Solid Waste Addendum Only - Solid Waste Laborer I

Solid Waste Addendum Only - Solid Waste Laborer I

Salary

$26.88 - $36.53 Hourly

Location

County Wide-Various Possible County Worksites, Snohomish County, WA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-PWK8436R-SWLABI-JULY-BU

Department

Public Works

Division

Public Works Solid Waste Operations

Opening Date

07/10/2026

Closing Date

7/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

OPEN TO MEMBERS OF AFSCME 109 PUBLIC WORKS - SOLID WASTE ADDENDUM BARGAINING UNIT ONLY

This job posting is to fill a vacant Solid Waste Laborer I position and is open to the following employees:

• All current regular AFSCME 109 Public Works-Solid Waste Addendum Bargaining Unit employees. Current Solid Waste regular employees will have precedence based on seniority date.
• Current AFSCME 109 Public Works-Solid Waste temporary employees.

We are looking for motivated, team-oriented individuals who are passionate about delivering top-notch customer service. As a key member of our team, you'll help customers safely dispose of household waste and recycling at transfer stations across the county. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and a friendly, customer-first approach. Training will be provided by the County to perform various tasks and operate assigned equipment.

Duties assigned will include:

• Providing excellent customer service to Solid Waste customers
• Manual labor tasks, including but not limited to sweeping, hosing, shoveling, lifting, and carrying heavy objects
• Learning to operate various equipment, including but not limited to backhoe, forklift, terminal tractor, and hydraulic compactor.
• All work is day shift, including weekends and some holidays, at any of our Solid Waste facilities.

The Solid Waste Laborer I position is a training position, working toward mandatory certification as a Solid Waste Laborer II and Solid Waste Laborer III.

SELECTION AND REVIEW PROCESS:

Apply today! All correspondence to the applicant is by email.

• Complete and submit the on-line application before the closing date to be considered.

• Minimum qualifications screening.

• Job Related Test: Please complete your responses to the supplemental questions. The supplemental questions will be scored for applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. Oral Interviews are required for any regular or temporary employee who has not interviewed for the Site Attendant I or Solid Waste Laborer I position within the previous six (6) months.

• Selection Review:

• Regular Status Employees:

• Most senior employee to pass the job-related test will move forward in the review process and receive a conditional offer.

• If a Regular Status Employee does not apply, then a Temporary Status Employee will be considered.

• Temporary Status Employees:

• Interview scores will be used to determine ranking. If interview scores are the same, an anonymous draw will be conducted by the AFSCME Union.

• The employee must pass the job-related test to move forward in the review process to receive a conditional offer.

• Priority will be given based on Bargaining Unit hire date to receive a conditional offer.

• Conditional Offer:

• Medical Exam/Physical Abilities Test:

• Tests will be required for employees who have not successfully completed and passed the Medical Exam/ Physical Abilities Test for the Site Attendant I or Solid Waste Laborer I position within the previous six (6) months. (Will be scheduled by Snohomish County Public Works Human Resources Department.)

• Criminal background check must be passed for final selection.

• If all conditions are met, a hire date and work schedule will be determined by the department, and a letter will be issued.

For information about this job opportunity and posting, please email: SPW-Recruitment.

Job Duties

BASIC FUNCTION

Performs a variety of skilled and unskilled tasks in support of solid waste disposal and recycling operations. The Laborer I position is a training position, working toward certification as a Solid Waste Laborer II.

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Directs incoming and departing vehicles to/from unloading areas at a transfer station or landfill.
• Enforces safety rules and regulations for all users of the facility; may assist customers in unloading vehicles, as necessary.
• Provides information and assistance to customers in a professional, courteous and tactful manner regarding disposal and recycling procedures, fees, rules, policies and options.
• Cleans and sweeps unloading area; picks up and disposes of litter; may perform a variety of facility maintenance tasks such as mowing and watering lawns, raking leaves, and cleaning out culverts and drainage ditches.
• Operates a yard goat/tractor and unhooks and moves loaded solid waste trailers from the transfer station compactor unit or top-load bay; positions and parks loaded trailers in the service yard; moves and positions unloaded trailers and ensures positive hookup with the compactor unit or proper alignment in the top-loading bay.
• Inspects, operates and performs basic maintenance and service on backhoes, ATVs, compaction equipment, power units, fan systems, push blades, stationary cranes, forklifts, yard goat/tractor, and various other pieces of recycling and solid waste related equipment.
• Adjusts landing gear on trailers, opens and closes intermodal container doors, and tarps and untarps top loading trailers.
• Maintains and services all solid waste facility equipment by cleaning, checking fluid levels, lubricating equipment and making minor adjustments as required; maintains equipment service records for assigned equipment.
• Accurately logs and inputs transaction ticket information in a computerized scale automation system.
• Drives a pickup truck or other light vehicle in order to pick up supplies, recyclables, litter, and solid waste or transport crews.
• Identifies hazardous wastes and segregates as necessary for pick up, and contacts various vendors and MRW for various automotive and other waste/recyclables pickup and service of containers.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED or any equivalent combination of training and or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Must pass job related tests.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A valid Washington State Driver's License is required for employment.

