Austin Resource Recovery Operator (Bulk)

City of Austin

6d•$24 - $27

About The Position

Under general supervision, this position operates vehicles and equipment and performs general labor in the collection and disposal of trash and recyclables or the recovery and processing of resources. Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) is a department of the City of Austin with over 530 employees. We provide essential services that protect people and our planet. We collect recycling, composting, trash, large brush, bulk items, household hazardous waste and dead animals. We also sweep the streets, offer Austin and Travis County residents a service to recycle and safely dispose of household hazardous waste and provide community outreach and education. ARR is driving the global transformation of traditional waste management to sustainable resource recovery. The Bulk Operator position provides on‑demand curbside collection services for City of Austin residents by using ARR vehicles and equipment such as rear‑loaders, cranes, and roll‑off trucks. In this role, the Bulk Operator picks up large items that do not fit in standard trash carts, including furniture, appliances, carpet, doors, tires, lumber, and other oversized materials. This is a physically demanding role that involves repeatedly getting in and out of collection truck cabs, stepping on and off rear platforms using hand and foot holds, and performing continual stretching, bending, and stooping throughout the workday. The work takes place outdoors in extreme heat, cold, rain, and other challenging weather conditions. Employees will be expected to special events, holidays, weekends, after‑hours shifts, seasonal schedule changes, and assist other work groups as needed to meet operational demands.

Requirements

One (1) year of driving experience with a current Commercial Driver License (CDL) in any field.
Current Commercial Driver License, Minimum Class B License.
Must obtain required endorsements within 120 days of employment, as required by position.
To be considered for employment in this position, applicants must comply with Department of Transportation Federal Regulations and the City of Austin Drug Policy.
Knowledge of equipment and vehicles used in waste services.
Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with others.
Skill in operating power tools.
Skill in using small hand tools.
Skill in learning simple tasks.
Skill in lifting and carrying equipment or materials applicable to the work being performed.
Skill in reading and writing English necessary to the level of tasks performed.
Ability to understand oral and written instructions in English.
Ability to operate required vehicles safely.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to train or assist in the training of employees as required by management.
Ability to read, understand, and follow maps and mapping directions.

Responsibilities

Picks up, processes, or disposes of trash, brush, litter, recyclables, bulky items, re-use items, or compostable items and dumps collected materials at designated dump sites/landfill.
Maintains dedicated bus lanes and bikeways on residential and major streets in City of Austin.
Pre-trips all vehicles and heavy equipment, as required by management; maintains detailed vehicle and equipment records; and completes paperwork, forms, and reports related to collection activities.
Learns and follows routes, reads street maps, and micro-routes to locate route destinations.
Assists in training others in the proper use of equipment and vehicles, as required by management.
Operates Water Truck, Rear-Loading Refuse Truck, Dump Truck, and other Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) vehicles and equipment as needed.
Performs basic vehicle inspections and maintenance and maintains vehicle records.
Uses hand tools such as backpack blower, rake, shovel, and sweep to stack, load, and unload smaller debris and litter.
Decides whether to pick up trash that is set out improperly.
Provides information to customers when appropriate.
Places customer notices, door hangers, and public information literature.
Cleans up illegal dump sites, parkland, targeted encampment sites and other sites with high volume of trash-related complaints or concerns throughout the City of Austin.
Follows safety rules.
Observes and reports accidents, burglaries, and hazardous situations.
Assists other ARR crews as directed and performs other duties as assigned and performs the tasks of ARR Associates and Operator Trainees as needed.