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Waste Management Laborer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

This position reports directly to the Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling Manager, and works alongside Foreperson, Heavy Vehicle Operators, and other Laborers. Dedicate efforts to ensuring that all ...

Position Summary A Public Works Laborer is responsible for performing a variety of semi-skilled maintenance work associated with the waste management, street and facility maintenance duties of the ...

Front End Driver

Arlington, VA · On-site

$22 - $35/hr

Performs physical labor and any other duty that is required. * Maintains and inspects vehicles and ... waste management. Class B CDL State driver's license with the insurable record, DOT Health Card ...

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Waste Management Laborer information

See Washington salary details

$12

$20

$27

How much do waste management laborer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for waste management laborer in Washington is $20.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.98 and $22.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a waste management laborer?

To thrive as a Waste Management Laborer, you need physical stamina, attention to safety protocols, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with waste collection vehicles, hydraulic lift systems, and personal protective equipment (PPE) is typically required. Reliability, teamwork, and strong communication skills help individuals excel in this role. These skills and qualities are vital for maintaining safe, efficient waste disposal operations and ensuring environmental compliance.

What are common challenges faced by waste management laborers, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Waste Management Laborers often encounter physically demanding tasks, such as lifting heavy materials, working in varying weather conditions, and handling potentially hazardous waste. To address these challenges, it's important to use proper lifting techniques, wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), and follow established safety protocols. Teamwork and clear communication with supervisors and coworkers also help ensure tasks are completed efficiently and safely. Many employers provide ongoing safety training and support to help workers adapt and thrive in this environment.

What is a waste management laborer?

Waste Management Laborers are workers responsible for collecting, transporting, and disposing of waste materials from homes, businesses, and public areas. They may operate garbage trucks, handle recycling materials, and ensure that waste is properly sorted and processed according to environmental regulations. Their work helps keep communities clean, reduces health hazards, and supports recycling and sustainability efforts. Waste Management Laborers often work outdoors and may be required to lift heavy objects and follow strict safety protocols.
What are popular job titles related to Waste Management Laborer jobs in Washington? For Waste Management Laborer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Waste Management Laborer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Waste Management Laborer jobs in Washington are:
Infographic showing various Waste Management Laborer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,619 per year, or $20.5 per hour.

Senior Equipment Operator -Waste Management Services

Anne Arundel County, MD

MD • On-site

$52K - $84K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Anne Arundel County rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