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid First Aid/CPR card within six (6) months of employment is required.

• A job offer will be conditioned on satisfactory results of a driver's license abstract.

• Satisfactorily complete certification on the following pieces of equipment/systems within six (6) months of employment:

• backhoe

• yard goat

• compactor

• push blades

• forklift

• stationary crane

• waste export scale automation system

• timekeeping system

• other recycling and solid waste handling equipment

• A job offer will be conditioned on satisfactory results of a post-offer drug screen test; and a Physical Capacities Evaluation performed by a qualified healthcare professional selected by Snohomish County.

Because this job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test may be required prior to employment.

• A job offer will be conditioned on satisfactory results of criminal background check.

Additional Information

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• personal computers
• maintenance of assigned equipment in a safe operating condition
• the potential hazards associated with the work
• basic mathematics

Ability to:

• deal courteously and tactfully with the general public
• provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers
• perform routine manual labor tasks including pushing, pulling, opening and closing intermodal transfer container doors, tarping and untarping containers, picking up/lifting and carrying heavy objects in a safe, efficient manner
• understand and follow oral and written directions
• read, understand and enforce safety rules and regulations
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with coworkers and superiors;
• remain composed and professional in stressful situations
• accurately input data into computerized scale automation system
• drive a pick-up truck or other light vehicle in a safe and courteous manner
• learn First Aid/CPR methods and procedures
• sweep and shovel waste
• crank chassis landing gear, drop box winches, and other container tarping systems
• perform mathematical calculations

SUPERVISION

Employees report to a Transfer Station Operator or Solid Waste Operations Supervisor as assigned. The work is routine and recurring in nature, and is performed in a team atmosphere. Specific instructions are given for unusual or non-routine tasks.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work includes being able to routinely pick up, lift and carry objects weighing in excess of 50 pounds. The work is performed both indoors and outdoors, at or outside the gates of solid waste facilities, in all types of weather. The work involves rotating shift assignments and requires that employees work evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime as necessary. The employee must be able to change work locations with little to no prior notice.

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.

EEO policy and ADA notice

Snohomish County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees that receive a regular appointment who work at least 20 hours a week.

Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/Benefits to learn more about the following benefits.

County Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement
• Basic Group Term Life Insurance/ Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Commuting Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Partners for Health Employee Wellness Program
• Leave & Holidays

Voluntary Benefits

• Deferred Compensation 457(b)
• Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance
• Additional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Supplemental Individual Insurance Policies

Healthcare Premiums

• Regular full-time employees: If you work 35 or more hours per week, you will pay these monthly premiums for medical insurance. The County pays the monthly premiums for vision, dental, and basic life insurance.
• Regular part-time employees: If you work between 20 and 34 hours per week, you will pay pro-rated monthly premiums for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. The Countys contribution toward the premium for an employee in a regular part-time appointment will be pro-rated in an amount equal to the F.T.E. percentage the employee is assigned.

Note: Temporary employees, seasonal employees and paid interns may be eligible for medical insurance benefits. Review the Countys ACA Employer Shared Responsibility Guide to learn more.

01

This job posting is open to current regular or temporary Snohomish County AFSCME 109 Public Works-Solid Waste Addendum Bargaining Unit employees only.

Are you a current regular or temporary Snohomish County AFSCME 109 Public Works-Solid Waste Bargaining Unit employee? If no, you will be removed from the hiring process.

• Yes
• No

02

Following are a series of supplemental questions designed to assess your job-related experience and qualifications. Please note that as part of the screening process your responses will be reviewed in conjunction with your general online application. The employment history and education detailed in your general application must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process.

A resume may be submitted, but it will not substitute for the general online application or supplemental questions; responses such as "see resume" or "see application" will not be considered.

Do you agree to answer each question truthfully and that your responses can be supported by your general application/work history and by your references?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a High School Diploma or GED or any equivalent combination of training and or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have a valid Washington State Drivers License or the ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment?

• Yes, I have a valid Washington State Drivers License.
• No, but I can obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment.
• No, I do not have the ability to obtain one.

05

Below are a series of supplemental questions that will be scored. Do you understand you are required to complete the questions below?

• Yes
• No

06

If a ton equals 2,000 pounds, how many tons is equivalent to 360 pounds?

• 0.18 tons
• 5.55 pounds
• 18%
• 5.55 tons
• None of the above

07

A truck weighs in at 7.85 tons and weighs out at 4.76 tons. What is the net weight of the load in tons?

• 4.76 tons
• 12.61 tons
• 3.09 tons
• 7.85 tons
• None of the above

08

If a full truck comes in weighing 13,680 pounds and its empty weight is 9,800 pounds, how many tons did the garbage weigh?

