Maintenance Specialist-Solid Waste

Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Job Hubs career section to apply for this position.

The mission of Yakima County Government is to provide accessible, responsive and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs.

Our Values:

• Integrity

• Common Sense

• Innovation

• Accountability

Position Data:

Maintenance Specialist-J23-U13-H

Extra Help Intermittent On Call

Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)

Overview:

Job Description Summary
Pay Range: $21.29 - 27.00 per hour (Teamsters-Solid Waste Pay Plan, B21 Step 1-13)
Hiring Range: $21.29 - $22.60 (Teamster-Solid Waste Pay Plan, B21 Step 1-4 DOQ)

Job Closing Date: December 31, 2026

*Weekly reviews will occur every Monday, beginning April 27, 2026.*

There are multiple openings for the Maintenance Specialist position with the Yakima County Solid Waste Division. This is an intermittent, on-call, extra help, temporary position.
This position performs essential operating support tasks that facilitates the safe and smooth daily operations at the Solid Waste Division. Support work includes but is not limited to landfill operations, transfer station operations, septage lagoon operations, gas collection system operations, scale house support, and assisting the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Benefits included in position:
-Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
-Retirement Benefits
-Paid Vacation
-Paid Holidays
-Paid Sick Leave

Note: This is a Teamsters Bargaining Unit position

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Department of Corrections)

Responsibilities:

Essential Duties:

Operates, inspects, and maintains soil vapor extraction systems and flares, landfill gas collection systems, irrigation systems, performs semi-annual or as needed maintenance on the weighing scales, vapor wells, water wells, stormwater collection systems and pumps. Maintains septage lagoon operations, making repairs as necessary. Follows established troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures to determine malfunction and repairs needed.

Identifies and segregates hazardous waste, recyclables and municipal solid waste at the landfills and transfer stations under established procedures. Ability to recognize fire hazards, such as lithium batteries, pool chemicals, burn barrels, hot loads and handle hazards in an appropriate and safe manner. Responds to fires using proper equipment and methods to extinguish. Alerts management of any fires that meet Title V reporting requirements.  Inspects fire extinguishers, fire bombs, hose reels to ensure they are in working order and replaces as necessary. Conducts waste audits at all Solid Waste Division facilities. Assists as needed in the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, removing refrigerant, bulking obp, sorting waste, etc.

Performs ground maintenance activities including mowing, trimming, weeding, planting, picking up litter and pruning trees. Monitors weather station to ensure we are operating within the Inclement Weather Policy.  Plows scales, constructs and maintains wind fences, operates magnet attachment to remove hazards from landfill/transfer station roads, puts up new signage as needed including setting the posts, and assists with recycling program, constructing displays and/or providing education.

Performs semi-skilled work involving operations of vehicles which does not require a CDL. Performs daily pre-start vehicle inspection, operational checks and maintenance activities, reports repairs as needed.  Mixes the Alternate Daily Cover and loads the applicating machine. Operates forklift as necessary to unload shipments or move materials.  Transports fuels to heavy equipment at the landfill face, fuels equipment, making sure they have adequate fuel to operate.

Ensures personal and public safety while performing duties. Directs customers in the transfer station and/or landfill to maintain safe distances from Heavy Equipment, works closely with loader operator to ensure the safety of employees and customers. Must remain alert and aware of surroundings at all times.  Provides assistance and customer service to facility users including explaining program rules and regulations. Comes up with innovative ideas for traffic awareness and customer safety.

Other duties required

Education and Experience:

High School or (G.E.D.) plus three (3) years of previous maintenance experience, hazardous waste experience, solid waste experience, water treatment facility experience, ground maintenance experience or a related field that shows a mechanical or technical aptitude, such as welding, plumbing, irrigation installation or repair, construction, etc.

Required:   

Valid Washington State Driver’s License and proof of insurance, if requested.

Successful completion of general employment verification

To be obtained within one year of hire:  Certified Forklift Operator, Blood Borne Pathogen Training, Fire Extinguisher Training, Defensive Driving Certification, 40-hour HAZWOPER certification or equivalent training within one year of appointment.

Hepatitis B vaccine or the ability to obtain within 1 year of employment (request for vaccination waiver must be in writing).

Respirator fit testing within 6 months of employment.

Preferred:  

Certified Flagger, Hazardous Waste training, Solid Waste experience.

Equipment Used:

Forklift, weed-eater, mower, scissor lift, generators, two-way radio or other means of communication, hand and power tools, vehicles, pumps, etc. Personal Protective Equipment such as steel toed boots; cotton, leather, or chemical-resistant gloves; coveralls; safety vest; ear protection, respirator and safety glasses.

Working Conditions:

Excessive noise, Bending, Balancing, Ability to multitask, Exposure to weather, Carrying, Climbing, Confidentiality, Extreme temperatures, Handling, Crawling, Ability to work under pressure, Moving/mechanical parts, Lifting, Crouching, Ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, Pathogen exposure, Pulling, Kneeling, Ability to follow written instruction

Vibration, Pushing, Reclining, Ability to follow verbal instruction, Travel, Reaching, Hearing, Multiple work location, Sitting, Smelling, Work in locked down facility(s), Standing, Talking, Field Work, Walking, Visual Acuity, Fingering.

Heavy Work:  Exerting up to or in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work is performed out in the field.

Knowledge:

Facility maintenance techniques, safety precautions related to waste segregation and disposal, customer service techniques, trouble shooting and repair techniques.

Skills (and abilities):

Performing activities related to maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of mechanical systems and grounds maintenance; applying a working knowledge of possible exposure to biological and/or chemical contaminants; determining a course of action related to potential contamination; effective and positive interaction with the public, businesses, contractors and haulers; applying customer service techniques; establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels and with the public; and both oral and written communication sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

“AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”
Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person’s age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish the information.

Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information.

Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.