Recycling Center Attendant (TEMPORARY)

Smyrna; Smyrna (GA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Smyrna is seeking a Recycling Center Attendant to assist in operations at the recycling center in Smyrna, GA. The role includes handling recycling materials, maintaining safety, and providing customer service to visitors.

Responsibilities include sorting materials, operating the baler and forklift, and ensuring adherence to guidelines and facility rules while supporting staff and volunteers.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• More than one year of related experience required; or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• Possession of a valid Georgia driver’s license for the vehicle/equipment operated.
• Forklift certification within 3 months of date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Process, sort and organize recycling materials per guidelines.
• Provide courteous, professional customer service to patrons.
• Inspect materials for acceptability and contamination; enforce rules and safety guidelines.
• Perform daily recycling center operations and prepare materials for storage or transport.
• Operate a horizontal baler to compact recyclables into transport-ready bales.
• Operate a forklift to stage, load, unload, and move materials within the warehouse and trailers.

Skills

Forklift operation

Baler operation

Customer service

Safety compliance

Interpersonal communication

Oral and written communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Valid driver’s license

Forklift certification within 3 months of hire

Tools

Forklift

Baler

Job description

• Salary/Pay Rate: $17.52 - $22.34 per hour DOE
• Posted Date: 10/15/2026 3:24 PM

This is a temporary full-time appointment established to provide operational coverage during an employee’s approved leave of absence. The appointment is not a permanent position and may end upon the earlier of: (1) the incumbent employee’s return to active employment; (2) the expiration or discontinuation of the operational need; (3) the completion of the stated temporary assignment period; or (4) other lawful separation.

Compensation and benefit eligibility, if any, are governed by the City’s applicable pay plans, personnel policies, benefit-plan documents, and law.

Recycling Center Attendant
Environmental Services

Job Summary

This position assists in the operations of the recycling center.

Major Duties

1. Processes, sorts and organizes recycling materials, including plastics, glass, electronics, cardboard, paper, metals and other materials in accordance with established recycling guidelines and procedures.
2. Provides courteous, professional customer service to recycling center patrons by assisting with unloading materials, directing users to appropriate collection bins, and ensuring a safe, efficient, and positive disposal experience related.
3. Ensures materials brought to the recycling center are properly inspected for acceptable items and contamination, and that patrons comply with all facility rules, safety requirements, and recycling guidelines.
4. Performs routine tasks associated with the daily operation of the recycling center, including organizing materials, maintaining collection areas, and preparing materials for storage, pickup, or transportation.
5. Operates a horizontal baler to safely process and compact recyclable materials, including plastic, paper, and cardboard, into secure, transport-ready bales.
6. Operates a forklift to stage, load, unload, and relocate materials within the warehouse and into trailers.
7. Maintains the cleanliness of grounds and warehouse.
8. Answers telephone calls and provides accurate information and assistance regarding accepted and prohibited materials, recycling procedures, facility guidelines, hours of operation, and other related inquiries.
9. Assists in supporting community service volunteers by providing day-to-day guidance, answering questions, and monitoring work for accuracy and safety.
10. Directs traffic at the recycling center as needed.
11. Identifies and reports unsafe conditions, equipment malfunctions, spills, and other potential hazards to the appropriate supervisor.
12. Drives city vehicle to pick up and drop off recyclable materials as required.
13. Performs other assigned duties.

Knowledge Required by the Position

1. Knowledge of recycling principles and practices.
2. Knowledge of city policies and procedures.
3. Knowledge of customer service principles and practices.
4. Skill in the operation of a forklift and baler.
5. Skill in the enforcement of safety principles and guidelines.
6. Skill in interpersonal relations.
7. Skill in oral and written communication.

Supervisory Controls

The Recycling Center Coordinator assigns work in terms of somewhat general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with instructions and established procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

Guidelines

Guidelines include recyclable materials guidelines, safety policies and procedures, and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

Complexity / Scope of Work

• The work consists of related equipment operation and customer service duties. Strict guidelines for recyclable materials contribute to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to provide support for recycling center operations. Success in this position results in the provision of recycling services to the general public.

Contacts

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, vendors, representatives of community groups, volunteers, and members of the general public.
• Contacts are typically to provide services, to give or exchange information, or to resolve problems.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee frequently lifts light, medium, and occasionally heavy objects, climbs ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, and distinguishes between shades of color.
• The work is typically performed in an office, at a recycling center, and outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather. The employee may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, machinery with moving parts, contagious or infectious diseases, or irritating chemicals. Work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, gloves, etc.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

None.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required;
• More than one year of related experience required; or
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Possession of or ability to obtain forklift certification within 3 months of date of hire.

* * * * The City of Smyrna is an Equal Opportunity Employer * * * *

This is a temporary full-time appointment established to provide operational coverage during an employee’s approved leave of absence. The appointment is not a permanent position and may end upon the earlier of: (1) the incumbent employee’s return to active employment; (2) the expiration or discontinuation of the operational need; (3) the completion of the stated temporary assignment period; or (4) other lawful separation.

Compensation and benefit eligibility, if any, are governed by the City’s applicable pay plans, personnel policies, benefit-plan documents, and law.