770th of 845 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Salary : $52,250.00 - $84,906.00 Annually
Location : Anne Arundel County, MD
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 08031XX
Department: Public Works
Division: Waste Management
Opening Date: 04/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Description
The Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Bureau of Waste Management Services, is seeking an experienced heavy equipment operator to join our team at the Anne Arundel County's landfill. This is the highest level of skilled equipment operation, primarily involving heavy construction equipment. This is a full time, permanent, represented, and safety sensitive position.
NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK
This position is a key part of a team responsible for the safe and efficient operation of motorized heavy equipment at the Millersville Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility.
Responsibilities include loading and moving trash and other materials, compacting trash, and placing cover soil in accordance with established standards and regulatory requirements. Other routine projects include constructing temporary roadways, grinding yard waste, repairing and maintaining stormwater management features, and general landfill maintenance.
This role also involves training, developing, and certifying employees for higher-level Maintenance Worker and Equipment Operator classes. Employees in this class are expected to be specialists in the operation and preventive maintenance of a variety of vehicles and construction equipment, as well as skilled laborer duties in waste management services. This position interacts with managers, supervisors, other county employees, and the public, explaining laws, regulations, and providing information and assistance as needed.
The work requires considerable judgment with minimum supervision. An employee in this class can lead a crew, give directions to support employees, and may act in a supervisory capacity when necessary. Due to the nature of this work, an employee is expected to be available to work hours beyond the normal work week and respond to work emergencies when required. This is a safety-sensitive position requiring personal protective equipment (hard hats, safety shoes, safety vests) and considerable public contact, requiring courtesy and patience.
Examples of Duties and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Note: Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
  • Safely operating heavy equipment, including bulldozer, track loader, landfill compactor, excavator, and off-road trucks, to load and move trash and other materials, compact trash, and place cover soil in accordance with established standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Operating other vehicles and equipment such as a rubber tire loader, horizontal grinder, and water truck.
  • Performing equipment and vehicle inspections and minor preventative maintenance.
  • Conducting training classes and instructing employees on proper operation of heavy equipment and vehicles.
  • Certifying employee proficiency in proper operation of heavy equipment and vehicles.
  • Reading and understanding GPS software to determine grades and elevation.
  • Use standard survey methods for determining grades and elevations to construct landfill final outside slopes, cover terraces, drainage ditches, roads, and down chutes.
  • Responding to various types of emergencies such as snow, fire, hazmat, and other emergencies and call-outs during and after normal work hours.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Extensive knowledge of the operating characteristics and preventive maintenance requirements of heavy construction vehicles, equipment and power tools. Extensive knowledge of construction practices in maintaining roads, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, storm drains and setting of grade stakes. Extensive knowledge of the work hazards and applicable Federal, State and local laws concerning safety precautions required to be applied in operating construction equipment and power tools. Extensive knowledge of how to effectively and safely rig vehicles, loads and products for towing. Extensive knowledge of applicable traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to operating equipment. Extensive knowledge of the primary and secondary road system in Anne Arundel County. Extensive knowledge of Federal, State and County health regulations that pertain to the transporting and disposal of sewage, sewage sludge, recyclable items and solid waste. Extensive knowledge in excavating around buried utilities. Ability to train and instructs employees in the proper operation of construction vehicles and equipment. Ability to lead a maintenance crew in performing work assignments. Ability to read and follow engineer blue prints. Ability to read and follow street map directions. Ability to follow oral and written instructions. Ability to stand or walk over rough terrain for long periods of time. Ability to work in confined spaces requiring considerable bending, crouching, stretching or crawling. Ability to climb ladders or scaffolding. Ability to lift heavy objects and bulky items. Ability to work in dirty, noisy, dusty conditions where very disagreeable odors are present. Ability to work with dangerous hand and power tools. Ability to work hours beyond the standard workweek and schedule as required. Ability to establish effective working relationships with other employees. Ability to communicate effectively with the public, and employees.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Graduation from high school or vocational school.
Experience: Six (6) or more years of experience in the operation of heavy construction vehicles, equipment, and power tools.
Additional Requirements: A valid commercial Class A or B motor vehicle operator's license, as determined by area of assignment.
NOTE: Longevity pay is available based on years of service.
NOTE: This is a Safety Sensitive position and employees in this position are subject to Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) and Alcohol testing.
NOTE: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications and salary level and are not intended to include all of the essential functions of this position.
NOTE: A skills test, including the operation of heavy equipment, will be conducted as part of the interview process.
Supplemental Qualifications
Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following:
  • Possession of a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tanker endorsements or the ability to obtain the tanker endorsements within six (6) months of hire.
  • Six (6) or more years of experience operating heavy landfill equipment, including but not limited to: Landfill Compactor, Tracked Bulldozer, Tracked Loader, Tracked Excavator, Rubber Tire Loader, Articulating Dump Truck, Water Tanker Truck, and Horizontal Grinder.
  • Experience with landfill operations and solid waste placement and compaction.
  • Extensive customer service experience.
  • The ability to work frequent mandatory overtime.

