DISPOSAL SITE OPERATIONS LEAD

County of S a nta Cruz
INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR:

Disposal Site Operations
Lead

Supplemental Questionnaire Required

Open and Promotional
Job # 26-MW3-01

Salary: $7,186– 9,089 / Month

Closing Date: Friday, March 20, 2026

County Equity Statemen t

Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces
individuals of every status, providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.
Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access,

fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

The ideal candidate is a dependable, service-oriented professional with strong leadership
skills and experience in solid waste or recycling operations. They lead by example,
prioritizing safety, efficiency, and excellent customer service while ensuring site policies and
procedures are consistently followed.
This candidate has experience directing daily operations, supporting and training staff in
equipment use and safety practices, and stepping into a supervisory role as needed. They
effectively address operational and personnel issues, assist with scheduling and
performance evaluation, and foster a positive, team-focused work environment.

THE JOB: Under direction, serve as a lead worker for employees engaged in general
maintenance, recycling operations, material transport, scale house functions at the
County’s Disposal Sites; assign work to operational staff; determine work methods to be
used; observe and direct the work; solve problems that occur; operate heavy equipment;
assist with loading transfer trucks and support the Public Works Supervisors in site
operations as-needed basis; and perform other duties as required. Disposal Site

Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Apply online at: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Operations Leads are to work at both the Buena Vista Landfill and the Ben Lomond Transfer
Station. Both facilities are open and staffed six days a week (closed Sundays), including
most holidays. The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and
future vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience, which would provide
the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way
to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Two years of experience in recycling or solid waste operations, including diversion sorting,
equipment operation, and adherence to safety procedures. One year of grounds
maintenance experience may be substituted for one year of the required solid waste or
recycling experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, CONDITIONS:

License: Possession of a valid California class A driver license. Possess and maintain a valid
Cal OSHA forklift certification within three months of hire.

Other Special Requirements: Alcohol and drug tests will be administered to all candidates
prior to final selection for positions requiring class A or B driver licenses upon entry and to
employees in positions requiring these licenses as mandated by Department of
Transportation federal regulations. In addition, all candidates must provide specific
employment history for up to the past ten years for all jobs they have held which required
operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Availability to work irregular hours, including
working weekends and holidays.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of safety procedures and practices related to Recycling
and Solid Waste Operations; basic operations and services of the Recycling and Solid
Waste services program; tools, equipment, vehicles, and materials utilized in solid waste
operations. Working knowledge of laws, ordinances and regulations governing solid waste
disposal. Some knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and training; the
capabilities, operation and maintenance of light and heavy equipment; methods,
equipment and materials used in the program assignment; occupational hazards and
safety standards and practices of the program assignment.

Ability to: Assist the supervisor in recycling and diversion oversight, preparing staff work
schedules, and in evaluating their work performance; drive and operate vehicles, such as
automobiles, utility and pick-up trucks, construction equipment and material handling
equipment; train subordinates in proper work procedures and safety practices; solve a
variety of technical and personnel problems; assist the supervisor in the operation of a
disposal site on an as-needed basis; act as site supervisor as needed in the absence of the
supervisor; develop and maintain effective working relationships with others; understand,

explain and apply applicable laws, rules and regulations; walk over rough terrain; lift items
weighing up to 75 pounds; perform heavy physical labor for extended periods of time and
under all types of outdoor weather conditions.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to
determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing
requirements as stated in the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of
the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral
and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience
as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all
components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be
eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established
without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be
six months, and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and
supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is necessary to administer
another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain
on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an
application and supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources
Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831)
454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications will meet the final filing date if
received: 1) in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2)
submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Women, people of color and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have
a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies
that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available
for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most
plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible
dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible
dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on
provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit
determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social
Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life
insurance.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the
State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll
deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care
may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax
program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax
program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.

Note: Provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

County of Santa Cruz
www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

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