CDL Residential Driver

GFL Environmental Inc.; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home Daily

PTO 15 days

Paid Holidays

Health Insurance

401(k) match

EAP

Job summary

GFL Environmental Inc. in Lakeland, FL is seeking a CDL Residential Driver to safely collect waste and recyclables on local routes. The role operates side-load or rear-load trucks and involves daily pre-trip inspections and customer-facing duties.

The position emphasizes safety, teamwork, and professional conduct, with home-daily routes and comprehensive benefits. Requires a CDL and 1 year of driving experience or CDL training completion.

Qualifications

• CDL required with safe driving history.
• 1 year of commercial driving experience or CDL school completion.
• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Ability to read maps and route sheets.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate residential/recycling collection vehicles and hydraulic systems on routes.
• Load waste/recyclables and operate compacting equipment safely.
• Conduct daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections and complete logs.
• Report vehicle issues to supervisors.
• Direct route helpers and maintain efficiency.
• Wear PPE at all times.
• Represent the company professionally to customers and the public.

Skills

CDL driving

Safety-conscious

Customer service

Map reading

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Title

CDL Residential Driver

Location

Lakeland, FL

Position Type

Full-Time, Regular

Job Summary

The Residential Driver safely, efficiently, and courteously provides waste and recycling removal services to residential customers. This role involves operating side-load or rear-load trucks to collect solid waste or recyclables on curbside or backdoor routes and transporting collected materials to post-collection facilities.

Benefits & Perks

• Home Daily: Dedicated local routes so you can be home with your family every night.
• 15 Days Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous time off to rest and recharge.
• Paid Holidays: Extra time off to celebrate throughout the year.
• Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, including 4 medical plan options and an HSA with employer contributions & matching.
• Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan with employer match to secure your financial future.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to free counseling services and support for you and your family.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate residential/recycling collection vehicles (side-load/rear-load), ancillary equipment, and hydraulic compaction systems safely on designated routes.
• Load solid waste, yard waste, and recyclables into collection vehicles and operate compacting equipment using prescribed safety techniques.
• Perform required daily pre-trip and post-trip safety lane inspections, driver reports, route sheets, and log documentation.
• Promptly report any vehicle mechanical issues, accidents, or incidents to supervisors and mechanics.
• Identify and tag prohibited waste items (e.g., flammable or hazardous materials) and remove them from collection carts.
• Direct and manage assigned route Helpers (when applicable) and maintain route quality and efficiency standards.
• Wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)—including steel-toe boots, reflective vest, safety glasses, and gloves—at all times.
• Maintain a clean vehicle cab interior and exterior, and represent the company professionally to customers and the public.

Requirements & Qualifications

• License: Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required.
• Experience: Minimum 1 year of commercial driving experience OR completion/certificate from an accredited CDL school.
• Education: High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Safety & Driving Standards: Must meet company criteria for safety-sensitive functions and demonstrate safe operation, maneuvering, and backing of trucks (up to 120+ feet in tight areas).
• Skills: Ability to read/understand maps, route sheets, and written instructions; basic maintenance knowledge; strong communication and customer service skills.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

Physical Capability: Ability to repeatedly lift, push, pull, or carry up to 25 lbs frequently, and occasionally up to 50–100 lbs using proper lifting techniques.

Working Environment: 100% outdoor work environment exposed to seasonal extreme heat/cold, rain, traffic, noise, and fumes.

Shift/Demands: Driving accounts for up to 75% of daily work hours; requires frequent standing, stooping, crouching, climbing, and coordination.

Equal Opportunity

GFL is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please note that GFL does not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Valid work authorization in the country where the job is located is required. Successful candidates will be required to provide valid documentation confirming their eligibility to work in the country where the job is located prior to their start date. This hiring process may utilize machine-based systems to assist in screening and assessing applicants. Final selection decisions are made by our recruitment team.

Why Work With Us

At the heart of GFL lies our greatest asset—our people. So, we’re glad you landed here! We believe in great careers, making a positive impact on the environment and supporting our people with their life ambitions. We aspire to create the right jobs in a way that brings you along with us. At GFL, growth isn’t just for our business—it’s for our people. Because we see the potential in all our employees to do whatever it is they set their mind to, and we’re proud to support them in that journey. We consider our employees’ personal goals, helping them create the career, and life, that they desire—whether it’s advancing in their job, learning new skills, forming lasting relationships, or mentoring others, while having time to pursue other life ambitions. With safety and sustainability at the core of what we do, we all come together to form “Team Green”—united by our shared purpose to provide environmental solutions that enable our customers and the communities we serve to be Green For Life. We’re proud to say that working for GFL is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to make a difference and grow tremendously along the way. Regardless of the work we’re doing today, we’ve got our sights set on the big picture—not just tomorrow, but for life. GFL empowers those looking for growth in their career and lives, whether that's on our Field Operations teams or Professional Services teams. Field Operations – Our Field positions offer candidates across North America the potential for limitless growth and skill expansion as the front line of our organization, making them central to our company's vision of creating cleaner and more sustainable communities. Professional Services – Our Corporate positions located in key North American offices grow candidates to form strong client relations, manage key programs and accounts, and ensure our Field teams are operating at maximum efficiency.