Austin Resource Recovery Operator (Underpass/Clean Creeks)

City of Austin•Austin, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

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. The Austin Resource Recovery Underpass and Clean Creek Operators are responsible for general litter removal from creeks and other watersheds, as well as daily cleaning of illegal dumpsites, rights-of-way, underpasses, and homeless encampment sites. As part of the Underpass and Clean Creek teams, these positions operate Crew Cabs, Skid Steers, and Rear Loader vehicles, and perform required pre- and post‑trip equipment inspections. Operators collect hand‑picked litter and bulk items from active and inactive encampment locations. This role requires the ability to safely board and exit the cab of a refuse collection truck, step on and off the rear step using hand and foot holds while supporting one’s own body weight, and perform frequent stretching, bending, and stooping. Work is conducted outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Requirements

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
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.
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.
Employees must have sufficiently good eyesight to drive and inspect trucks and other equipment.
Additionally, listening while driving is necessary to hear emergency vehicles and other issues with traffic or operational equipment.
Employees must also be able to hear and speak to communicate with supervisors, dispatchers, and citizens.

Nice To Haves

Current City of Austin employees must apply through the internal Workday Jobs Hub.

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.