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Landfill Operator Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Landfill Laborer

Whitelaw, WI · On-site

$20/hr

As a Landfill Laborer, you'll support a variety of daily tasks to help keep the site clean, organized, and operating safely. This is an active, outdoor role that's ideal for someone who doesn't want ...

Landfill Laborer

Watertown, WI · On-site

$18.50/hr

As a Landfill Laborer, you'll support a variety of daily tasks to help keep the site clean, organized, and operating safely. This is an active, outdoor role that's ideal for someone who doesn't want ...

Landfill Laborer

Bristol, WI · On-site

$18/hr

As a Landfill Laborer, you'll support a variety of daily tasks to help keep the site clean, organized, and operating safely. This is an active, outdoor role that's ideal for someone who doesn't want ...

As a Landfill Laborer, you'll support a variety of daily tasks to help keep the site clean, organized, and operating safely. This is an active, outdoor role that's ideal for someone who doesn't want ...

Landfill Laborer

Muskego, WI · On-site

$16/hr

As a Landfill Laborer, you'll support a variety of daily tasks to help keep the site clean, organized, and operating safely. This is an active, outdoor role that's ideal for someone who doesn't want ...

As a Landfill Laborer, you'll support a variety of daily tasks to help keep the site clean, organized, and operating safely. This is an active, outdoor role that's ideal for someone who doesn't want ...

Building & Grounds Support

Kohler, WI · On-site

$15.75 - $21.50/hr

Obtain and maintain a valid Wisconsin Landfill Operators Certification to qualify for working within the Kohler Co. Twin Oakes Landfill. * Manage and maintain campus roads and parking lots, for ...

Laborer

Berlin, WI · On-site

$20/hr

As a Landfill Laborer, you'll support a variety of daily tasks to help keep the site clean, organized, and operating safely. This is an active, outdoor role that's ideal for someone who doesn't want ...

Senior Plant Operator - Mallard WI

Delavan, WI · On-site

$15.75 - $21.25/hr

Airswift is seeking a Senior Plant Operator to support the operation and maintenance in Delavan, WI ... Collaborate with landfill and operations teams to ensure system efficiency * Train, mentor, and ...

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Laborer

Franklin, WI · On-site

$18/hr

Seeking Landfill Laborer out in the Franklin, WI Area to start as soon as possible. Long-term ... Company Description On-Site Staffing Services is a family owned and operated employment placement ...

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Landfill Operator information

See Wisconsin salary details

$14

$19

$27

How much do landfill operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for landfill operator in Wisconsin is $19.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.21 and $21.11 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 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 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 cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Landfill Operator jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Landfill Operator job openings:
Infographic showing various Landfill Operator job openings in Wisconsin as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Contract, 1% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,956 per year, or $19.7 per hour.

Skilled Laborer - Landfill (External)

Dane County

Madison, WI

$31.49 - $33.87/hr

Other

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Description Dane County Waste & Renewables has an opening for a full time (1.0 FTE) Skilled Laborer - Landfill. The eligible list created from this posting will be used for future Skilled Laborer - Landfill vacancies within the next six (6) months. Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal

All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence - the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. DEFINITION Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables (W&R) owns and operates the County's landfills, household hazardous waste collection site, a construction and demolition (C&D) recycling facility, various other recycling programs and a Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Plant that converts landfill gas to pipeline quality RNG.

This classification operates heavy equipment and performs manual work for operation, maintenance, and construction of the landfill, Clean Sweep, C&D recycling facility, RNG plant or other offsite locations. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES Operates heavy motorized equipment including bulldozers, large capacity front-end loaders, large capacity landfill compactors, articulating dump trucks, excavators, motor graders, hydrovac truck, water truck, hydro-seeder truck, and other heavy equipment. Pushes, spreads, and compacts solid waste.

Excavates, hauls, and spreads soil to cover waste. Makes excavations, digs ditches, and cuts road grades. Hauls dirt, gravel, rock, sand, or other materials with articulating dump trucks and standard dump trucks.