  • Medical/Health Insurance Plans
    • BlueChoice Advantage EPO
    • BlueChoice Advantage PPO
  • Dental Insurance
    • CIGNA Dental PPO (Buy-Up)
    • CIGNA Dental PPO (CORE)
    • CIGNA Dental HMO (DHMO)
  • Vision Insurance
    • EyeMed
  • Employee Life Insurance
    • Term insurance of $10,000 for employees at no cost.
    • Ability to purchase Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
  • Disability Income Insurance
  • Pension Plan
    • Normal retirement after 30 years of service or Age 60 and 10 years of service or election to enroll in the Employees Retirement Savings Plan.
  • Deferred Compensation Section 457 Plan
  • Direct Deposit
  • Credit Union
  • Holidays
    • Twelve days provided per calendar year, thirteen in general election year
  • Annual Leave
    • Less than 5 years - 13 days
    • 5 years to less than 10 years - 15 days
    • 10 years to less than 20 years - 20 days
    • 20 years or more- 26 days
    • Some positions will receive additional paid annual leave in lieu of holidays and personal leave.
  • Disability Leave
    • Accrual at a rate of 15 days a year
  • Personal Leave Day, five per calendar year
  • Leave Sharing
  • Employee Assistance Program
    • Free, confidential counseling for employee and family members 4X per year per problem per family member; also counseling on legal and financial issues; assistance in locating childcare and elder care
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
    • Dependent Care Reimbursement
    • Health Care Reimbursement
  • Voluntary Benefits
    • Provides you an opportunity to enroll in any or all of the benefits listed below with the convenience of payroll deduction
    • Universal Life Insurance with Long Term Care Rider
    • United Legal Benefits

01
The supplemental questions are a very important first step in our screening process. Therefore, you are required to accurately and completely respond to each question by providing the information asked in each question. Your responses will be used to initially determine your qualifications and eligibility for this position. DO NOT INDICATE "SEE RESUME" OR CUT AND PASTE YOUR RESUME IN RESPONSE TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS.This response and a lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application may result in failure or disqualification for this position. THIS MEANS YOU MAY BE INELIGIBLE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION IN THIS RECRUITMENT PROCESS. Please check "yes" to show that you have read and understand this statement.
  • Yes
  • No

02
This position is "Safety Sensitive". This means, employees in this position are subject to Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) and Alcohol testing. Please check "yes" if you understand this condition of employment.
  • Yes
  • No

03
Did you Graduate from high school or vocational school?
  • Yes
  • No

04
Do you have six (6) or more years of experience operating heavy landfill equipment, which may include the following equipment: Landfill Compactor, Tracked Bulldozer, Tracked Loader, Tracked Excavator, Horizontal Grinder, Rubber Tire Loader, Articulating Dump Truck, and Water Tanker Truck?
  • Yes
  • No

05
If you answered yes to the question above, please provide the details of that experience. Include Job Title, Job Duties, and Dates of Service. This experience MUST be listed in the Work Experience section.
06
Do you have a valid commercial Class A or B motor vehicle operator's license?
  • Yes
  • No

07
Please list what license you possess.
08
Do you possess a Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with tanker endorsements or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire?
  • Yes
  • No

09
Please indicate the equipment in which you have experience working with.
  • Landfill Compactor
  • Track Bulldozer
  • Tracked Loader
  • Tracked Excavator
  • Rubber Tire Loader
  • Articulating Dump Truck
  • Water Tanker Truck
  • Horizontal Grinder.
  • No experience

10
Do you have experience with landfill related operations such as determining grades and elevations using GPS software or standard survey methods, and solid waste placement and compaction?
  • Yes
  • No

11
If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please provide the details of that experience to include Job Title, Job Duties, and Dates of Service. This experience MUST be listed in the Work Experience section.
12
Do you possess six (6) or more years of experience in the operation of heavy construction vehicles, equipment, and power tools.
  • Yes
  • No

13
If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please provide the details of that experience, to include Job Title, Job Duties, and Dates of Service. This experience MUST be listed in the Work Experience section.
14
Do you have extensive customer service experience?
  • Yes
  • No

15
If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please provide the details of that experience, to include Job Title, Job Duties, and Dates of Service. This experience MUST be listed in the Work Experience section.
16
Do you have the ability to work frequent mandatory overtime?
  • Yes
  • No

17
Did a county employee refer you? If yes, indicate their name, department and badge/id number. If you weren't referred by an Employee indicate N/A.
Required Question

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