Solid Waste Collection Driver I

City of Lakeland, Civil Service•Employment Services, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This skilled driving position collects solid waste, trash, brush, large bulk items, and recyclable materials using solid waste collection vehicles in tight or confined locations and around other vehicles and pedestrians. The employee primarily operates a claw truck or manual rear-loader and, as assigned, a secondary vehicle such as a front-loader, automated side-loader, or roll-off truck. The employee may provide direction to Solid Waste Collectors and perform related manual tasks. Work is performed under the direction of a Supervisor and reviewed through observation and results. The position is designated Mission Critical. The driver ensures the assigned truck is operational, fuels, washes and greases it, completes pre-trip and post-trip inspections, and reports maintenance or repair needs. The driver follows safety precautions, performs routine housekeeping on assigned equipment, and may train trainee drivers. To maintain classification, the employee operates or trains in secondary truck operation for at least 40 hours each subsequent year. The employee may also participate in or facilitate training and may be required to work overtime, alternate hours, or any assigned route as necessary. The work involves frequent driving and manual handling of refuse, including physically loading refuse and potentially removing and disposing of deceased animals. It is medium to heavy physical work, performed primarily outdoors, with frequent exposure to weather, traffic, machinery, noise, dust, animals, and other environmental hazards. The employee must complete the Solid Waste Safety Training Manual within 90 days of hire. The City of Lakeland is a drug-free workplace; this is a mandatory testing position subject to pre-employment and random drug testing, as well as reasonable-suspicion testing.

Requirements

Completion of eight school grades from an accredited school.
One year of experience operating commercial vehicles requiring a Florida Class B CDL, or completion of internal training and operation of City refuse collection equipment as temporary staffing.
Possess and maintain a valid State of Florida Class B CDL with endorsements required by the employing department and City policy.
Possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
Complete the Solid Waste Safety Training Manual within 90 days of hire.
Knowledge of traffic rules and regulations, operation of commercial vehicles requiring a Florida Class B CDL, operating hazards, and applicable safety rules and regulations.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and work independently on regular duties.
Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work, including frequent driving, sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing, crawling, kneeling, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, grasping, and fine manipulation.
Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds frequently and objects over 50 pounds occasionally.
Ability to work in confined spaces when connecting and disconnecting roll-off hoist lift cables, hoses, and electrical cables.
Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.
Pass the required pre-employment drug test; the position is subject to mandatory pre-employment and random drug testing and reasonable-suspicion drug testing.

Responsibilities

Operate a claw truck or manual rear-loader as the primary vehicle and an assigned secondary vehicle, such as a front-loader, automated side-loader, or roll-off truck, to collect and transport waste, trash, brush, or recyclable materials.
Operate other solid waste collection equipment on a temporary, trainee, or emergency basis.
Ensure the truck is operational; fuel, wash, and grease it; conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections; and report maintenance or repair needs to the Supervisor.
Follow standard safety precautions while operating equipment and perform daily housekeeping on the assigned vehicle.
Notify the Supervisor of issues or concerns requiring attention.
Teach trainee drivers the proper operation of solid waste vehicles.
Operate or train in secondary truck operation for a minimum of 40 hours each subsequent year to maintain classification.
Participate in or facilitate training supporting departmental or City initiatives and requirements, as required.
Work overtime, alternate hours, or any assigned route as needed for efficient departmental operations.
Physically load refuse and, when assigned, remove and dispose of deceased animals.
Use City radio, routing maps, shovels, rakes, and brooms to carry out duties.