Temporary Solid Waste Operator I - II

Sitka, City and Borough of•Sitka, AK

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The City and Borough of Sitka is hiring a temporary Solid Waste Operator I or II to collect and process solid waste, including hazardous waste, at the landfill, scrap yard, recycling, and transfer station facilities. The Solid Waste Operator I works under the direct supervision of the Chief Solid Waste Operator and performs routine solid-waste processing. This entry-level role primarily involves field work and learning solid-waste management fundamentals, safety practices, and basic tool and equipment operation. The Solid Waste Operator II works under the general supervision of the Chief Solid Waste Operator, performs more complex processing requiring greater experience, regularly operates light to moderately heavy equipment, and processes hazardous-waste chemicals. The role involves public interaction; operating and maintaining equipment and facilities; recording operational, billing, and compliance information; conducting inspections; preparing waste for disposal or shipment; and supporting materials processing, construction and demolition activities, biosolids processing, and landfill operations. Employees may work outside normal shifts, on weekends and holidays, and be on call when necessary. Work is primarily outdoors in varied weather and includes exposure to hazardous waste and operating machinery.

Requirements

Solid Waste Operator I: High school diploma or GED.
Solid Waste Operator I: Valid Alaska driver's license with a clean driving record.
Solid Waste Operator I: Some construction or maintenance experience is preferred.
Solid Waste Operator I: Some experience using basic construction or maintenance tools and equipment is preferred.
Solid Waste Operator II: Either two years working satisfactorily as a Sitka Solid Waste Operator I with all required licenses and certificates, or a high school diploma or GED, a valid CDL with a clean driving record, two years of experience in solid-waste management, recycling, or a related field, and one year operating some or all of the following: loaders, forklift, or skid steer.
An equivalent combination of experience, education, and training may be accepted if it provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
Solid Waste Operator I: Possess or obtain within six months of hire an Alaska Class B commercial driver's license (preferred), First Aid, CPR, and AED certification, and HAZWOPER 24-hour training.
Solid Waste Operator I: Possess or obtain within 12 months of hire SWANA Transfer Station Safety and Operations Training, OSHA 10 Construction Safety certificate, and Forklift/Powered Industrial Vehicle Operator Training.
Solid Waste Operator II: In addition to the Operator I requirements, possess or obtain within six months of appointment as Operator II OSHA 30 Construction Safety Training, HAZWOPER 40-hour Training, EPA Section 608 Universal Certificate, and SWANA Landfill Operator Training.
Maintain required certifications for the duration of employment in Public Works.
Knowledge of basic safety practices in construction or the solid-waste industry, safe motor-vehicle operation and maintenance, high-school-level reading, writing, and arithmetic, general solid-waste management work and equipment, and acceptable work habits and practices.
Solid Waste Operator II must additionally know applicable local, state, and federal codes and requirements; solid-waste operational methods; safe work practices for solid-waste facilities; and applicable City and Borough of Sitka and Public Works directives.
Ability to operate a personal computer and standard or customized software appropriate to assigned tasks.
Ability to operate light tools and medium or heavy equipment to dismantle and process scrap for recycling.
Customer-service skills that support a positive and professional experience for citizens.
Ability to recognize and protect confidential information; understand and follow safety, regulatory, policy, procedural, and instructional requirements; and learn and master a wide variety of equipment.
Ability to maintain working knowledge of solid-waste practices, equipment capabilities, and regulatory compliance.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing using technical and non-technical language; prepare accurate work-progress and problem reports; develop solutions from written specifications and oral instructions; work accurately under time-sensitive deadlines; and quickly learn and apply new skills.
Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, walking, standing, sitting, climbing, reaching, handling, and feeling; frequent periods sitting or riding in equipment.
Frequently lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds, with or without assistance from appropriate equipment.
Hearing sufficient to recognize alarms and equipment sounds; vision and depth perception sufficient to operate vehicles and equipment safely and monitor operations.
Sufficient speech, hearing, vision, observation, manual dexterity, mobility, and reflexes to communicate, operate equipment and tools, climb, enter and exit confined spaces, and follow safety protocols.

Nice To Haves

Solid Waste Operator I: Basic knowledge of construction tools and equipment is desirable.
Solid Waste Operator I: Some construction or maintenance experience is preferred.
Solid Waste Operator I: Some experience working with basic construction or maintenance tools and equipment is preferred.
Alaska Class B commercial driver's license is preferred for Solid Waste Operator I.

Responsibilities

Interface with the public and operate the sanitary landfill, scrap yard, recycling, and transfer station.
Maintain accurate records for billing and compliance by logging daily solid-waste operations data.
Use a computer maintenance management system to receive, track, and log work assignments.
Conduct daily, weekly, monthly, and annual equipment, site, and facility inspections and prepare reports as directed.
Perform preventative maintenance on solid-waste equipment, facilities, and grounds.
Clean, fuel, lubricate, and repair solid-waste equipment, tools, and facilities.
Collect and prepare authorized disposal items for shipping or landfilling, safely removing hazardous materials in an environmentally responsible manner.
Sort and package processed solid-waste materials, complete manifests, and secure loads in shipping containers for interstate transport.
Operate and maintain light, medium, and heavy equipment.
Compact, bale or log, sort, cut, classify, and load scrap materials into shipping containers.
Operate heavy equipment for construction and demolition activities, biosolids processing, overburden management, materials processing and disposal, and landfill cell capping.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Work outside normal shifts, including early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, and be on call for 24 hours when necessary.
Operate snow and ice management equipment as needed.
Maintain required certifications and wear appropriate attire and safety gear for assigned work.