Recycling Operator

City of Fort Collins; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fort Collins Streets Department is seeking a Recycling Operator to join our team. This role works primarily outdoors at the Timberline Recycling Center, operating roll-off containers, small equipment, and handling customer service tasks throughout the shift.

The position is hourly and non-benefited with a Tuesday–Saturday schedule. Applicants should have a High School diploma or GED, a valid CDL and DOT Medical Card, and strong safety and record-keeping skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum high school diploma or GED required.
• CDL license and valid DOT medical card required.
• Excellent customer service and clear communication essential.

Responsibilities

• Supports the Hard-To-Recycle and Everyday Recycling functions.
• Hauls roll off containers with hook lift truck.
• Performs data entry and updates to recycling spreadsheets.
• Completes credit card, check, or cash transactions for items that incur a fee.
• Operates small equipment such as a skid steer, small plow trucks, or forklift.
• Sorts and packages recyclable materials and assists customers.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

CDL

DOT Medical Card

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Recycling Operator (Hourly) REQUISITION #: req8673 DEPARTMENT: Streets LOCATION: STREETS DEPT MAIN FACILITY BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly Hourly Employee Benefit Highlights EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Fluctuating Hourly FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt HOURLY RATE: $24.00 - 28.00 per hour (based on relevant experience) SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT on 11/13/2026. The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position.

Post-Offer Requirements

• Background check
• Motor vehicle report
• Drug test within 48 hours of offer for CDL holders
• Please be prepared to present any current CDL license or permit during in-person interviews
• CDL Drivers are required to register with the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse at: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/
• Post Offer Employment Test (P.O.E.T)

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

Job Summary

The City of Fort Collins Streets Department is seeking a RecyclingOperator to join our team! The Recycling Operator is at the heart of the TimberlineRecycling Center serving both operations and customer service. While there isindoor office space in the recycling center gatehouse, this position worksoutdoors the majority of the time, year-round. This position ensures customerservices are provided effectively and will conduct day-to-day operations andfunctions including hauling roll off containers, maintenance, cleaning,operating small equipment, data entry, and record keeping. This is an hourly,non-benefited position and the schedule is Tuesday through Saturday. At the City, weare focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognizethat excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. Whenreviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge,skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimumqualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you toview your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that bestprepare you for the role.

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports the Hard-To-Recycle and Everyday Recycling side of the Timberline Recycling Center’s everyday functions
• Hauls roll off containers with hook lift truck
• Performs computer data entry, manual journal entry, and file updates to recycling spreadsheets
• Completes credit card, check, or cash transactions with customers for items that incur a fee
• Operates small equipment such as a skid steer, small plow trucks, or forklift
• Sorts and packages recyclable materials, including oil, anti-freeze, batteries, electronic waste, scrap metal, wood, yard waste, and plastic film
• Inspect roll off containers for fullness and contamination, assist in removing contaminants
• Assists customers of the recycling center, including education, sorting recyclables, and supports handling materials when necessary
• Communicates with downstream vendors to schedule shipments of materials
• Load box trucks or trailers utilizing a forklift and pallet jack
• Maintains site cleanliness including scale house, storage containers, and trash pickup around site
• May support snow removal operations utilizing skid steer, tractors, and plow truck

Management Responsibilities

No

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to perform skills associated with site and equipment operations and maintenance activities
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, contractors, and the general public
• Ability to identify and prioritize work tasks
• Knowledge of workplace safety guidelines and ability to identify and correct potential safety issues at site
• Able to troubleshoot unexpected issues and make decisions independently
• Willingness to learn and maintain knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.
• Comfortable using Microsoft programs, particularly Excel and Outlook
• Develop and maintain baseline recycling guidelines and systems knowledge
• Understanding of basic math and accounting functions.
• Knowledgeable, proficient or willing to learn in small equipment operations – forklift, compactor, bailer, wheel loader and snow removal equipment.
• Knowledge of general equipment operations and loading techniques.
• Attention to detail with the capability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficient in executing data entry tasks.
• Knowledgeable or the ability to learn DOT hazardous waste transportation regulations.
• Skilled in organizing tasks and setting priorities to meet deadlines efficiently.

Required Education

Minimum Highschool diploma or general education degree (GED)

Required Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Valid DOT Medical Card

Minimum Qualifications

• Unrestricted driver’s license
• Must be 18 years old
• Successfully pass a drug screening test, Motor Vehicle Record and background check

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call [phone] for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

TheCity is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants andemployees.Employment decisions will comply with all applicable lawsprohibiting discrimination inemployment. The City does not toleratebehavior that results in the terms and conditions ofemployment beingadversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or anybehaviorthat violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee,the City is committedto providing a work environment that is free fromunlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination orharassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, nationalorigin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceivedsexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability,age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran statusor uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or anyother status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. Inaddition to the City’scommitment to equal opportunity employment, theCity strictly prohibits discrimination orretaliation against an employeewho raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations ofgovernmenthealth or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of Cityemployees orthe public, if the City controls the workplace conditionsgiving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.