Solid Waste Operator

City of Tulare; Tulare (CA); Presencial; USD 42.000 - 62.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The City of Tulare is seeking a motivated Solid Waste Operator to join our community-focused team. This entry-level role is designed for individuals with a Class B CDL and a desire to grow into senior operator positions within a stable public sector setting.

You will learn residential routes, operate various sanitation vehicles, conduct basic vehicle inspections, and ensure safety and cleanliness in neighborhoods.

Formación

• Equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade and some experience in heavy equipment driving.
• Possession of a Class B California Driver's License with Air Brake Endorsement.

Responsabilidades

• Performs routine solid waste collection and disposal of prescribed residential routes.
• Drives commercial sanitation vehicles on assigned routes and to points, scales, and transfer sites.
• Operates a variety of solid waste vehicles, tools, and equipment.
• Inspects and maintains sanitation vehicles and equipment, performing preventative maintenance.

Conocimientos

Customer service

Safety awareness

Manual dexterity

Teamwork

Educación

High school diploma or equivalent

Class B CDL with Air Brake Endorsement

Herramientas

Side loaders

Clam shell loaders

Forklifts

Dump trucks

Descripción del empleo

Ready to jumpstart your career with a stable, community-focused job that offers a clear path for growth? We are looking for a motivated Solid Waste Operator to join our team and help keep our city clean, safe, and beautiful.

This is an entry-level position designed for individuals with a Class B (or A) Commercial Driver’s License who want to build a long-term career.

Why Apply?

• Paid, On-the-Job Training: Learn residential routes, master advanced sanitation vehicles, and develop specialized equipment skills under close guidance.
• Career Growth: This position is a gateway. As you gain experience and independence, you will have the opportunity to advance to senior-level commercial operator roles.
• Stability & Purpose: Enjoy consistent hours, reliable public sector stability, and the pride of doing essential work that directly impacts your local community.

What You’ll Do

As a Solid Waste Operator, you will be the face of our neighborhood sanitation services. Your daily routine will include:

• Driving & Operating: Safely navigate commercial sanitation vehicles (including side loaders, clam shells, forklifts, and dump trucks) on assigned residential routes.
• Equipment Care: Perform pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections, track oil and fluid levels, change tires, and ensure your truck is always road-ready.
• Community Interaction: Serve as a helpful resource for residents, answering basic questions and ensuring neighborhoods are left clean and clear of illegal dumping.
• Safety First: Maintain accurate daily logs and follow strict safety protocols to protect yourself, your team, and the public.

Tulare is a full-service Charter City with approximately 400 full-time employees. The City of Tulare is a supportive organization where people take pride in their work and in the community they serve. Tulare is a place where people can grow professionally, a place that values innovation and a place where people can make a positive and lasting change in the community.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under general supervision, performs routine solid waste collection and disposal work of residential routes; maintains and repairs sanitation vehicles and equipment; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives technical and functional direction and training from the Solid Waste Crew Leader and general supervision from the Solid Waste Supervisor. No supervision of staff is exercised.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry-level class in the solid waste operator series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic solid waste collection and disposal experience learn residential routes, use of vehicles, tools, and equipment, and a variety of practices and procedures. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. This class is distinguished from the Senior Solid Waste Operator in that the latter performs the more complex solid waste collection and disposal work of commercial routes that requires additional knowledge, skills, and experience.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs routine solid waste collection and disposal of prescribed residential routes, including cleaning waste around bins and truck, running compactor to pack loads to appropriate weight, and retrieving containers from hopper and replacing in assigned area.
• Drives commercial sanitation vehicles on assigned routes and to points, scales, and transfer sites.
• Operates a variety of solid waste vehicles, tools, and equipment, including side and clam shell loaders, skiploaders, forklifts, and dump trucks in a safe and accurate manner.
• Inspects and reviews condition of sanitation vehicles and equipment before and after routes; performs preventative maintenance of vehicles and equipment, including checking oil and water levels, brakes, and lights, changing tires, and draining air tanks; washes and cleans vehicles; fills and greases vehicles.
• Observes and reports overweight, unsafe, or broken dumpsters to crew leader or supervisor, maintains bins on route; greases and tightens bolts as necessary.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Operates a variety of tools and equipment related to work assignment as instructed.
• Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including cleaning alleys of illegal dumping, trimming trees to ensure safe passage of vehicles, and securing vehicles and equipment at the close of the workday.
• Delivers and picks up containers for non-payment or new constructions; exchanges damaged containers.
• Issues notice to customers regarding sanitation violations; responds to complaints and answers questions from public or escalates to crew leader or supervisor, as necessary.
• Responds to operations, maintenance, and repair emergency situations as required.
• Maintains records and logs of daily activities; prepares reports as necessary.
• May be assigned to fill-in on commercial routes as necessary.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Basic solid waste collection and disposal principles, practices, vehicles, tools, and equipment for maintaining sanitation and cleanliness of a City, including residential solid waste collection.
• The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of tools, vehicles, and equipment.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Safety equipment and practices related to the work, including the handling of hazardous solid waste.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Learn to participate in solid waste collection and disposal operations and related projects.
• Learn to use safely and effectively use, operate, and maintain the full range of equipment and tools required for the work.
• Learn to perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Learn to work with heavy automotive equipment requiring good motor coordination and physical strength.
• Learn to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods of time in all types of weather.
• Learn to troubleshoot maintenance problems.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic reports of work performed.
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Communicate effectively in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

EDUCATION &EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and some experience in heavy equipment driving.

LICENSES &CERTIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a Class B California Driver's License with Air Brake Endorsement.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confining spaces, around machines and to climb and descend vehicles, and to operate varied vehicles, tools, and equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 75 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.