Solid Waste Equipment Operator

City of Phoenix; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 37,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Traditional pension with employer and

401(a) and 457 plans with employer

Choice of medical plans

Paid time off and holidays

Free Bus/light rail pass

Tuition reimbursement up to $6,500

Job summary

City of Phoenix's Public Works Department seeks a Solid Waste Equipment Operator to drive heavy waste collection trucks and related equipment in Phoenix, AZ. You will perform CDL pre-trip inspections, follow routes, and use GPS and on-board computer data entry.

Ideal candidates have at least 12 months of commercial driving experience, the ability to maneuver large trucks in tight spaces, and basic computer skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include CDL and the ability to pass ADOT medical exam.
• One year of experience operating trucks with gross weight 26,001+ pounds or completion of Solid Waste Equipment Operator Apprenticeship.
• Must pass criminal background check and have a valid driver's license with appropriate restrictions for the role.

Responsibilities

• Perform CDL pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
• Follow designated routes and read collection maps.
• Operate GPS and two-way radio.
• Enter data into on-board computer system.
• Support customer service while performing waste collection duties.

Skills

Commercial driving

Customer service

Basic computer skills

Tools

GPS system

On-board computer

Job description

About This Position

The Public Works Department strives to improve the quality of life in Phoenix through efficient delivery of outstanding solid waste, fleet, facilities, and energy management services. Solid Waste Equipment Operators operate solid waste collection trucks and other heavy equipment used for collecting refuse, recycling, and other waste material. The majority of solid waste collection trucks are right side driven.

Duties Also Include

• Performing daily CDL pre-trip and post-trip inspections to include 7-step air brake check.
• Reading and understanding collection route maps and following a designated route.
• Use of a GPS system.
• Operating a two-way radio.
• Data entry into on-board computer system.
• Cleaning waste buildup on equipment.
• Identifying needed equipment repairs and making necessary equipment adjustments.
• Operators will be required to routinely climb in and out of equipment, perform light manual labor, provide customer service, and meet established performance standards.

Work will be performed in extreme weather and environmental conditions.

Transfer station assignments use the following equipment: semi-tractor trailers with full air brakes, 5th-wheel connection, and a GVW of more than 34,000 lbs.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Ideal Candidate Possess

• Demonstrated commercial driving experience for at least 12 months.
• The ability to safely maneuver a large truck through tight spaces and turns (i.e. alleyways, narrow streets with parked cars).
• Basic computer skills.

SALARY

Pay Range: $26.70 to $35.78 per hour.

Hiring Range: $26.70 to $30.92 per hour.

Pay Range Explanation

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Promotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade increase.
• Demotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade decrease.
• Lateral transfers occur when there is no change to the last two digits of the pay grade.
• When there is a change in the first digit of the pay grade, there may also be a change to your classification or unit.

Benefits

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information.
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions.
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans.
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan.
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually.
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Employer paid long-term disability.
• Free Bus/light rail pass.
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year.
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days.
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period.
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi.

For more details, visit: Unit 001 Benefits

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of City of Phoenix Solid Waste Equipment Operator Apprenticeship.
• OR One year experience operating trucks with a gross weight of 26,001 or more pounds.
• Possession of appropriate commercial driver's license (CDL) at time of hire. Must possess a Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL) with a Class A Instructional Permit at the time of application OR a Class B CDL (for limited positions).
• Transfer station assignments require a valid Class A Commercial Driver License without a L, Z, or O restriction.
• Must pass an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) medical examination.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• These positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
• The City job description can be found here.

Work And Environmental Conditions Requirements

• Working irregular hours, second and/or third shifts, weekends, holidays, and evenings.
• Working outside in a variety of environmental extremes such as heat, cold, rain, air pollution, and dust.
• For most positions, up-righting overturned containers and cleaning up solid waste spills may be required.
• For some positions, pushing metal front load bins on wheels weighing over 100 pounds may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

Experience With

• Following designated routes with multiple stops and reading grid or route maps.
• Operating a heavy equipment / solid waste vehicle.
• Providing customer service to internal and external customers.
• Solid Waste operations.

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes September 11, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

REFERENCE

Solid Waste Equipment Operator, JC:72080, ID# 62915, 9/1/26, USM, AJ, Benefits:001

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

#DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork

City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.