Equipment Operator Jobs in Ohio
Equipment Operator jobs in Ohio are in steady demand, with consistent openings tied to the state's active construction, mining, and infrastructure sectors at levels from entry-level to experienced lead operator. Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati are the busiest hiring markets, anchored by large contractors and industrial players like ODOT, Kokosing Construction, and Shelly & Sands that maintain ongoing equipment operator rosters. Grading, excavation, and utility corridor work represent the most in-demand specialties across Ohio projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Equipment Operator JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 105+ Equipment Operator jobs
Pay Range: $20-22
Shift: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-3:30pm, occasional weekends as necessary
What is the value of a WM Job? At WM we know that the value of a WM job is more than a paycheck. It's a way to create opportunities for you and your family. This is why we are constantly working to make WM a great place to work and grow a career.
We Are Always Working For A Sustainable Tomorrow®: Our mission is to leave the world a better place than we found it by helping its inhabitants find purpose in becoming its caretakers.
We Are People First: The members of the WM family are the foundation for our success. We foster an environment where all teammates feel welcomed, valued and seen.
We Are Committed to Your Growth: Your Tomorrow Education Assistance Program, paid on-the-job training, and established career progression.
We Are Stable: From the front line to the corporate offices, our team members perform essential and meaningful work.
We Are a Family: At WM we are over 60,000 people - from many places and many backgrounds, and it is our amazing differences that make us stronger.
We Are Investing in You: Amazing Medical, Dental & Vision, 401K with match, discounted stock options, dependent day care, and more!
Ready to roll with us? Click Apply to join the WM team today.
What is the value of a WM Job? At WM we know that the value of a WM job is more than a paycheck. It's a way to create opportunities for you and your family. This is why we are constantly working to make WM a great place to work and grow a career.
We Are Always Working For A Sustainable Tomorrow®: Our mission is to leave the world a better place than we found it by helping its inhabitants find purpose in becoming its caretakers.
We Are People First: The members of the WM family are the foundation for our success. We foster an environment where all teammates feel welcomed, valued and seen.
We Are Committed to Your Growth: Your Tomorrow Education Assistance Program, paid on-the-job training, and established career progression.
We Are Stable: From the front line to the corporate offices, our team members perform essential and meaningful work.
We Are a Family: At WM we are over 60,000 people - from many places and many backgrounds, and it is our amazing differences that make us stronger.
We Are Investing in You: Amazing Medical, Dental & Vision, 401K with match, discounted stock options, dependent day care, and more!
Ready to roll with us? Click Apply to join the WM team today.
I. Job Summary
Operates several equipment types including but not limited to baler, front-end loader, bobcat, candensifier, or forklift to transport or bind paper or other loose materials to facilitate handling by performing the following duties.
II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Must be cross-trained and multi-functional on several equipment types including baler, loader, bobcat, candensifier, forklift, etc.
- Sorts and grades material.
- Fills and operates candensifier.
- Records materials or items received or distributed and marks materials with identifying information.
- Maintains inventory records.
- Compiles worksheets or tickets from customer specifications.
- Insures material is being fed properly onto conveyor.
- Coordinates flow of material.
- Starts baler up on time, reads monitor which displays functions of baler and reacts quickly to machine prompts and alarms, and ensure proper operation.
- Monitors and documents downtime.
- Insures safety around working areas.
- Checks quality of material before it is baled or shipped.
- Coordinates with MRF Manager to see what material needs to be baled or shipped.
- Performs routine maintenance and daily inspection on equipment such as lubricating, fueling, and cleaning.
- Keeps supply of wire on hand for baler.
- Operates loader, forklift, bobcat, or other equipment to move material to designated area.
- Keeps surrounding work areas clean.
- Unloads, tags, and stacks material in proper rows by raising and lowering lifting device.
- Loads or unloads materials into or out of trailers and railcars.
- Moves material from baler.
- Dumps containers, bins, and gaylords of materials.
- Reads loading, unloading sheets and bills of ladings.
- Completes necessary load and unload tally sheets.
- Inspects and grades wastepaper that is received at plant.
- Ensures vehicle condition reports are filled out properly as required by corporate guidelines.
- Complies with all safety policies and procedures.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
III. Qualifications
A. Required Qualifications
- 3 years of previous work experience.
- Manufacturing\Forklift Certification Upon Hire
B. Preferred Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED
IV. Physical Requirements
Listed below are key points regarding physical demands, physical and occupational risks, and the work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Field: This job operates in both inside gas plant conditions as well as in outside conditions that include inclement weather, heat and humidity.
This role is designated as safety sensitive and will require the successful candidate to strictly comply with all safety rules and protocols. As part of the ongoing employment requirements, the successful candidate may be subject to drug and alcohol testing—including pre‑employment screening, post‑incident evaluations, reasonable suspicion checks, and random testing—in accordance with government regulations and company policies.
V. Benefits
At WM, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability. In addition, we offer a stock purchase plan, company matching on a 401(k), and more. Employees also receive paid vacation, holidays, and personal days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.
If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for, please click Apply.
Pay Range: $20-22
Shift: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-3:30pm, occasional weekends as necessary
What is the value of a WM Job? At WM we know that the value of a WM job is more than a paycheck. It's a way to create opportunities for you and your family. This is why we are constantly working to make WM a great place to work and grow a career.
We Are Always Working For A Sustainable Tomorrow®: Our mission is to leave the world a better place than we found it by helping its inhabitants find purpose in becoming its caretakers.
We Are People First: The members of the WM family are the foundation for our success. We foster an environment where all teammates feel welcomed, valued and seen.
We Are Committed to Your Growth: Your Tomorrow Education Assistance Program, paid on-the-job training, and established career progression.
We Are Stable: From the front line to the corporate offices, our team members perform essential and meaningful work.
We Are a Family: At WM we are over 60,000 people - from many places and many backgrounds, and it is our amazing differences that make us stronger.
We Are Investing in You: Amazing Medical, Dental & Vision, 401K with match, discounted stock options, dependent day care, and more!
Ready to roll with us? Click Apply to join the WM team today.
What is the value of a WM Job? At WM we know that the value of a WM job is more than a paycheck. It's a way to create opportunities for you and your family. This is why we are constantly working to make WM a great place to work and grow a career.
We Are Always Working For A Sustainable Tomorrow®: Our mission is to leave the world a better place than we found it by helping its inhabitants find purpose in becoming its caretakers.
We Are People First: The members of the WM family are the foundation for our success. We foster an environment where all teammates feel welcomed, valued and seen.
We Are Committed to Your Growth: Your Tomorrow Education Assistance Program, paid on-the-job training, and established career progression.
We Are Stable: From the front line to the corporate offices, our team members perform essential and meaningful work.
We Are a Family: At WM we are over 60,000 people - from many places and many backgrounds, and it is our amazing differences that make us stronger.
We Are Investing in You: Amazing Medical, Dental & Vision, 401K with match, discounted stock options, dependent day care, and more!
Ready to roll with us? Click Apply to join the WM team today.
I. Job Summary
Operates several equipment types including but not limited to baler, front-end loader, bobcat, candensifier, or forklift to transport or bind paper or other loose materials to facilitate handling by performing the following duties.
II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Must be cross-trained and multi-functional on several equipment types including baler, loader, bobcat, candensifier, forklift, etc.
- Sorts and grades material.
- Fills and operates candensifier.
- Records materials or items received or distributed and marks materials with identifying information.
- Maintains inventory records.
- Compiles worksheets or tickets from customer specifications.
- Insures material is being fed properly onto conveyor.
- Coordinates flow of material.
- Starts baler up on time, reads monitor which displays functions of baler and reacts quickly to machine prompts and alarms, and ensure proper operation.
- Monitors and documents downtime.
- Insures safety around working areas.
- Checks quality of material before it is baled or shipped.
- Coordinates with MRF Manager to see what material needs to be baled or shipped.
- Performs routine maintenance and daily inspection on equipment such as lubricating, fueling, and cleaning.
- Keeps supply of wire on hand for baler.
