Solid Waste Technician

Spotsylvania County; Virginia; On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Spotsylvania County seeks a hands-on Public Works support role to assist the Operations Manager with litter pickup and solid waste tasks. You will coordinate with outside groups, supervise volunteers, and help at convenience centers as needed.

The role requires high school education, a valid Virginia driver's license, and proficiency in Word/Excel. Expect regular hours 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. with potential after-hours or weekend shifts and safety trainings.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; or combination of training/experience in environmental education, litter control, and/or solid waste/recycling programs.
• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Public Works Operations Manager with litter pickup and solid waste maintenance activities.
• Coordinate with and supervise outside agencies and groups to remove litter from County roadsides and illegal dumping sites.
• Fill in at Convenience Centers and assist with additional solid waste maintenance activities.
• Interact with volunteer organizations, community service workers, youth groups, and environmental organizations; communicate with groups in written and verbal format.
• Perform grounds maintenance including mowing and snow removal; operate various powered equipment.
• Operate trash/recycling compactors as needed.
• Assist in tire de-rimming, lacing, draining fluids from small engines, refrigerant recovery, painting and signage maintenance, site inspections and cleaning.

Skills

Public speaking

Coordination

Team supervision

Manual labor

Problem solving

Adaptability

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Under limited supervision, employee shall assist the Public Works Operations Manager with litter pickup and various solid waste maintenance activities. Duties shall include participation in, coordination with, and supervision of outside agencies and groups to perform the removal of litter from the County's roadsides and illegal dumping sites. They will also fill in when needed at Convenience Centers and assist with additional solid waste maintenance activities. Reports to the Public Works Operations Manager.

• Interacts directly with various groups including but not limited to volunteer organizations, community service workers, youth groups, and environmental organizations. Communicates with each group in both written and verbal format in an appropriate manner and should be comfortable communicating with large groups.
• Assists in grounds maintenance including landscaping duties (i.e., mowing, snow removal, and operation of various powered equipment)
• Performs various waste resource maintenance activities to include, but not limited to:
  • De-rimming and lacing of tires
  • Draining of fluid (i.e., gas/oil) from small engines
  • Refrigerant recovery from appliances
  • Painting and signage maintenance
  • Site inspections and cleaning activities
• Operates Trash/Recycling Compactors as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

High School Diploma or equivalent with experience in environmental education, litter control, and/or solid waste/recycling programs; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Must have knowledge of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

Work hours generally are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, employee may be required to work alternate schedules after normal business hours including Saturdays and Sundays, as needed.

Additional Safety Training to Include:

• Gate Attendant Training Program
• EPA 608 Refrigerant Technician Certification Type 1
• OSHA 10 Training
• Control of Hazardous Energy (LOTO Affected)
• Confined space awareness
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• CPR / First Aid
• Emergency Action
• Fire Prevention / Extinguishers
• Forklift
• Hand and Power tools
• Hazard Communication / GHS
• Summertime Safety / Heat Awareness
• PPE
• Spill Class / Hazmat
• Workplace Violence
• Work zone / Traffic Control
• Other training as assigned

• Knowledge of the purpose, policies, procedures, and issues of litter control and the Department's litter control/pick-up program.
• Knowledge of County organization, operation, programs, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of hazards and applicable safety requirements of the area of assignment, equipment, and machines used.
• Knowledge of and ability to use equipment, materials, and tools used in the maintenance trade. Some knowledge in the use of mowers, pruners, and other grounds maintenance equipment and tools.
• Knowledge of the standard methods, materials, and equipment employed in basic litter control and beautification project operations.
• Ability to perform strenuous work under varying weather conditions.
• Ability to assist in planning, coordinating, and supervising litter control activities and work performed by volunteers and juveniles.
• Ability to prepare a variety of reports and records; is able to follow instructions.
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise tact, courtesy, and firmness in contact with County officials, administration, and the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions from superiors as well as giving guidance and instructions to subordinates.
• Ability to read simple forms.
• Ability to prepare forms, time sheets and leave slips using prescribed format.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in standard English.
• Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations.
• Ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and professionally. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including power equipment, power tools, hand tools, shovels, rakes, computers, etc. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 75 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Physical demand requirements are for Heavy Work. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using janitorial equipment and hand tools. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as hand tools and janitorial equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving the nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.