Refuse Equipment Operator, Residential

City of Sarasota•Bainbridge Island, WA

About The Position

The Refuse Equipment Operator provides reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solid waste collection and disposal for the City’s cart customers, helping protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community. The position operates a side- or rear-loading refuse collection vehicle with hydraulic cart dumpers, follows assigned collection routes, transports refuse to disposal points, and maintains the vehicle and related equipment. The work involves strenuous physical activity in varied weather conditions, including high heat, and considerable contact with the public. The employee works under the direction of the Department Head or a designated representative and does not supervise others. The position may require overtime, returning on an off day to finish a route, or standby for emergency calls on a 24-hour on-call basis.

Requirements

One year of experience operating equipment, including solid waste equipment with a sophisticated hydraulic system, or equivalent education, training, and experience.
Possession of and ability to maintain a valid Florida Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
Working knowledge of heavy trucks with hydraulic refuse-packing systems and their operation and maintenance.
Ability to operate a large truck efficiently.
Ability to receive and understand oral and written orders and carry them out effectively.
Knowledge of traffic and highway safety rules and regulations and precautions for avoiding accidents.
Ability to work overtime and/or be on call.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public.
Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and up to 50 pounds frequently, and perform physical activities including walking, lifting, reaching, stooping, pulling, grasping, balancing, climbing, kneeling, standing, and crouching.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors amid changing weather or atmospheric conditions, and potentially encounter noise and hazards requiring special protection or safety precautions.
Visual acuity to inspect completed work for accuracy and quality, sufficient hearing to perceive information at normal spoken-word levels, and manual dexterity to operate equipment.

Responsibilities

Safely and efficiently operate a side- or rear-loading refuse collection vehicle equipped with hydraulic cart dumpers.
Regularly check tires, oil, brakes, hydraulic lines, steering, and other specified items, and correct or report equipment faults to the supervisor.
Follow the assigned route schedule and collect wheeled refuse carts and all authorized refuse placed at authorized stops.
Collect refuse weighing no more than 40 pounds.
Prevent and retrieve litter caused by spillage or scattering during collection duties.
Complete the assigned route before the shift ends, or return on an off day if required to complete collections.
Transport collected refuse to the disposal point as often as required and account for weight tickets for each trip.
Report carts requiring service or repair.
Inventory and maintain special equipment on the vehicle, including fire extinguishers, and properly use and operate the land mobile communications system.
Immediately report accidents involving the vehicle and observe factory-prescribed equipment limits.
Clean and fuel the collection vehicle before parking it at the end of the shift.
May standby for and respond to emergency calls on a 24-hour on-call basis.
Maintain a professional public impression through personal appearance, performance, and the condition of the vehicle.