- Operates loader, forklift, bobcat, or other equipment to move material to designated area.
- Keeps surrounding work areas clean.
- Unloads, tags, and stacks material in proper rows by raising and lowering lifting device.
- Loads or unloads materials into or out of trailers and railcars.
- Moves material from baler.
- Dumps containers, bins, and gaylords of materials.
- Reads loading, unloading sheets and bills of ladings.
- Completes necessary load and unload tally sheets.
- Inspects and grades wastepaper that is received at plant.
- Ensures vehicle condition reports are filled out properly as required by corporate guidelines.
- Complies with all safety policies and procedures.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
III. Qualifications
A. Required Qualifications
- 3 years of previous work experience.
- Manufacturing\Forklift Certification Upon Hire
B. Preferred Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED
IV. Physical Requirements
Listed below are key points regarding physical demands, physical and occupational risks, and the work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Field: This job operates in both inside gas plant conditions as well as in outside conditions that include inclement weather, heat and humidity.
This role is designated as safety sensitive and will require the successful candidate to strictly comply with all safety rules and protocols. As part of the ongoing employment requirements, the successful candidate may be subject to drug and alcohol testing—including pre‑employment screening, post‑incident evaluations, reasonable suspicion checks, and random testing—in accordance with government regulations and company policies.
V. Benefits
At WM, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability. In addition, we offer a stock purchase plan, company matching on a 401(k), and more. Employees also receive paid vacation, holidays, and personal days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.
If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for, please click Apply.
See All 105+ Equipment Operator Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Equipment Operator JobsEquipment Operator Jobs by City in Ohio
Where Ohio roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Equipment Operator Job Market in Ohio
A snapshot from current Ohio openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Waste Management & Environmental Services
- Retail
What Ohio Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in equipment operator jobs across Ohio.
- Valid CDL or heavy equipment certification recognized by the Ohio BMV
- Proven experience operating excavators, bulldozers, or graders on commercial job sites
- Ability to read and interpret construction blueprints and grade stakes
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 construction safety certification
- Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and physical fitness evaluation
- Willingness to work outdoors in variable Ohio weather conditions year-round
Equipment Operator Jobs in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a equipment operator in Ohio?
The most direct path in Ohio is completing an apprenticeship through the Operating Engineers Local 18, which is the primary union training program for heavy equipment operators in the state. Apprentices log classroom hours alongside paid on-the-job training. Outside of union programs, community colleges with construction technology programs offer certificates that Ohio contractors recognize. A valid Ohio CDL strengthens candidacy for roles that involve equipment transport.
Which companies hire equipment operators in Ohio?
Ohio equipment operator roles are posted by Arhaus, Abbott, and ConGlobal and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Ohio's concentration of highway expansion, utility, and commercial development projects keeps a wide range of contractors and public agencies posting regularly throughout the year.
Which Ohio cities have the most equipment operator jobs?
Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton account for the most equipment operator openings in Ohio. Columbus drives the highest volume due to its sustained commercial and highway construction activity, while Cleveland and Cincinnati generate steady demand from industrial redevelopment projects and the large regional contractors headquartered in and around those metros.
Are there remote equipment operator jobs in Ohio?
Yes, but they're rare. Equipment operator work is fundamentally hands-on and site-based, so fully remote positions don't apply to most of the role. About 0% of equipment operator openings tied to Ohio are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those are almost exclusively dispatch coordination or project supervision positions rather than operating roles.
How can I get hired as a equipment operator in Ohio with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is applying to the Operating Engineers Local 18 apprenticeship program, which accepts applicants with no prior experience and provides paid training from day one. Ohio contractors like Kokosing and Shelly and Sands also bring on laborers for site support roles where operators-in-training can log seat time. Earning an OSHA 10 card before applying gives candidates a concrete edge in the screening process.
Where can I find and apply to equipment operator jobs in Ohio?
You can find and apply to equipment operator jobs in Ohio on Migrate Mate, which lists current Ohio openings from contractors, public agencies, and industrial employers. Find roles that fit your equipment experience and location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 105+ Equipment Operator Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Equipment Operator Jobs