• 9.8 tons
• 19.4 tons
• 38.80 tons
• 1.94 tons
• None of the above

09

A refuse truck enters the transfer station every 10 minutes. How many trucks will enter in a 12-hour period?

• 60
• 62
• 72
• 120
• None of the above

10

If a load of garbage weighs 3.5 tons, it will weigh how many pounds?

• 3,500
• 7,000
• 8,400
• 35,000
• None of the above

11

$25.726 X .04 = (round to the nearest cent)

• $102.91
• $10.29
• $1.03
• $.0103
• None of the above

12

If there is 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, how many cubic yards is 6 ft. x 4.5 ft. x 2 ft.?

• 1 cubic yard
• 2 cubic yards
• 5.4 cubic yards
• 54 cubic yards
• None of the above

13

While working, a customer makes a comment about our fee and demands to know why it is so high. You should:

• Tell the customer you dont know because you are new.
• Tell the customer that they can call management for an explanation.
• Tell the customer that it is confidential information available to County personnel only.
• Explain to the best of your ability, give the customer the appropriate brochure with the proper phone numbers on it, and instruct them to call the number on the brochure for further information.

14

Why is safety important in the work area?

• To protect the general public.
• To protect the employees in the work area.
• To avoid potential injuries to yourself and others.
• All of the above

15

When giving directions to a driver of a vehicle which is backing up, what must you do?

• Walk directly behind the vehicle, yelling instructions to the driver.
• Walk directly in front of the vehicle, making sure the driver doesnt use their mirrors.
• Have direct eye contact at all times and stand in a safe position to the side of the vehicle where you can be seen.
• None of the above

16

During the course of your workday, you come across a heavy object that was discarded in the wrong area. The object is too heavy for you to lift, but it needs to be moved. What would/should you do?

• Nothing. The object is too heavy
• Try to move it by yourself.
• Get a co-worker to help you move it.
• None of the above

17

A customer leaves a mess directly behind their truck, where the next customer needs to stand to unload their vehicle and starts to get into their vehicle to leave. What do you say to the customer?

• "Was this mess here when you parked here? You need to clean it up!"
• "This needs to be cleaned up before I can allow you to leave."
• "If you would please clean up behind your truck, it will help the next customer, and it will help keep our costs down."
• "You need to clean up after yourself, or you will not be allowed to use this facility again."

18

A customer arrives at your site five minutes prior to closing with a large load and it is obvious the customer will not be able to finish unloading in 5 minutes. To provide the best customer service possible, what should you do?

• Under no circumstance allow them to come in because it will cause unnecessary overtime.
• Tell the customer they will have to hurry to get unloaded in 5 minutes.
• Let the person in, and only allow them to unload for 5 minutes.
• Tell the person that the site closes in 5 minutes. They are welcome to try to unload their vehicle, but if they are not finished, they will have to leave and come back another time.

19

Which one of the following statements best explains why you are required to wear eye protection?

• To prevent your eyes from becoming fatigued in dusty environments.
• To protect your eyes from falling objects, or exposure to electrical hazards.
• To protect your eyes from flying particles or objects.
• Eye protection is not a required part of a uniform.

20

What should you do if a backup alarm fails on a piece of equipment?

• Ignore it and keep using the equipment.
• Use it as long as you are in a safe area to use it.
• Yell at customers and coworkers that you are moving past them.
• Report it to your supervisor for repair.

21

What is the first thing you should do if a customer complains of severe chest pain?

• Ask them if they need medicine.
• Make sure the area is safe and contact 9-1-1.
• Put on your personal protective equipment and provide CPR.
• None of the above

22

What is the best way to avoid slips, trips, and falls in a work area?

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Wear high traction footwear.
• Mount and dismount equipment safely by maintaining three points contact.
• All of the above

23

What is the first thing you should do when operating a piece of equipment, you are not familiar with?

• Proceed slowly with caution.
• Ask a co-worker to demonstrate how to use the equipment.
• Give yourself extra time to practice with the equipment before operating it.
• None of the above

24

An important task as a Laborer is to input transaction tickets. Look for any differences in Bold below between the answers choices. You need to find that one item in a set that does not agree with the corresponding item. No question has more than one difference between the sets of items. In the sets, all letters are in capitals, there are no periods, decimals, or dashes, and the names are listed last name first. These are not considered differences

RABU481754 APT32858 3043784 26 98

• RABU487154
• APT32858
• 3043784
• 26.98

25

28 55 RABU481896 NCT85703 3014106

• RABU481896
• 28.55
• 33041106
• NCT85703

26

NCT85864 RABV481476 3041143 26 38

• 3041143
• NCT85864
• RABU481476
• 26.38

27

3035102 SWT74983 25 69 RABU428209

• SWT74983
• 25.69
• RABU482209
• 3035102

28

RABU481954 APT33542 25 88 3042896

• 25.68
• APT33542
• RABU481954
• 3042896

Required Question

Employer Snohomish County

Address 3000 Rockefeller Ave M/S 503

Everett, Washington, 98201

Phone (425) 388-3411

Website http://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/2553