Lead Operator in Madison, North Carolina at Wall Recycling

Lead Operator – Rockingham Landfill

Company Overview

At Liberty Waste Solutions, we're redefining waste management by delivering reliable, safety-focused, and environmentally responsible solutions. Our Rockingham Landfill is a key component of our post-collection network, providing safe and compliant disposal of construction and demolition debris and other permitted materials. We are seeking an experienced Lead Operator to support daily landfill operations while maintaining the highest standards of safety, environmental compliance, customer service, and operational efficiency.

Position Summary

The Lead Operator is a hands-on operational leadership position responsible for supporting the Landfill Operations Manager with the safe, efficient, and compliant day-to-day operation of the Rockingham Landfill. This position serves as the operational lead in the field and assists with coordinating daily work activities, landfill operations, equipment utilization, working-face management, environmental compliance, site inspections, and customer traffic.

The Lead Operator does not have direct reports but is expected to provide day-to-day operational direction to employees as assigned by the Landfill Operations Manager. This position is expected to lead by example, communicate operational expectations, identify and report issues, and help ensure employees follow established operating procedures, safety requirements, and permit conditions.

Core Responsibilities

• Support the Landfill Operations Manager with all daily landfill operations, including waste acceptance, placement, compaction, grading, and cover application.
• Maintain a controlled and properly sized working face and assist with maximizing landfill airspace through proper waste placement, lift thickness, compaction techniques, and equipment operating practices.
• Operate heavy equipment as a primary function of the position, including landfill compactors, dozers, excavators, wheel loaders, haul trucks, water trucks, motor graders, skid steers, and other equipment as needed.
• Provide day-to-day operational direction to equipment operators and other site employees as assigned by the Landfill Operations Manager, while recognizing that the Lead Operator does not have direct supervisory responsibility for employees.
• Monitor working-face operations throughout the day and ensure proper waste placement, compaction, cover, traffic flow, litter control, and housekeeping.
• Assist with implementing and following the facility's Permit to Operate (PTO), Operations Plan, Site Operating Plans (SOPs), environmental permits, and company policies.
• Conduct routine site inspections and immediately identify and report operational, safety, environmental, equipment, or compliance concerns to the Landfill Operations Manager.
• Assist with environmental compliance activities, including stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, waste screening, landfill gas, groundwater monitoring activities, and other permit requirements as directed.
• Ensure only approved materials are accepted and properly managed in accordance with the facility permit and operating requirements.
• Coordinate with scale house personnel to support accurate waste tracking, customer traffic, and communication between the scale house and working face.
• Assist with maintaining safe and efficient traffic patterns for customers, commercial vehicles, employees, contractors, and heavy equipment throughout the facility.
• Monitor equipment condition and promptly report mechanical issues, damage, or maintenance needs.
• Assist with coordinating preventative maintenance and repairs to maximize equipment availability and minimize operational downtime.
• Perform daily equipment inspections and ensure required pre-trip/post-trip inspections and equipment documentation are completed accurately.
• Assist with daily crew meetings, toolbox talks, and communication of operational priorities, safety expectations, environmental requirements, and production goals.
• Reinforce proper PPE use, safe equipment operation, traffic-control procedures, and company safety policies.
• Assist with incident investigations, site inspections, corrective actions, and operational documentation as requested by the Landfill Operations Manager.
• Support contractors, consultants, and construction crews working on-site by helping coordinate their activities with daily landfill operations.
• Monitor site conditions including haul roads, drainage, slopes, working face, cover, litter, stockpiles, stormwater controls, and general housekeeping.
• Assist with tracking operational performance, including tonnage, equipment utilization, compaction, airspace usage, cover practices, and other operating metrics.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and professional facility and immediately address or report conditions that do not meet company expectations.
• Serve as the operational lead when the Landfill Operations Manager is temporarily unavailable, within the authority assigned by management.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, environmental stewardship, teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in landfill operations, heavy construction, mining, quarry operations, waste management, or a similar heavy industrial environment preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of heavy equipment operating experience in a production environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to safely and proficiently operate landfill compactors, dozers, excavators, wheel loaders, and other heavy equipment.
• Working knowledge of landfill operations, including waste placement, compaction, grading, cover application, working-face management, and traffic control.
• Understanding of environmental compliance requirements and the importance of operating within facility permits, plans, and SOPs.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, NCDEQ, stormwater, erosion and sediment control, and applicable landfill safety and environmental requirements preferred.
• Ability to provide operational direction and leadership to coworkers without direct supervisory authority.
• Strong communication, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify operational, equipment, safety, and environmental issues and communicate them promptly to management.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Ability to safely perform physically demanding work and operate heavy equipment for extended periods.
• Basic computer skills and ability to complete operational and inspection documentation.
• Valid driver's license required.

Why Liberty Waste Solutions?

• Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid holidays, and paid time off.
• Career advancement opportunities within a growing regional environmental services company.
• Collaborative leadership team focused on safety, compliance, operational excellence, and employee development.