Recycling Operator - Advanced

Otter Tail County•Fergus Falls, MN

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Otter Tail County is hiring a full-time Recycling Operator - Advanced to perform recycling operations at the Recycling Center in Fergus Falls and serve as a Film Plastics Recycling Route Specialist. The position also provides backup coverage for Recycling Route Specialist positions, including filling in for regular drivers and assisting with scheduled route collections. Work may also be assigned in other Solid Waste areas, including Transfer Stations and Household Hazardous Waste. At the Recycling Center, the employee operates and maintains recycling machinery and vehicles, handles recyclable materials, monitors equipment, and maintains inventory records. As a Film Plastics Recycling Route Specialist, the employee schedules and performs collections of agricultural plastic, boat wrap, and other eligible plastics in Otter Tail, Todd, and Wadena Counties. The employee uses a packer truck to collect and deliver materials to baling hubs in Sauk Centre or Detroit Lakes, coordinates with customers and facilities, and adjusts routes and schedules as needed. The role may also cover general recycling routes, including driving a straight hook truck with pup trailer or a packer truck, servicing customer containers, transporting materials, and maintaining route records and equipment. The position is full-time at 40 hours per week. The 2026 starting salary is $22.31 per hour, depending on qualifications, with advancement to $33.46 per hour. A standard 12-month probationary period applies. This is a safety-sensitive position subject to pre-employment and other applicable drug and alcohol testing, and a pre-employment physical examination.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Class A Driver’s License valid in Minnesota, with air brake certification.
Forklift/skid steer operator certification, or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of employment.
Pass a background investigation, pre-employment medical examination, and drug screening before hire.
Ability to perform the essential job functions safely and effectively, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Safety-sensitive employees are subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing; employees may also be tested upon reasonable suspicion or cause, return-to-duty, follow-up, or after an accident.

Responsibilities

Operate recycling equipment, including balers, forklifts, skid steers, compactors, conveyors, crushers, and sorters, and operate trucks to unload incoming materials and load products for market.
Monitor equipment operation, report malfunctions and maintenance needs, and perform routine maintenance and repairs such as checking or changing oil and antifreeze, greasing equipment, and welding.
Maintain inventory records for recyclable materials and assist the Redemption Operator by removing full containers.
Schedule film-plastic collections and use software and spreadsheets to track generation at collection sites and forecast future collection needs.
Determine efficient routes and pickup or delivery times; execute daily routes and adjust schedules for weather, container use, holidays, vacations, and driver availability.
Communicate with customers by phone, text, email, and in person; explain program policies and material requirements and assist with customer education and training.
Collect agricultural plastic, boat wrap, and other eligible plastics using a packer truck, and transport materials to regional baling facilities in Sauk Centre or Detroit Lakes.
Perform daily DOT vehicle inspections, maintain route records, and return to the Otter Tail County Recycling Center on schedule.
Report site issues and contamination to the program manager, coordinate with solid waste supervisors in Todd and Wadena Counties, and communicate delivery details with baling facilities.
Provide routine and minor maintenance for trucks, trailers, dumpsters, and other equipment; schedule major maintenance with the program manager or Recycling Manager and order parts as needed.
Drive a straight hook truck with pup trailer or a packer truck; pick up or empty recycling containers, track their usage and service needs, and plan service for commercial customers.
Load and unload trucks using forklifts and skid steers, including loading bundles weighing up to 150 pounds, and transport materials to the Recycling Center.
Pick up paperwork from satellite centers and patrons on behalf of office staff and install and maintain drop-off-site signs.
Fill in for regular route drivers during vacation, sick leave, or holidays and assist with scheduled route collections.
As needed, perform work in other Solid Waste areas, including Transfer Stations and Household Hazardous Waste.
May assist with duties under the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.