Solid Waste and Recycling Driver Collector I

Solid Waste and Recycling Driver Collector I

Salary

$55,161.60 - $67,995.20 Annually

Location

City Services Center- 500 15th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA

Job Type

Full-Time

Department

Utilities

Division

Solid Waste

Opening Date

07/08/2026

Closing Date

7/22/2026 11:59 PM Central

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

AFSCME

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The City of Cedar Rapids is hiring a Solid Waste and Recycling Driver Collector Ito join our Public Utilities team. In this vital role, you'll support daily waste and recycling collection-keeping our city clean, sustainable, and running smoothly. As a City employee, youll enjoy excellent benefits, including generous paid time off, top-tier health insurance, IPERS retirement, and career advancement opportunities within one of Iowa's largest and most innovative public utilities.

If youre dependable, safety-minded, and enjoy working outdoors while making a positive impact in your community, apply today and make a difference!

About our Organization

At the City, we are committed to employing individuals who reflect our community's diverse backgrounds and this position is crucial in the success and strategic direction of a growing and evolving community. We appreciate and leverage the vast experience individuals bring beyond the technical requirements of a job. If you are an individual with similar experience listed here please consider applying. Experience and skills combined with commitment to our core values is key to building a greater community now and for the next generation.

About our Community

Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Cedar Rapids is our vibrant and diverse community known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Our city has a strong sense of community which can be seen at any of our numerous parks, recreational opportunities, and family-friendly events year round. You can also explore our thriving downtown district, filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, or take a stroll along the Cedar River, which runs through the heart of the city. Cedar Rapids - Why you should live here!

About this Opportunity

Provides labor and leadership in carrying out a program of collection and disposal of either solid waste or recycling on a City-wide basis.

Works under general supervision, and follows directives received from Solid Waste/Recycling Management Office. Work is prescribed, but there is some latitude for independent judgment in carrying out routing activities.

The City of Cedar Rapids does not offer sponsorship for employment authorization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Drives and loads collection truck in the daily pickup of solid waste, yard waste or recycling;
• Picks up and sweeps up spilled garbage, debris, litter or recyclables and places in truck;
• Operates mechanisms for loading and unloading of garbage or recycling truck;
• Ensures that garbage and yard waste are collected separately;
• Ensures that only the designated recyclable materials are collected from recycling containers;
• Drives loaded truck to either the landfill, compost site, recycling facility or transfer station;
• Provides front line public relations activities by interacting with residential customers and staff in a professional manner;
• Ensures proper maintenance of garbage, yard waste, or recycling truck: conducts daily circle checks, reports minor or major mechanical problems to section mechanics via operator's circle check/squawk sheet, maintains all fluid levels as required, drives garbage, yard waste, or recycling truck into garage and cleans garbage/yard waste truck after completion of daily route and recycling truck as required;
• Maintains records of tagged garbage, yard waste or recycling and submits records to office daily;
• Adheres to all (OSHA) Occupational Safety Health Administration Rules and Regulations including the wearing of all designated safety equipment required by the City of Cedar Rapids Department of Solid Waste and Recycling;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City, State and Federal policies, procedures and safety practices;
• Attends work regularly at the designated place and time;
• Supports continuous process improvement initiatives;
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from High School or GED, and
• A minimum of one year of experience driving a CDL vehicle required,
• Experience with use of automated garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection trucks required,
• Experience driving garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection routes required,
• Experience picking up or delivering items preferred; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Required Special Qualifications

• Iowa Commercial Driver's License (Class B) with air brake endorsements and valid Medical Examiners Certificate.

Supplemental Information

Work Schedule

• M-F 6:30am-2:30pm

• Collector I New HireCollector I 1 yearCollector II 2 yearsCollector II 3 years$26.52$29.36$32.18 $34.02 Movement to Collector II will occur two years from hire date

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

The City of Cedar Rapids is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All job applicants will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history).

Applicants with Disabilities

We respect and value people with disabilities and are committed to providing a workplace culture of disability inclusion. People with disabilities are supported during the hiring process and are encouraged to apply for employment with the City of Cedar Rapids. In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided to those in need of assistance with the application and interview process. To request an accommodation, contact the Citys Human Resources department by phone at 319-286-5000 or by email at hr@cedar-rapids.org.

We offer benefits and beyond for our employees and their families!

The City of Cedar Rapids provides outstanding pay, benefits, time off, including:

• Medical co-insurance for participating providers of 90% plan / 10% employee
• Competitive pay
• Iowa Public Employee's Retirement Pension plans (IPERS) with a 9.44% City contribution and 6.29% employee contribution
• 457 deferred compensation employer match program (City will match up to 0.05% of your annual income each calendar year-learn more here.)
• Flexible Spending (Health Care and Dependent Care Accounts- learn more here)
• An average of 11 paid holidays per year
• Up to $3,000 per year in educational assistance
• 4 weeks of paid parental leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - (The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See more info here. )
• Annual pay increases
• Fiscal year pay increases as determined by bargaining contract
• Employees are eligible for longevity pay after 5 years of continuous service
• 100% City paid basic life insurance
• Dental, vision, long-term disability, and supplemental life insurance
• View our Bargaining Benefits Summaries
• Expansive job growth opportunities
• Commitment to professional development
• Private health & wellness coaching partnerships

01

Which of the following best indicates your highest level of education?

• I do not have a High School diploma or GED
• High School diploma or GED
• Some college (at least the equivalent of 1 year)
• Associates degree or vocational equivalent
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree or higher

02

Do you currently hold a valid Iowa Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air brake endorsement (Class A or B) and a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate? (Note: This IS a requirement of the position)

• Yes
• No

03

How many years of experience do you have driving a CDL vehicle; Experience with use of automated garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection trucks?

• Less than 1 year of experience
• At least 1 year of experience
• At least 3 years of experience
• At least 5 years of experience
• At least 7 years of experience
• At least 9 years of experience
• More than 10 years of experience

04

How many years of experience do you have with automated garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection trucks?

• Less than 1 year of experience
• At least 1 year of experience
• At least 3 years of experience
• At least 5 years of experience
• At least 7 years of experience
• At least 9 years of experience
• More than 10 years of experience

05

How many years of experience do you have with driving garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection routes?

• Less than 1 year of experience
• At least 1 year of experience
• At least 3 years of experience
• At least 5 years of experience
• At least 7 years of experience
• At least 9 years of experience
• More than 10 years of experience

06

How many years of experience do you have driving to picking up or delivering items?

• Less than 1 year of experience
• At least 1 year of experience
• At least 3 years of experience
• At least 5 years of experience
• At least 7 years of experience
• At least 9 years of experience
• More than 10 years of experience

07

Please briefly share your experience in driving a CDL vehicle or performing pick-up and delivery of items.

08

Please select any of the following experiences you have: (Select all that apply)

• Safely operating collection vehicles or related equipment (e.g., side-loading, rear-loading, automated, or recycling trucks)
• Lifting, carrying, and loading heavy or awkward items as part of daily work
• Collaborating effectively with a team to meet operational goals
• Learning and adapting quickly to new processes, equipment, or technology
• None of the above, but I have other similar experience.

09

Briefly describe your experience working collaboratively with diverse groups of people.

Required Question

Employer City of Cedar Rapids

Address 101 1st Street SE

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52401

Phone 319-286-5000

Website http://www.cedar-rapids.org/