Residential Collection Crew Leader

City of Winter Haven, FL; Winter Haven (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401(a) retirement plan

Tuition assistance

Mental health services

Job summary

City of Winter Haven is seeking a dependable Residential Collection Crew Leader to manage a waste collection team. You will lead day-to-day operations, schedule crews, and ensure safety and efficiency in residential and commercial collections.

The role requires strong leadership, communication, and knowledge of waste collection equipment, with a focus on service quality and regulatory compliance. Training and development opportunities are available.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of solid waste collection practices and equipment.
• Experience operating front-end loaders, side-loading and knuckle-boom vehicles.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and city ordinances for waste collection.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to supervise and evaluate staff.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; SWANA certification preferred.
• Five years’ experience in operation of related equipment.
• Equivalent experience may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day solid waste collection and disposal operations.
• Plan, schedule, train, supervise, and evaluate crews.
• Ensure service levels and safety practices align with policies.
• Coordinate with Fleet Management for maintenance and repairs.
• Respond to customer concerns and monitor routes for efficiency.
• May perform duties of supervisors in their absence.

Skills

Crew leadership

Communication

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

Team coordination

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Front-end loaders

Side-loading vehicles

Knuckle-boom loaders

Roll-off trucks

Job description

Current Job Postings

All positions currently accepting applications are listed below. Applications can be completed online or in person at our Human Resources Office at 500 Third Street NW. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Human Resources Team at 863-291-5650 or [e-mail].
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We are looking for a dependable and committed Crew Leader to manage and guide a waste collection team. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and environmentally-conscious collection of waste and recyclables from residential neighborhoods. Strong leadership, excellent communication, and organization skills are essential to maintain seamless operations and deliver top-notch service to our customers.

• Job Title: Residential Collection Crew Leader
• Category: Full-Time
• Application Closing Date: October 1, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
• Annual Step for Performance Pay Adjustments
• 12 Paid Holidays Per Year
• 12 Vacation Days Minimum, Earned Per Year
• 12 Sick Days Earned Per Year
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Benefits
• 401(a) Retirement Plan and Social Security Coverage
• Education/Tuition Assistance Program; and Training and Development Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program – to include Mental Health Assistance/Services

Performs highly responsible work in effectively and safely leading and directing day-to-day solid waste collection, disposal operations and employees; works adjacent to and in the same capacity as those supervised. Assists in planning, scheduling, training, supervising, and evaluating the work of crews engaged in solid waste collection and disposal. Assists the Solid Waste Superintendent and Assistant Solid Waste Superintendent in the day-to-day operation of the work unit. Ensures that service is provided in accordance with City ordinances and department/division policy. Checks equipment daily for availability, cleanliness, safety, and operational functionality. Coordinates with Fleet Management for maintenance and repair of equipment. Participates in the development of collection routes and dispatching of crews. Inspects collection routes and documents work performance and safety practices of crews. Receives and responds to customer concerns related to service and/or operations. Checks for illegal disposal of refuse and communicates division policy regarding refuse collection to customers. Assists drivers/crews with work related field issues. Provides input to Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent related to employee performance evaluations.

Participates in the review of new development site plans, sketches, and drawings to assess and recommend provisions pertaining to solid waste service delivery. Assists in developing and maintaining appropriate written policies and procedure manuals. Works collaboratively with division staff to monitor service levels and formulate policy recommendations relating to operations and service delivery. Participates in the day-to-day delivery of solid waste services to include operating refuse collection equipment and performing commercial, residential, yard and bulk waste, recycling, and garbage collection activities. Performs duties and responsibilities of Solid Waste Superintendent and/or Assistant Solid Waste Superintendent in his/her their absence. Performs a variety of essential job function administrative tasks and assists with the provision of other division services as needed or directed. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive listing of essential job functions; the performance of other essential functions may be required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of practices, procedures, and equipment operations related to the collection and disposal of municipal solid waste.
• Skill in operating solid waste collection equipment including front-end commercial loaders, side-loading residential collection vehicles, knuckle-boom loaders and roll-off distribution vehicles.
• Knowledge of traffic and highway safety rules and regulations; and the City’s ordinances relating to the collection of solid waste.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; plan, direct, supervise, and evaluate the work of others; understand and follow verbal and written instructions; complete and maintain written records, communications, and logs both manually and digitally; lift a minimum of 50 pounds; and work outside in all kinds of weather.
• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
• Five years’ experience in the operation of related equipment including front-end commercial loaders, side-loading residential collection vehicles, knuckle-boom loaders and roll-off distribution vehicles.
• Previous experience as a crew leader and SWANA Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Collection System Technician/Manager Certification preferred.
• An equivalent combination of experience that is determined to be directly related to the foregoing specific requirements may be substituted.

Special Requirements:

• Absence of non-prescribed controlled substances in the applicant’s system as verified by a laboratory approved by the City of Winter Haven.
• Possession of a valid Florida Class B driver's license with air brake endorsement and a good driving record as determined by the City of Winter Haven.

Physical / Environmental Factors:

• Must have the physical ability, strength, and flexibility to perform the essential job functions in the work environment.
• Requires light to medium physical work that involves walking, standing, driving, and exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on periodic basis.
• Considerable skill, adeptness, and speed in the use of the fingers, hands, or limbs in tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy.
• When performing fieldwork, environmental factors include exposure to bright/dim light, dust and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic and moving machinery, as well as possible exposure to disease/pathogens and toxic/caustic chemicals.
• The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE Our Mission: Enriching lifestyle through exceptional service.

Category Full Time Status Open Posted September 17, 2026 11:30 AM Closing October 1, 2026 5:00 PM

Physical Address
500 Third Street NW
Winter Haven , FL 33881