Part Time Transfer Station Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $38.30 - $46.51 Hourly
Location : Various Locations throughout King County, WA
Job Type: Career Service (Exec)
Job Number: 2025JKD24691 - 02
Department: DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks
Division: SWD -Solid Waste
Opening Date: 06/23/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: G1 : L174-DLS, DNRP
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week
Summary
Solid Waste Division is a collaborative, forward-thinking, innovative workgroup. We interact with customers providing service, education, and guidance to ensure a successful experience. We are stewards for the environment, we focus on our customers, and we collaborate to drive results.
About this role: Educating customers on diverting material away from Landfill, collaborating with recycle vendors, recover material of reusable resources.
About the team:
For a customer focused Transfer Station Operators (TSO) who are responsive problem solvers and who will support the Department and Division goals on Environmental Sustainability. Be part of this unit as the TSO Staff is well respected and creates positive change for all operational aspects (i.e. collection of materials, site design, safety committee, equipment purchasing, etc.). You will stay busy as you rotate between tasks, operate a variety of equipment, and work at several locations. Your efforts will help improve, contribute, and support changes that are currently happening.
Job Duties

• Safely operate transfer station equipment, which may include front end loaders, pre-load compactors, pedestal compactors, backhoe loader, bailers, forklifts, and skid steers/bobcat and operate yard trucks ("goats") to pull empty garbage hauling trailers into chutes and full trailers out to parking areas through sometimes confined areas.
• Customer-centric interaction with public and commercial haulers to educate and direct patrons with recycling diversion.
• Safely assist customers to safely maneuver and park vehicle, and properly utilize facility to avoid customer injury.
• Screen for hazardous and unacceptable materials and take appropriate action.
• Maintain property and facility within boundary.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Minimum one (1) year experience operating specific heavy equipment such as: (NOTE: Your application work history must demonstrate experience in this area.)
  • front end loaders
  • mini excavator
  • driving or hosteling truck & trailer
• Minimum one (1) year experience related to: (NOTE: Your application work history must demonstrate experience in this area.)
  • Customer Service in an industrial environment
  • Operating hand tools in an industrial environment

Competencies You Bring:

• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Required Licenses:

• Valid Washington State Driver's License and ability to travel to multiple transfer station locations during the workday/shift.
• Offers of employment will be contingent upon verification of a valid Washington State Driver's License or verification of the ability to travel to other transfer stations during the workday/shift.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Basic computer skills for timesheet entry, email communication, virtual training and meetings.
• Basic mechanical skills providing facility and yard maintenance.

Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:

• Work Location: On-site work, multiple locations within King County (Algona, Enumclaw, Renton, Tukwila, Factoria, Houghton, Shoreline, Vashon)
• Work Schedule: Multiple schedules include: 5/8 (5 days, 8 hours, 2 days off) 7/10 (7 days, 10 hours, 7 days off) and 7/10 Regular Part-Time (RPT) (7 days, 10 hours, 7 days off). RPT is primarily assigned to a 7/10 work schedule (7 days on, 10 hours per day, followed by 7 days off (Monday - Sunday). RPT positions are not guaranteed hours and are schedule to work as needed to supplement full-time schedules, with variable work hours, which include Day, Swing, and Graveyard shifts. RPT positions are utilized on a regular basis.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters, Local 174.
• Physical Requirements and Environment:
  • Ability to work in, and operate heavy equipment and machinery on, uneven slopes, surfaces, and terrain, in heat/cold, wet/humid, inclement weather and other adverse conditions such as odor, high volume noise, dust, heavy traffic and confined spaces.
  • Able to lift and carry 50 pounds.
  • Experience working in adverse weather conditions and industrial environment.
• FLSA Status: This position is overtime eligible.

Application and Selection Process: All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacant positions and may be used to create a list of competitive candidates to fill possible future vacancies.
The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in skill tests operating equipment and customer service assessment, and a panel interview.
To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Optional Resume (will be reviewed if submitted)
• Optional Cover Letter (will be reviewed if submitted)

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.
Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in a skills test and panel interview.
Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact
Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at Solid Waste Division and check us out at Facebook| Twitter| Instagram| YouTube.
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.
Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.
Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Application Process
If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Jalynn Davis at jalydavis@kingcounty.gov.
King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
Have you applied for a Transfer Station Operator position within the past six months? (If you have applied to this role within the past 6 months, please do no reapply as your application is still on file.)

• Yes
• No

02
This position requires hands-on operation of specific equipment and machinery. Candidates who advance in the recruitment process will be required to complete a skills assessment demonstrating their ability to safely and effectively operate these machines.Do you understand and acknowledge this requirement?

• Yes
• No

03
Please check if you have a minimum of one (1) year experience with the following heavy equipment. Check all that apply.NOTE: Your application work history must demonstrate a minimum of one year experience in the areas you checked.

• Front-End Loader
• Pre-Load Compactors
• Pedestal Compactors
• Backhoe Loaders
• Mini Excavator
• Driving or hosteling truck & trailer
• Skid-Steer/Bobcat
• None of the above

04
Please check if you have the following. Check all that apply. NOTE: Your application work history must demonstrate experience in the areas you checked.

• Excellent customer service skills dealing with the public on a regular basis.
• Continual experience dealing with a diverse group of co-workers and customers.
• Demonstrated experience operating various types of heavy equipment and power hand tools in an industrial environment.
• Knowledge of safety procedures operating power hand tools and heavy equipment.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Basic mechanical skills providing facility and yard maintenance.
• Basic computer skills for timesheet entry, email communication, virtual training/meetings.
• None of the above.

05
Do you have a minimum one (1) year of hand tool experience?

• Yes
• No

06
If you answered yes above, please provide a brief description with dates and employer with your experience