Equipment Operator Jobs in Wisconsin
Equipment Operator jobs in Wisconsin are in strong demand, concentrated in construction, road building, aggregates mining, and infrastructure maintenance across a state that invests heavily in transportation and land development. The largest hiring activity centers on Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay, where contractors and municipalities run ongoing operations year-round. Established employers including Michels Corporation, Walbec Group, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation regularly hire operators at every level, from entry-level ground workers to senior grade and paving specialists. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Outagamie County Core Values
Invested in Serving
Better Together
Create Progress
Support Through Compassion
Position Purpose
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Outagamie County Recycling and Solid Waste
Reporting to the Solid Waste Operations Supervisor, the Equipment Operator I (Solid Waste) performs generalized labor skills and provides light and/or heavy equipment operational support involving Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Operations.
Hours: Monday–Friday: 7:00 AM–3:30 PM
Saturday Rotation: Approximately one Saturday per month, 7:00 AM–1:00 PM
Outagamie County Offers a Comprehensive Benefits Package:
- Health, Dental, Vision options with an Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account.
- Life Insurance
- Short term and Long term Disability
- Vacation, Comp Time, Sick Leave, Paid Holidays
- Continuing Education
- Retirement Options:
- Deferred Comp (Public Sector Retirement Savings Plan)
- Wisconsin Retirement System (retirement plan which the county pays a portion and employee pays a portion) **8th Largest Pension Fund in the U.S./25th Largest Public or Private Pension in the world!
Learn more today by visiting: https://www.outagamie.gov/Our-County/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefits-Information
Key Responsibilities
The following duties are most critical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Operates roll off truck.
- Operates other equipment at various locations on site in support of landfill diversion or other resource recovery programs.
- Receives basic equipment training on landfill haul trucks, sweepers, tractor/mowers, loaders, dozers, landfill compaction equipment, excavators, shredders, backhoes, etc.
- Performs hand work using a variety of hand tools such as shovels, rakes, brooms etc.
- Picks up litter and debris; works independently or with a work crew.
- Maintains, cleans, and washes equipment, vehicles, and facilities.
- Services; changes oil, grease, and fuel; and makes minor repairs and adjustments to equipment, works with the mechanics as necessary.
- Completes and submits records of time, location, materials, and equipment used on each project.
- Performs daily pre-trip inspections and routine, preventive maintenance services on equipment.
- Performs minor equipment repairs and reports mechanical issues to appropriate staff.
- Installs daily spray on or other alternative landfill cover systems.
- Operates equipment at transfer station, loads transfer trucks.
- Assists in the installation and maintenance of the landfill gas collection system.
- Receives training in operating refuse compactors and bulldozers by spreading and compacting refuse.
- Receives training in spreading landfill covers, maintaining landfill slopes and surface areas with track type equipment.
- Receives training on loaders, balers, forklifts, conveyor and other ancillary equipment in the single stream recycling facility.
- Performs spotter or traffic control as needed.
- Performs miscellaneous facility and grounds upkeep and maintenance.
Education/Certifications/Experience Requirements
- Graduate from high school or G.E.D.
- Equipment Operator I, sound general labor skills and apprentice level experience in the operation of light duty equipment.
- Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of all required pre-employment screenings, which may include a background check, drug screening, audiogram, and any other job-related evaluations required by the County.
- Within one year of employment valid State of Wisconsin Commercial Driver's License Class B with endorsement N (Tanker) is preferred but not required. As well as the ability to legally operate Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV's) with Air Brakes. On-site training provided.
Required or Preferred Skills
- Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to harmonize and align with the mission/vision/purpose/core values/goals of the Department and comply with all policies, and procedures of the Outagamie County Work Rules and Terms of Employment.
- Demonstrated ability to comply with appropriate safety regulations.
- Ability to effectively communicate in English and understand and follow written and oral instructions.
- Ability to work semi-independently making sound decisions using good judgment.
- Ability to use tact and diplomacy when dealing with co-workers, county officials and officers, general public, etc.
- Demonstrated reliability in attendance and flexibility to work hours, especially in adverse weather conditions.
- Ability to organize and maintain accurate and complete records, and prepare clear and comprehensive reports
- Knowledge of and ability to operate and service trucks, tractors, and light equipment.
- Knowledge of traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations involved in equipment operation.
- Ability to work in adverse weather conditions, and cope with distracting vibrations, fumes, dust, etc.
- Ability to read gauges, dials, etc.
- Ability to budget time and schedule work to efficiently complete tasks.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and figure simple mathematical calculations.
- Ability to organize and schedule work effectively and cooperatively with co-workers.
- Ability to walk, bend, stoop, lift, carry; push, pull, and otherwise move objects up to 50 pounds regularly and up to 100 pounds occasionally, understanding and utilizing proper body mechanics.
- Stand/walk
- Sit (driving/operating equipment)
- Lift/carry up to 100 lbs. floor to 3'7" (3'7" height of pickup truck bed)
- Push/pull
- Climbing (on/off equipment)
- Stooping
- Kneeling
- Bending
- Crawling
- Reaching: high/low level
- Finger movement-repetitive
- Repetitive twisting/pressure with wrist or hands
- Both hands required
- Both legs required
- Ability to communicate verbally
- Visual requirements for operator moving machinery/vehicles
Outagamie County offers Benefit options and paid time off for team members that work 20+ or more hours per week. Learn more today by visiting: https://www.outagamie.org/government/departments-f-m/human-resources/employee-benefits-information
Outagamie County Diversity Statement:
Outagamie County is committed to developing, nurturing, and sustaining an equitable community and workforce where all individuals can thrive. We pledge to amplify the voices of under-represented communities or those who were historically excluded, by removing barriers that result from racial, social injustice and inequities. We strive to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion are embedded at all levels of Outagamie County programs and departments through acknowledging, analyzing, and addressing the root causes of inequities. We will create and advance equitable polices, practices and procedures, including, but not limited to County services, recruitment and retention, policies and practices, budgeting and procurement. We commit to being transparent and will continually evaluate and update our values when identified goals and objectives are not being achieved or sustained. Outagamie County will strive to create an inclusive environment where every community member feels like he/she/they belong.
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE COUNTY WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND ENCOURAGES BOTH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES AND INCUMBENTS TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WITH THE EMPLOYER.
See All 59 Equipment Operator Jobs in Wisconsin
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Find Equipment Operator JobsEquipment Operator Jobs by City in Wisconsin
Where Wisconsin roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Equipment Operator Job Market in Wisconsin
A snapshot from current Wisconsin openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


What Wisconsin Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in equipment operator jobs across Wisconsin.
- Valid CDL Class A or B license recognized in Wisconsin for operating heavy equipment on public roads
- Demonstrated experience operating construction equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, or graders
- Ability to read and interpret grade stakes, construction drawings, and site plans
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 construction safety certification preferred by most Wisconsin contractors
- Physical ability to work outdoors in variable Wisconsin weather and on uneven terrain
- Familiarity with preventive maintenance and pre-shift inspection procedures for heavy machinery
Equipment Operator Jobs in Wisconsin: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a equipment operator in Wisconsin?
Most equipment operators in Wisconsin enter the trade through an apprenticeship registered with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, typically run through the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139, which covers the state. Apprentices complete classroom safety and technical training alongside paid on-site hours. A CDL is required for operating equipment on public roads and is obtained through the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles after passing written and skills tests. Some community colleges, including Waukesha County Technical College, offer heavy equipment operator programs that satisfy employer pre-hire requirements.
Which companies hire equipment operators in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin equipment operator roles are posted by WM, Holtger Bros., and KMC Stampings and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Wisconsin's active construction and infrastructure sectors mean large contractors and municipal employers post openings continuously throughout the working season.
Which Wisconsin cities have the most equipment operator jobs?
Appleton, Germantown, and Arcadia lead Wisconsin for equipment operator openings. Milwaukee anchors the list given its scale of road, utility, and commercial construction activity, while Madison's ongoing campus and municipal infrastructure projects sustain consistent demand, and Green Bay's port and industrial corridor generate steady work for operators with grading and material-handling experience.
Are there remote equipment operator jobs in Wisconsin?
Yes, but they're rare. Equipment operation is fundamentally hands-on and site-dependent, so the large majority of roles require physical presence on a jobsite. About 0% of equipment operator openings tied to Wisconsin are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions typically involve dispatch coordination, fleet management, or operational supervision rather than direct machine operation.
How can I get hired as a equipment operator in Wisconsin with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying as a laborer or ground worker with a Wisconsin contractor, then transitioning to equipment operation once on site. IUOE Local 139 accepts apprenticeship applications from candidates with no prior experience and provides structured training from the ground up. Municipal employers like county highway departments and the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works also hire entry-level equipment trainees. Earning a CDL through the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles before applying gives candidates a measurable advantage over other first-time applicants.
Where can I find and apply to equipment operator jobs in Wisconsin?
You can find and apply to equipment operator jobs in Wisconsin on Migrate Mate, which lists current Wisconsin openings across construction, infrastructure, and municipal employers. Search the listings, find the roles that match your skills and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 59 Equipment Operator Jobs in Wisconsin
Find roles in Wisconsin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Equipment Operator Jobs