Job Purpose

The Digger Driver/Excavator Operator plays a critical role in the daily throughput of our waste management facility. You will be responsible for safely and efficiently operating 360-degree tracked or wheeled excavators (often equipped with selector grabs, buckets, or shears) to move, sort, stack, and load various waste materials into processing machinery, shredders, or transport vehicles.

Key Responsibilities

1. Machine Operation & Material Handling

· Safely operate heavy excavators with various attachments (grabs, buckets, magnets, etc.) in a high-density, fast-paced environment.

· Feed processing equipment (such as shredders, screeners, and balers) with a continuous and steady flow of raw material.

· Load bulk transport trailers and ejectors efficiently, ensuring payloads are optimized and secured without exceeding legal weight limits.

2. Routine Maintenance & Inspection

· Conduct mandatory pre-start (daily) and post-start inspection checklists on the assigned machinery (checking oil levels, coolant, hydraulics, tracks/tyres, bucket teeth, and hoses).

· Report any mechanical faults, damage, or wear and tear immediately to the maintenance team or Site Supervisor.

· Keep the operator cab clean, tidy, and free of hazards.

· Assist with basic maintenance tasks (e.g., greasing pins, cleaning filters, and refuelling) as required.

3. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

· Strictly adhere to all site safety rules, speed limits, and traffic management plans.

· Maintain high spatial awareness of surrounding ground staff, pedestrian walkways, and other heavy mobile plant vehicles (shovels, telehandlers, trucks).

· Correctly use and maintain all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including high-visibility clothing, safety boots, hard hat, and respiratory protection if required.

· Ensure material stockpiles are maintained at safe heights and configurations to prevent collapse or fire hazards.

· Report all near-misses, accidents, and unsafe conditions immediately.

4. General Team Support

· Work closely with the Supervisor, weighbridge staff, and management to coordinate material flow.

· Assist with general yard housekeeping and clearing debris to ensure a clean and safe working environment.

· Adapt to changing site priorities and support other operational areas when requested.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

· Experience: Minimum of 1–2 years of experience operating heavy excavators, preferably within a waste management, recycling, quarrying, or heavy demolition setting.

· Safety Awareness: A strong, demonstrable commitment to workplace safety, with an understanding of risks associated with working around pedestrian sorters and dust/noise hazards.

· Communication: Good verbal communication skills to coordinate with yard staff and drivers via two-way radio.

Desired:

· Prior experience operating other heavy machinery (e.g., loading shovels, telehandlers, or material handlers with elevated cabs).