Solid Waste Route Operator

City of Daphne, Alabama; Daphne (AL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

Health & dental insurance

Long-term disability & life insurance

Retirement participation

CDL pay differentials

Job summary

The City of Daphne is seeking a Solid Waste Route Operator to perform collection, transport, and disposal of solid waste and recyclables, operate trucks and equipment, and assist with recycling facility operations. The role emphasizes safety, route planning, and customer service in a dynamic outdoor environment.

Responsibilities include conducting daily inspections, coordinating with supervisors, and maintaining inventory while complying with city ordinances.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and 1 year of experience in equipment operation or solid waste collection.
• Valid Alabama driver's license and Alabama CDL.
• Ability to perform physical tasks up to 50 pounds and work outdoors in varying weather.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and operate city equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operates trucks and equipment for collection, transport, and disposal of solid waste and recyclables.
• Loads trash carts and recyclables, ensuring secure placement and safe lifting.
• Plans daily routes for efficiency and coordinates service, including back door pickups.
• Performs daily vehicle inspections and reports mechanical or operational issues.
• Assists with recycle facility operations, sorting and baling of recyclable material.
• Provides courteous customer service and information to residents; assists with complaints.

Skills

Arithmetic basics

Equipment operation

Data transcription

Communication skills

Info analysis

Map reading

Follow instructions

Judgment and creativity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent; 1 year of related experience

Job description

Description

The purpose of this classification is to operate equipment and perform manual work associated with the City’s solid waste program, including collection and disposal of solid waste and recycling materials from residential/commercial establishments, and sorting/baling of recyclable materials in the recycle facility.

Benefits

• 12 Paid Holidays a Year
• BCBS Health & Dental - Low Premiums, Excellent Coverage
• Employer-paid Long-Term Disability & Life Insurance
• Participation in Retirement Systems of Alabama
• Employees in the position of Solid Waste Route Operator that hold a Class A CDL will receive a $1.00 per hour pay differential.
• Employees in the position of Solid Waste Route Operator that hold a Class B CDL will receive a $0.85 per hour pay differential.

Full-Time City Of Daphne Employees Enjoy Many Benefits, Including

• 12 Paid Holidays a Year
• Paid Vacation Time & Paid Sick Leave
• BCBS Health & Dental - Low Premiums, Excellent Coverage
• Employer-paid Long-Term Disability & Life Insurance
• Participation in Retirement Systems of Alabama
• Employees in the position of Solid Waste Route Operator that hold a Class A CDL will receive a $1.00 per hour pay differential.
• Employees in the position of Solid Waste Route Operator that hold a Class B CDL will receive a $0.85 per hour pay differential.

Essential Functions

• Performs manual work functions and operates equipment associated with collection, transport, and disposal of solid waste; operates trucks/equipment with specialized functions involving routine operation to drive from point to point or involving use of basic to complex maneuvering mechanisms to perform work tasks; operates mechanical controls to pick up large refuse/containers and empty into body of truck.
• Performs manual tasks associated with solid waste projects; lifts and loads trash carts, recycle bins, heavy materials, or refuse; ensures secure placement of materials on trucks to prevent shifting/falling; cuts tree limbs; unloads collection vehicles at designated disposal facilities; picks up debris outside of trash containers; rakes, sweeps, shovels, and cleans ground around trash disposal areas.
• Operates a variety of equipment, machinery and tools used in department projects and activities.
• Monitors inventory levels of machinery, equipment, tools, supplies, and other materials; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct projects and work activities; initiates orders for new or replacement materials; picks up supplies or materials as needed; transports, loads, and unloads various materials and equipment used in daily operations and projects.
• Plans daily routes and schedules, organizing trip routes for maximum efficiency; paces truck speed and route stops to efficiently collect refuse; identifies customers scheduled to receive “back door” service on route.
• Performs daily vehicle inspections and completes required checklists to ensure safe vehicle operation; identifies and reports mechanical or operational problems.
• Monitors traffic conditions surrounding trucks/equipment to identify obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic conditions; performs driving functions safely and efficiently in various weather conditions; reports any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.
• Supervises and monitors activities of work crew assigned to route to maintain safety and security of crew members and the public.
• Operates pickup truck to collect and transport trash and recyclable material from inaccessible areas; plans daily routes for maximum efficiency.
• Assists with operation of recycle facility in the sorting and/or loading of salvageable materials; operates loader to stack and move material; operates horizontal baler to sort and bale recyclable material.
• Performs customer service functions; greets the public in a courteous and tactful manner; responds to routine questions or requests for service; provides information and assistance related to department services, procedures, or other issues; assists with public education presentations; may assist supervisor with complaints and questions related to department operations by providing information, researching problems, and initiating problem resolutions.
• Reports violations of relevant City ordinances to supervisor or code enforcement personnel.
• Recognizes hazardous materials in the waste stream and reports findings to supervisor.
• Assists in setting up special events/activities; assists with traffic control and litter pickup.
• Uses precautionary safety equipment and gear; monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals.
• Performs general maintenance tasks necessary to keep machinery, equipment and tools in operable condition.
• Responds to emergency calls during hurricanes, inclement weather, or other emergency situations.
• Prepares or completes various forms, correspondence, reports, maintenance reports, ordinance violation sheets, and other documents.
• Receives various forms, reports, maintenance reports, work orders, manuals, maps, ordinances, regulations, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, contractors, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Communicates via two-way radio and/or telephone and provides information and assistance as necessary.
• Assists supervisor in ensuring departmental compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules regulations, standards, policies and procedures; assists with daily operations of solid waste collection.
• Assists supervisor with coordinating work activities, maintaining inventory of department supplies and equipment, and ensuring availability of equipment and supplies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of basic arithmetic operations.
• Skill in operating, maneuvering and/or controlling the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Ability to compile, assemble, copy, record and/or transcribe data according to a prescribed scheme or plan. Includes judging whether readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics are similar to or divergent from prescribed standards, procedures or routines.
• Ability to exchange information for the purpose of clarifying details within well-established policies, procedures and standards, and to maintain a favorable working relationship with fellow employees.
• Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.
• Ability to read maps.
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form. Involves semi-routine standardized work with some latitude for independent judgment concerning choices of action.
• Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties which are often characterized by frequent change.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent; supplemented by one (1) years of previous experience and/or training involving equipment operation and solid waste collection; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Licenses or Certifications: Valid State of Alabama driver’s license; Alabama Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is moderate work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force. Work requires regular and, at times, sustained performance of physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, bending, and crawling, that involves lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds, color, textures and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in an outdoor environment. Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, pollen, pests, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, disease, or pathogenic substances.