Sanitation Equipment Operator

Princeton University•Princeton, NJ

3d•$28•Onsite

About The Position

As part of University Facilities Operations, Campus Grounds oversees seasonal and academic-cycle grounds care across a large university campus. The Sanitation Equipment Operator provides daily recycling, special-waste, and trash removal services for designated University properties, operating specialized equipment and commercial vehicles. The role also includes maintaining vehicles, dumpsters, dumpster sites, compactors, and the Biodigester; supporting organics collection and transport; tracking data and completing logs; and working safely and cooperatively with the University community. The position normally works Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., although other schedules may be assigned or required based on business needs. Overtime may be required on weekends, holidays, and after-shift hours. This is an essential-services position, and employees are expected to work as directed during emergencies affecting University operations.

Requirements

Current, valid New Jersey or Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with air-brake endorsement.
Current Federal D.O.T. medical form and any other documentation required under federal and state CDL regulations.
High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Ability to bend at the waist and knees or work overhead in and around vehicles to perform minor maintenance, inspections, and trash-site cleanup.
Ability to read and speak English sufficiently to converse with the public, understand highway and traffic signs, and make entries in official records and logs.
Ability to repeatedly climb in and out of vehicles with 20-inch steps, up to 50 times per day.
Availability for overtime on weekends, holidays, and after-shift hours.
Ability to direct others and organize daily pickup routes.
Ability to stand or walk for six hours at a time and up to eight hours per day, and to sit for less than two hours during an eight-hour day.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle or heavy equipment, such as a forklift or sanitation truck, frequently (34–66% of the workday).
Ability to lift or carry up to 25 pounds frequently (34–66% of the workday) and up to 70 pounds occasionally (less than 33% of the workday), including lifting up to 70 pounds from floor to shoulder height.
Ability to use hands for simple grasping, pushing, or pulling with forces up to 25 pounds frequently (34–66% of the workday).
Ability to squat, reach overhead, lift overhead, and push or pull with forces up to 75 pounds occasionally (up to 33% of the workday).
Ability to bend and climb in and out of vehicles frequently (34–66% of the workday).
Ability to work outdoors in a variety of temperatures and environmental conditions and shovel snow and ice from trash pickup areas.
Physical agility, full range of motion, ability to maintain balance, and ability to work at heights.
Demonstrated ability to work in a culturally diverse environment with flexibility and composure.
Ability to maintain appropriate attendance, professionalism, courtesy, and effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

Previous work experience in the sanitation industry or an equivalent environment.

Responsibilities

Operate specialized equipment and commercial vehicles to collect trash, special waste, and recyclables from designated University properties and deliver materials to designated landfills or resource recovery sites.
Manually lift waste and recyclables into dumpsters or waste vehicles.
Attach dumpsters to rear-loading waste vehicles and operate hydraulic machinery for packing and unloading materials.
Perform minor commercial-vehicle maintenance, including checking fluids and lubricants, greasing fittings, and maintaining hydraulic-fluid levels.
Use CMMS and other applications for data tracking.
Maintain daily logs for commercial vehicles and the Biodigester, and report defects to the Sanitation Crew Supervisor or fleet mechanic.
Inspect dumpsters for defects; grease or replace casters and lids as needed, and report major defects to the Sanitation Supervisor.
Maintain dumpster sites, including occasional raking and sweeping and cleaning dumpster and toter interiors.
Operate trash compactors and perform minor repairs, such as checking hydraulic-fluid levels.
Assist with organics collection and transport, including hauling food scraps, operating system controls, collecting data, weighing toters, offloading, and sorting compost.
Conduct safety checks and clean the Biodigester machine.
Direct others and organize daily pickup routes.
Model safe work practices, participate in scheduled Safety Huddles, and promote a safety culture.
Work collaboratively and professionally with coworkers, supervisors, the public, and the University community while modeling the University's values.
Promote good recycling habits and sustainability in work activities and interactions with the campus community.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.