Plant Operator

About Us

Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority (NAWMA) provides waste, and resource recovery services to more than 125,000 households across the City of Salisbury, City of Playford and Town of Gawler. We run award-winning facilities and work closely with our community and Councils to keep more material out of landfill.

You’ll be based across our Resource Recovery Centers at Pooraka, with the flexibility to also work at the Edinburgh North Resource Recovery Centre. You will be joining a supportive and passionate team that is proud of the positive environmental impact it delivers every day.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Plant Operator to join our Operations team. Reporting to the Processing and Disposal Manager, this is a hands-on role with broad responsibility for the safe operation of plant and equipment, site maintenance, and accurate operational reporting across NAWMA's Resource Recovery Centers. The role is being advertised as permanent part-time at 0.6FTE (3 days per week), with two of the days being weekend work.

This role plays a key part in maintaining operational flow by ensuring that mobile and fixed plant, equipment, and site infrastructure are used and maintained in accordance with safety, environmental, and service standards.

In addition to weekday operations, the successful candidate will take on the responsibilities of Supervisor – Plant Operator on weekends. In this capacity, you will provide on-site leadership and direction to the weekend team, coordinate daily work tasks, and serve as the first point of operational contact – ensuring NAWMA’s facilities continue to run safely and efficiently seven days a week.

What You’ll Do

• Safely and competently operate mobile and fixed plant, including front-end loaders, forklifts, compactors, and other machinery across NAWMA facilities

• Perform daily pre-start checks, fuelling, and routine servicing of equipment, completing inspection and maintenance records accurately

• Support material movement and processing activities by loading and unloading bins, compactors, containers, and receival bays in accordance with site procedures

• Carry out general labouring and maintenance tasks across buildings, signage, stormwater systems, weighbridges, and landscaped areas

• Complete and submit accurate documentation including plant and time sheets, asset condition reports, risk assessments, and site inspection records

• Assist with traffic management, site preparation, and closure activities as required

Weekend Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on leadership and direction to the weekend operational team, ensuring tasks are allocated, procedures are followed, and performance standards are met

• Deliver on-the-job guidance and instruction to support safe and efficient work practices across the site

• Liaise with contractors and external service providers on site to ensure activities are delivered in line with operational expectations

• Support end-of-day reporting by documenting daily activity, communicating key issues, and preparing handover notes for the Processing and Disposal Manager

Why Join Us

• Be part of an organisation making a genuine environmental difference for communities across northern Adelaide

• Join a collaborative, supportive team that values safety, innovation, and continuous improvement

• Access opportunities for ongoing training, professional development, and skills recognition

• Enjoy the variety of a role that combines hands-on operations with team leadership

• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and free onsite parking

About You

We are looking for a reliable, safety-conscious operator who takes pride in their work and is ready to step up into a leadership capacity on weekends. To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Demonstrated experience operating plant and equipment such as front-end loaders and forklifts, including daily pre-start checks, basic maintenance, and accurate completion of inspection records

• Proven ability to undertake general site and infrastructure maintenance across outdoor operational environments

• The ability to complete operational documentation such as plant logs, time sheets, and inspection reports accurately and on time

• Strong teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to work independently or provide direction to others to complete tasks safely and efficiently

• Some prior experience leading or supporting small operational teams, with the confidence to coordinate tasks and uphold site procedures

• A current SA Driver’s License and relevant plant operating licenses (e.g. Front-End Loader, Forklift), with a commitment to maintaining all required competencies

Ready to Join Us?

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your skills and experience via Seek. Applications without a cover letter may not be considered.

All applications must be submitted via Seek and will be reviewed as they are received. Please note that this position may be filled prior to the advertised closing date, so early application is encouraged.

For any questions or a copy of the Position Description, please email Lillian Foote, NAWMA’s Human Resource Coordinator, at ••••@nawma.sa.gov.au

We value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Applicants must hold the right to work in Australia, and please note that pre-employment checks (such as reference checks and police clearances) will form part of the recruitment process