levels per Minnesota Stipulation Agreement and applies approved chemicals as needed to ensure compliance. Monitoring and taking corrective action to ensure compliance with the Stipulation Agreement is a major accountability. This position also maintains appropriate chemical inventory as required

Wastewater:
  • Oversee and coordinate with operators and the lab to ensure all water samples are collected properly and timely for lab analysis. Monitor test results and determines the causes and the best methods of correction for when wastewater treatment performance issues arise.

  • NPDES Treatment of Wastewater - each factory discharges between 150 and 300 million gallons of water into the river each year. This position ensures compliance with all discharge parameters and files monthly eDMR's with the MPCA.

  • Monitors and oversees the activities of the wastewater treatment operations to maximize performance, throughput, uptime and chemical optimization.

  • SWPPP Storm Water Collection - ensure compliance with storm water collection, treatment and discharge requirements.

Solid Waste:
  • Solid Waste Landfill - each factory produces lime waste. The incumbent ensures that the inert lime landfill is in compliance with regulations; this position is required to be certified as a Solid Waste Land Fill Operator and coordinates annual operator landfill training.

  • Mud Remediation - Ensures compliance with solid waste permits, including groundwater monitoring, soil nutrient testing, surface water collection and storage, and offensive odor ratings. Where applicable, oversees mud pressing operations to maximize performance, throughput, uptime, and chemical optimization. Manages factory-owned land application fields.

  • Pulp & Tailings - disposal within permitted requirements and conduct site inspections. Completes by-product management annual report within established time frame. Manages and coordinates byproducts, hauling and disposal. Implement measures to more accurately track and acquire efficiencies in the factory land application of by-products at the factory. Leads the management of byproducts while maintaining the factory yard, landfills, and ponds. Coordinates with Ag personnel as needed while managing by-products. Industrial byproducts (IBP) license or management per the MPCA IBP process.

ICM and General Maintenance:
  • Manages the ICM maintenance activities and projects in the wastewater areas.

  • Works alongside the factory maintenance superintendent to ensure proper planning and scheduling is completed for ICM projects and tasks.

  • Keep roads, ditches and areas at the perimeter of the factory clean and clear for the general public.

  • Oversees factory snow removal and ice remediation of the factory entrance and designated roads.

Spill Prevention Control Countermeasure (SPCC) plans are updated by the incumbent as well as coordinating training and ensuring monthly inspections as required by the SPCC plan.
The Environmental Compliance Supervisor manages the factory hazardous wastes storage site, which includes waste solvents, disposal of obsolete radioactive sources, PCB's, and asbestos. The incumbent ensures documentation and coordinates training as required.
This position retains all records and updates the Tier II reporting as required for certification of chemical usage in the factory.
Participate/coordinate and prepare semi-annual and annual factory reporting to regulatory environmental agencies and submitted in a timely manner by the incumbent in accordance with regulations. This is in collaboration with the Corporate Environmental Manager.
The incumbent may supervise a crew of union employees and outside contractors in the completion of environmental activities.
The Environmental Compliance Supervisors meet regularly with the corporate environmental staff to ensure continued compliance with existing and new environmental regulations and to ensure consistency between factories and a sharing of information and experience.
Problems of an unusual nature are referred to the Factory Manager and/or Corporate environmental staff for resolution and direction.
Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:
This position requires a basic understanding of environmental law and in-depth knowledge and understanding of the permits under which their assigned factory must operate; this position is the factory's environmental expert. Knowledge of factory operations and processes is required in understanding the impact of permitting restrictions and in problem solving analysis of environmental operational issues. Strong leadership, communication and administrative skills are important in ensuring factory environmental compliance.
This knowledge and these skills are typically obtained through completion of a four-year technical education. Environmental Compliance Supervisors are also required to secure licensing as shown below during the first two years in this position, unless otherwise noted below. A valid driver license is also required.
Licenses required at Moorhead, Crookston and EGF Locations:
Waste Disposal Facility Operator III Industrial Landfill
Waste Disposal Facility Operator II Landfill Operator
Waste Disposal Facility Operator IV Land application
Waste Water Operator Certificate Class D
Certification required at Drayton and Hillsboro facilities include the following:
ND State Certified in Visual Opacity Readings - within first year in this position.
Participation in NDSHD Wastewater Operator Training complete within the first two years in this position at Hillsboro and Drayton.
Compensation Range:
$105,527.70 - $131,909.62 Annual Salary
Benefits Include:
Our benefits include eligibility for comprehensive medical insurance starting on day one.
In addition, we offer a health savings account, 401(k) retirement savings plan with a Company match and contribution, paid dental insurance paid basic life insurance, paid short and long-term disability, vision insurance, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, paid sick leave, paid parental leave, paid volunteer opportunities and paid holidays. We also offer discretionary bonuses, tuition reimbursement, service awards, and a 24/7 employee assistance program with access to eight confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost. Some of these benefits are subject to eligibility criteria.
We are proud to offer such a comprehensive package to our employees and believe that it reflects our commitment to their well-being and success.
An Equal Opportunity Employer

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