Solid Waste Operator I

City of Atlanta; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Atlanta is seeking a driver to operate rear-loader garbage trucks for the Department of Public Works. Responsibilities include collecting waste materials, ensuring truck readiness, and maintaining city database records with a portable tablet.

Requirements include a Georgia CDL with Class B endorsement, basic knowledge of the work, and the physical capability to perform tasks safely. CDL-A and heavy equipment certifications are preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Six months experience operating heavy trucks or other large equipment.
• CDL B with Flagging certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-trip inspections and ensure vehicle readiness.
• Drive commercial vehicles safely and protect laborers on the rear.
• Perform post-trip inspections and refuel as needed.
• Operate various garbage trucks and collect curbside waste.
• Log weight tickets and maintain daily records.
• Communicate with management and the public.
• Assist laborers during collection activities.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols.

Skills

Safe driving

Vehicle maintenance

Communication

Education

GED or high school diploma

Tools

CDL B

Flagger certification

CDL A

Heavy equipment certification

Job description

Salary Range: $40,945.05- $51,181.31

Responsible for driving and operating commercial vehicles, specifically rear loaders, along with laborers. Responsibilities include collecting waste materials, recyclables, and yard debris, ensuring the vehicle's operational readiness by maintaining fluids and systems, and traveling to the dump site to retrieve weight tickets. Additionally, duties entail downloading information into the city database using a portable tablet. This role operates garbage trucks for the Department of Public Works, requiring a valid Georgia Commercial Driver’s License with Class A or B endorsement. Individuals in this position must possess basic knowledge of the work and the necessary motor skills and physical capabilities to carry out assigned tasks safely and effectively.

Job Description

Posting Expires:10/07/26

Salary Range: $40,945.05- $51,181.31

Responsible for driving and operating commercial vehicles, specifically rear loaders, along with laborers. Responsibilities include collecting waste materials, recyclables, and yard debris, ensuring the vehicle's operational readiness by maintaining fluids and systems, and traveling to the dump site to retrieve weight tickets. Additionally, duties entail downloading information into the city database using a portable tablet. This role operates garbage trucks for the Department of Public Works, requiring a valid Georgia Commercial Driver’s License with Class A or B endorsement. Individuals in this position must possess basic knowledge of the work and the necessary motor skills and physical capabilities to carry out assigned tasks safely and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-trip inspections of the truck and evaluate equipment to ensure operational readiness.
• Drive commercial vehicles safely in traffic while ensuring the safety of laborers on the rear step.
• Perform post-trip inspections of the truck, including refueling and checking for any issues.
• Operate dual-drive garbage trucks, conventional rear loader garbage trucks, and mini-garbage trucks effectively and safely.
• Collect curbside waste, including household garbage, trash, yard trimmings, and other materials.
• Utilize machinery to collect waste materials and empty receptacles, utilizing tools such as shovels, rakes, brooms, or pitchforks as needed.
• Evaluate daily schedules to determine efficient routes and landfill trips based on workload.
• Maintain and secure all departmental vehicles and equipment, performing cleaning, minor repairs, and reporting damages.
• Retrieve and maintain records of daily scale reports to track the amount of waste transported and dumped.
• Communicate effectively with management, employees, and the general public.
• Assist laborers as needed during waste collection activities.
• Log weight tickets and GPS data into the database system.
• Refuel trucks with diesel and DEF and ensure gas generators are started and operational.
• Dump trash cans and ensure debris is pushed up for efficient dumping.
• Clean equipment and lock down the building at the end of the day.
• Communicate with customers regarding acceptable items for recycling.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols to keep workers and citizens safe during operations.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the safe operating procedures and user maintenance on all equipment operated.
• Knowledge of the routes and schedules of operation to meet daily goals for collection.
• Skill in operating vehicles, equipment, and tools.
• Requires the ability to effectively use written and verbal communication to convey or exchange professional information.
• Requires the ability to learn and understand subject matter principles and techniques.
• Must have the physically ability to operate a variety of job related machines at efficiency level requirements.
• Must be able to perform physical labor as well as move or carry related objects or materials.
• Requires the ability to use simple mathematical formulas; add and subtract; multiply and divide; determine percentages; and determine or interpret time and weight.
• Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape.
• Requires the ability to coordinate body members in using job related equipment.
• May require the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.
• Requires the ability to interact with supervisors and customers beyond giving the receiving instructions.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
• Six months experience operating heavy trucks or other large equipment.

Licensures and Certifications - Flagger certification, CDL B.

Preferred Requirements

CDL A, Heavy equipment certification. 1 year of equipment operating experience

Work Environment

Lifting Requirements

Heavy work:Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta ("COA") that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.

The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, ender identity, marital status, veteran’s status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.