Brush & Bulk Item - Refuse Collector

Abilene; Abilene (TX); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Abilene seeks a dedicated worker to perform heavy manual labor in residential and commercial refuse collection. You will assist with brush removal, bulky item disposal, and support safe operation of collection equipment on assigned routes.

Responsibilities include lifting heavy items, loading and unloading waste, and ensuring containers are returned to their correct locations. Requires safety awareness and good teamwork in a dynamic, outdoor environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• A valid Texas driver’s license; ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment or a military waiver is required.
• Knowledge of safe work practices and equipment operation related to refuse collection.
• Experience with heavy manual labor and outdoor work is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Pick up and load heavy items and bulky waste.
• Operate mechanism for loading, compressing, and dumping refuse material.
• Guide the driver/operator in movement of refuse trucks in alleys and street pickup locations.
• Cut limbs, brush, and related growths interfering with Safe vehicle movement.
• Pick up and empty refuse containers into vehicles; return containers to original locations.
• Load loose debris and brush piles into Solid Waste vehicles.
• Identify defective containers for repair.
• Operate a City vehicle to perform duties.

Skills

Heavy manual labor

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Basic tool handling

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, performs heavy manual labor associated with residential and commercial solid waste collection, brush removal, and bulky item disposal operations. Duties include collecting refuse, brush, debris, and other discarded materials from alleys, curbsides, and designated collection sites in accordance with established safety standards, departmental procedures, and City policies. Assists with the safe and efficient operation of refuse collection equipment and supports maintaining clean, safe, and accessible collection routes.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position exercises no supervision.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Pick up and load heavy items and discarded bulky waste.
• Operates equipment mechanism for loading, compressing, and dumping refuse material.
• Guide the driver/operator in movement of refuse trucks in alleys and street pick up locations.
• Cut limbs, brush, and related growths, which interfere with the safe movement of Solid Waste vehicles in alleys.
• Pick up and empty refuse containers into vehicles; return containers to original locations.
• Load loose debris and brush piles into Solid Waste vehicles.
• Identify defective containers for repair.
• Operate a personal or City vehicle to perform business operations.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Safe work practices, including proper lifting techniques, hazard recognition, and equipment safety procedures.
• Methods, practices, and procedures related to refuse, brush, and bulky waste collection operations.
• Basic operation and maintenance requirements of refuse collection equipment and hydraulic systems.
• Applicable workplace safety regulations, including Bloodborne Pathogens, HazCom, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
• Traffic safety practices and safe work procedures in public rights-of-way and residential areas.
• Basic tool handling.
• Safe power tool operation.

Skill to:

• Safely operate equipment associated with refuse collection operations, including hydraulic compactors, hydraulic/air tailgate lift systems, and related equipment.
• Operate hand tools, chainsaws, and equipment used for brush and debris removal.
• Perform strenuous physical labor for extended periods under varying weather and environmental conditions.
• Work efficiently in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment while maintaining safety and productivity standards.
• Identify damaged refuse containers, unsafe conditions, and operational issues requiring attention.
• Perform basic desktop computer operation.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle.

Ability to:

• To mix and distribute herbicide out of a backpack sprayer
• Understand, interpret, and follow oral and written instructions, policies, and operational procedures.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with supervisors, coworkers, and the public.
• Perform heavy manual labor involving lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, and repetitive movement.
• Work outdoors in adverse environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, noise, dust, vibration, and exposure to mechanical hazards.
• Adapt to changing work assignments and operational priorities.
• Travel tovarious work locations and perform shift work; be available for emergency response required.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
• Being able to calculate potential dangers in and around the work area.
• The ability to perform basic computer skills to retrieve city emails and required computer training courses.
• Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
• Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Experience:

Experience in heavy manual work is preferred.

Education/Training:

A high school diploma or GED is required.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver’s license; the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment or a military waiver is required.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Bloodborne Pathogens training and HazCom training are required within sixty (60) days of employment.

Exposure to cold, heat, dust, noise, outdoors, vibration, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards. Also, environmental hazards such as poisonous vegetation, sna kes, bees, wasps, fire ants, rats, wild animals and stray dogs.

Must be available for shift, on-call, and stand-by work.

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

___ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

_ X _ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes

:

The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

N = No

E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

_ M __ Standing

_ M _ Sitting

_ E _ Walking

_ E_Lifting

_ E _ Carrying

_ E_ Pushing/Pulling

_ M _ Overhead Work

_ E _ Fine Dexterity

_ E _ Kneeling

_ E _ Crouching

_ I_ Crawler

_ E _ Bending

_ E _ Twisting

_ E _ Climbing

_ E _ Balancing

_ E _ Vision

_ E _ Hearing

_ E _ Talking

_ E _ Other: _ ___ Smell (In case of fire and chemical exposure.) ___