Solid Waste Operator I

Town of Gilbert; Gilbert (AZ); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Gilbert is seeking a Solid Waste Operator I to safely operate refuse vehicles and serve residents with best-in-class service. The role reports to a Solid Waste & Recycling Supervisor and requires CDL and a medical card.

A minimum of one year in heavy equipment operation or manual labor is needed, with overtime availability and work in Arizona's extreme temperatures. duties include driving, route coverage, equipment checks, and customer-focused service, with overtime as required and

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• 1 year of experience in heavy equipment operation, or manual labor.
• CDL and medical card required at interview; Class B may require Class A within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Operate rear-loading, side-loading, and/or front-loading automated refuse vehicles safely.
• Cover designated routes including apartments, offices, residences, and commercial sites.
• Report equipment or maintenance issues to supervisor/mechanics.
• Perform routine vehicle maintenance such as cleaning, fueling, checking fluids, and inspecting tires and brakes.
• Identify unsafe containers or sites and report to supervisor.
• Assist with maintenance or servicing of refuse containers and related tasks.
• Prepare daily route sheets and respond to customer questions about schedules and service.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

CDL

Overtime flexibility

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Team Gilbert has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to fill the position of Solid Waste Operator I. With every job we fill, our focus is on providing best-in-class service to our citizens while offering the opportunity for professional growth in a rewarding and innovative work environment. The Solid Waste Operator I position is part of a job family that includes Solid Waste Operators I, II & III, providing career growth opportunities.

The Solid Waste Operator I reports to a Solid Waste & Recycling Supervisor.

The primary job duties of this position include:

• Safely operate rear-loading, side-loading, and/or front-loading automated refuse vehicles.
• Work designated route of apartments, office buildings, residential customers, commercial establishments, or other sites of contained refuse/recycling and hauling to disposal sites.
• Report improper equipment performance or other maintenance-related problems to the fleet maintenance mechanics and the supervisor.
• Perform routine service on vehicles such as washing, cleaning, fueling, checking, and adding oil, hydraulic fluid, and water as needed, checking instruments, mirrors, brakes, steering, and signals, maintaining tire pressure, and draining air tanks.
• Inform supervisor of unsafe or broken containers and unsafe, difficult, or poorly maintained collection sites.
• Assignments may include performing skilled and semi-skilled work in the maintenance and servicing of refuse containers, including painting, delivering, and inspecting containers.
• Prepare records and complete daily route sheet statistics, answer customer questions related to refuse schedule and service, and provide customer-focused service.
• View the full job description here.

The first review of applications will occur on Monday, October 12th and the final review will occur Monday, October 26th.

Anticipated Timeline:

Posting closed: Sunday, October 25, 2026

Interviews: Week of November 2

Start date: November 9 or 23, 2026

This position is an At-Will position and is FLSA Non-Exempt - eligible for overtime compensation.

Team Gilbert, we hire innovative, forward-thinking problem-solvers who love what they do! In addition to possessing the ability to live out our core and functional values daily, candidates must possess the following requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED
• 1 year of experience in heavy equipment operation, or manual labor
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and medical card required at the time of interviewing. Applicants holding a Class B CDL may be required to obtain a Class A License within six months of hire.
• Must be able to work overtime as required.
• Requires working in extreme temperatures that are part of the Arizona climate.
• This is a driving position, and a motor vehicle report will be run as part of our pre-employment process.

This position requires a DOT pre-employment physical and drug screen.

This position has been designated as a Heavy work position, requiring the majority of the workday to be spent in a refuse truck and outdoor environment.

The physical demands and working conditions information above is meant to provide a general idea of the conditions for this role. Gilbert is committed to being an inclusive employer of candidates with a wide range of abilities and looks for opportunities to accommodate different abilities within reason.

To view the slide show presentation above, click here.

Gilbert is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in its employment, services, programs, and activities. If you require any reasonable accommodation during the application and interview process, please contact our People Team (Human Resources) at 480-503-6823. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.