Plows snow and applies ice control materials on department properties. Directs customer trucks or other vehicles with special solid waste to proper disposal areas and rejects loads that are unacceptable for proper disposal. Installs or repairs HDPE or PVC piping.

Includes fusion welding of pipe, excavation of trenches, installation of pipe, surveying of pipe, placement of stone bedding, and backfilling of trenches. Checks that equipment is serviced with gas, oil, water and lubricants. Cleans equipment cab, cleans tracks, blows out radiators, and performs daily visual equipment inspections.

Notifies mechanics of needed equipment repairs through computerized maintenance management system. Performs or assists with manual work in site maintenance or construction including cleaning work areas and litter pickup. Installs, repairs or maintains leachate collection and gas piping systems.

Drives heavy equipment to transport between sites, to test after repairs, and assists with construction activities. Performs load inspections, keeps simple records. Mows grass, seeds new areas, and inspects landfill cover for erosion.

Drives water truck for dust control. Drives hydro-seeder truck and sprays material for daily cover. Provides general supervision of temporary hire laborers who perform litter clean up and litter pickup.

Handles cash transactions and provides information to the public. Performs other duties as assigned. Education, Experience and Special Requirements Education, Training and Experience: Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of experience in construction or maintenance, or at least six (6) months of operating medium-heavy sized motorized equipment (front end loader, bulldozer, excavator, etc.)

An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. Applicants who have completed a County sponsored internship program will be considered to have met the minimums of this position. Special Requirements: Must have a valid driver's license, a good driving record and access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent.

Must be available to work nights, weekends, holidays, and during emergencies and/or unexpected maintenance events. Certifications/Licenses: Valid Wisconsin Class "B" Commercial Driver's License required at time of hire. Valid Wisconsin Class "A" Commercial Driver's License required within 12 months of hire.

N (Tanker) endorsement preferred but not required. Everyone who has a commercial driver's license ("CDL") must be registered in the US Department of Transportation's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. Registration is available at https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/register

Applicants must pass drug/alcohol testing after a conditional offer of employment has been made. NCCCO crane operator certification preferred but not required. WDNR NR 524 Certified Landfill Operator License required within 12 months of hire.

Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 - 111.395, Wis

Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. Physical and Environmental Work Requirements: Ability to lift 70 pounds maximum with frequent lifting (up to 50 times a day) and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 40 pounds

Ability to wear a respirator. Ability to enter and work in small confined spaces. Physically capable of running heavy equipment; operating hand tools and power tools; climbing ladders; working from heights; working with poor lighting; and working in conditions of wind, dust, rain, snow, ice, extreme temperatures, and excessive noise.

Active landfill construction site that is open in all weather conditions. Unheated transfer station building with several large moving vehicles in close proximity. Maintenance building with multiple pieces of automotive and heavy equipment.

Over 75% of work is performed outside. Working with and around chemicals, landfill leachate, and landfill gas. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of the methods, materials, and equipment used in the construction and operation of a sanitary landfill, transfer station, compost sites, and other solid waste facilities.

Knowledge in the construction of gravel roads, highways, and piping systems. Skill in operating heavy equipment for activities such as cutting to grade, excavation and backfilling of trenches, moving earth, loading trucks with excavators and/or loaders, grading and rolling road surfaces, and operating close to fixed and moving objects. Knowledge of the methods of and ability to perform HDPE pipe welding or PVC pipe installation and repairs.

Ability to service and to make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment, ability to do heavy manual work including maintenance of underground piping and pumping systems. Ability to deal tactfully with the public on routine matters and to establish effective relationships with all persons at solid waste facilities, ability to keep accurate reports, ability to read and write, ability to make simple mathematical calculations with accuracy, ability to handle cash and maintain simple records related to cash transactions, ability to operate a personal computer in accordance with standard operating procedures, ability to follow written and oral instructions.