Recycling Technician

Vanderbilt University • Nashville, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Recycling Technician is part of Vanderbilt University Maintenance and Operations (VUMO) and supports the university’s recycling and waste management programs. The role helps implement and maintain campus diversion, recycling, and proper waste-disposal practices. The technician serves as a customer service representative for these programs and interacts daily with faculty, staff, and students. The position reports administratively and functionally to the Campus Waste and Recycling Manager and has no supervisory responsibility.

The schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with availability for additional hours as needed. Work includes collecting and sorting recyclable materials, supporting special events and groundskeeping, and operating and maintaining assigned vehicles and compactors. The position requires work in varied weather conditions and the ability to perform physical tasks, including regularly and repeatedly lifting and carrying at least 50 pounds.

Requirements

• High school diploma.
• Valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record; the license and satisfactory record must be maintained.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, use email and other electronic communications, and complete basic calculations.
• Ability to stand, stoop, bend, climb, lift, and carry items for extended periods.
• Ability to accurately follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to communicate with empathy and understand other parties’ perspectives.
• Ability to push, pull, lift, and carry at least 50 pounds regularly and repeatedly.
• Thorough knowledge of the Vanderbilt campus.
• Ability to work in varied weather conditions, including hot, cold, and wet conditions.

Responsibilities

• Check recycling dumpsters and compactors and notify the appropriate person when attention is needed.
• Collect recycling from indoor and outdoor containers according to regular notes, and make additional pickups as needed or requested.
• Complete a daily time log for the work order system.
• Collect, flatten, and place cardboard in recycling containers.
• Safely sort materials when bins are contaminated.
• Collect recycling from residential recycling areas.
• Collect light bulbs, batteries, and/or glass buckets from designated areas.
• Collect ink cartridges along the route and place them in collection bins.
• Collect electronics for recycling and transport them to appropriate locations.
• Assist the Recycling Coordinator with new bin placements or adjustments to bin locations.
• Clean and wipe down dirty bins and replace bin stickers as needed.
• Assist with retrieving items from storage or taking items to storage.
• Assist with special events such as Move-In, Move-Out, Earth Day, and Commencement.
• Collect packing materials and transport them to the warehouse.
• Relocate glass bins for vendor service.
• Collect large or bulk amounts of recyclables and transport them directly to vendors using a pickup or other large truck.
• Operate compactors and perform operator-level maintenance on assigned vehicles.
• Attend safety training.
• Assist with snow removal and groundskeeping.
• Perform other duties related to the classification.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED