Solid Waste Collection Driver II
City of Lakeland
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Job summary
The City of Lakeland is seeking a skilled Solid Waste Driver to operate automated side-loader, front-loader, roll-off, and other collection equipment. The role includes maintenance duties, safety compliance, and training responsibilities for trainee drivers.
Applicants must hold a Florida Class B CDL with endorsements and have experience in heavy-duty refuse collection. This is a full-time, on-site position with potential overtime and varying routes.
Qualifications
- Completion of eighth grade from an accredited school.
- Three years of experience operating commercial vehicles requiring a Florida Class "B" CDL.
- One year of experience operating medium and heavy-duty refuse collection equipment, or internal training completion, and operation of City refuse collection equipment as temporary staffing.
- Possess a valid Florida Class "B" CDL with appropriate endorsements.
Responsibilities
- Operates an automated side-loader, front-loader, and/or roll-off refuse truck as a primary vehicle.
- Operates other solid waste collection equipment on a temporary, trainee, or emergency basis (manual rear-loader).
- Ensures the truck is operational, fuels the truck, washes and greases, conducts pre-trip/post-trip inspections, and reports the need for maintenance or repair of equipment to the supervisor.
- Follows standard safety precautions when operating the equipment.
Skills
Education
Job description
This is a skilled driving position that involves collecting solid waste, trash, brush, large bulk items, or recycled materials, and operating solid waste collection vehicles in tight, confined locations and in the presence of other vehicles and pedestrians. If assigned as needed, the employee directs Solid Waste Collectors and performs related manual tasks. Work is performed under the direction of a Supervisor and reviewed through observations and obtained results.
- Operates an automated side-loader, front-loader, and/or roll-off refuse truck as a primary vehicle and one of the following vehicles: front-loader, roll-off, automated side-loader, and/or claw truck used in the collection and transportation of solid waste, trash, brush, or recycled materials, to be determined by the Solid Waste Supervisor or the Solid Waste Manager.
- Operates other solid waste collection equipment on a temporary, trainee, or emergency basis (manual rear-loader).
- Ensures the truck is operational, fuels the truck, washes and greases, conducts pre-trip/post-trip inspections, and reports the need for maintenance or repair of equipment to the supervisor.
- Follows standard safety precautions when operating the equipment.
- Performs daily routine housekeeping on the assigned piece of equipment.
- Teaches trainee drivers the proper operation of solid waste vehicles.
- Operates and/or trains in secondary truck operation a minimum of 40 hours each subsequent year to maintain classification.
- Repairs and performs maintenance requiring the use of a cutting torch and welder on solid waste equipment, including compactors, roll-off containers, receiver boxes, compactor power units, commercial front-load containers, residential garbage, and recycling carts.
- May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
- May be required to work overtime, or alternate hours, or any assigned route as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
- Position is designated as Mission Critical.
- Automated side-loader: 43 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the cab numerous times a day. Driving, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing, servicing automated containers of 35, 65, or 95 gallons, helping walk up customers, picking up trash that falls out of the container. Retrieving containers that fall into the hopper area. Washing the truck daily with a scrub brush and pressure washer, and climbing a set of stairs to wash the top of the truck.
- Container: 43 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the truck numerous times a day from the cab to the platform, driving, sitting, standing, stooping, bending, walking, lifting, pulling, pushing, picking up trash, and other waste items. Makes repairs to city-owned dumpsters, roll-off, and compacting containers. Cleans and inspects the truck and equipment daily.
- Front-loader: 40 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the truck numerous times a day, driving, sitting, stooping, walking, lifting, pulling, pushing, servicing dumpsters, two cubic yards, four cubic yards, six cubic yards, and eight cubic yards. Opening and closing gates, pushing and pulling roll-out containers on wheels, and climbing a ladder to clean the top of the truck with a scrub brush and pressure washer.
- Roll-off: 53 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the cab numerous times a day (56 inches from ground to floor of cab). Driving, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing, servicing open-top and compactor roll-off containers. Ability to work in confined spaces when connecting and disconnecting the hoist lift cable, hoses, and electrical cables. Heavy pushing and pulling to open and close container doors for servicing. Washing the truck at the end of the day with a scrub brush and a pressure washer.
- Claw Truck: 46 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the truck numerous times daily from the cab to the platform behind the cab to run the crane. Climbing up and down from the cab to the ground to rake up debris. Opening and closing the truck's back doors six to eight times a day to empty the truck. Climbing, driving, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing, picking up trash and yard waste items. Washing the truck daily with a scrub brush and pressure washer, and climbing stairs to wash the top of the truck.
- Manual Rear-loader/ Alley Rear-loader: 19 inches from ground to floor of cab with no steps. Climbing in and out of the cab numerous times a day, driving, sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, lifting, and carrying items up to 50 lbs., and occasionally (either independently or with a teammate) lifting and carrying objects over 50 lbs. Washing the truck at the end of the day with a scrub brush and a pressure washer.
- May be assigned to remove and dispose of deceased animals.
- Required to physically load refuse.
- Completion of eighth grade from an accredited school.
- Three years of experience operating commercial vehicles requiring a Florida Class "B" CDL.
- One year of experience operating medium and heavy-duty refuse collection equipment, or internal training completion, and operation of City refuse collection equipment as temporary staffing.
- Possess a valid Florida Class "B" CDL with appropriate endorsements.
- Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
- Completion of the Solid Waste Safety Training Manual within 90 days from the date of hire.
- Traffic rules and regulations.
- Operating commercial vehicles requiring a Florida Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
- The hazards of operation and appropriate safety rules and regulations.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions, and work independently in performing regular duties.
- Use City radio, routing maps, shovels, rakes, and brooms.
- Medium to heavy physical work that involves frequent driving, sitting, standing, and walking for eight or 10 hours per day.
- Frequent bending/stooping, climbing, crawling, fine manipulations, grasping, kneeling, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasional lifting/carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds.
- Risks routine and frequent exposure to significant environmental hazards and is 95% outside, including driving, bright/dim light, dusts/pollen, extreme heat/cold, wet/humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife, vibration, traffic, moving machinery, heights, fumes/noxious odors and possible exposure to significant environmental hazards; including disease/pathogens and toxic/caustic chemicals - 5% inside a climate-controlled building.
- Ability to work in confined spaces when connecting and disconnecting the hoist lift cable, hoses, and electrical cables.
- Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.
All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your email and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.
The City of Lakeland is a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.
THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.
Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:
Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*
Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.
Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.
For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768
Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.
For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.
Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.
Plan C Employee 4.52%
Employer 15.54%
Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits
Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire
Employer 15.54%
A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.
Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.
Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.
Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.
Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.
Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.
Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).
Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.
Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.
Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.
For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.
A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.
For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.
(refer to handout in new employee folder)
An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.
Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.
Free while at work.
Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.
For information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.
For information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.
For information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.
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