Solid Waste Collection Driver I

Solid Waste Collection Driver I

Salary

$18.49 - $27.16 Hourly

Location

Employment Services

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

8058-32

Department

Public Works/Solid Waste

Division

Resdtl Support Svcs-YT 1105300000

Opening Date

07/30/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NA

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This is a skilled driving position that involves collecting solid waste, trash, brush, large bulk items, or recycled materials and operating solid waste collection vehicles in tight, confined locations and in the presence of other vehicles and pedestrians. If assigned as needed, the employee provides direction to Solid Waste Collectors and performs related manual tasks. Work is performed under the direction of a Supervisor and reviewed through observations and obtained results.

This posting is "Continuous" and can close at ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Operates a claw truck or manual rear-loader as a primary vehicle and one of the following secondary vehicles: front-loader, automated side-loader, and/or roll-off truck used in the collection and transportation of solid waste, trash, brush, or recycled materials to be determined by the Program Supervisor or the Solid Waste Manager.
• Operates other solid waste collection equipment on a temporary, trainee, or emergency basis.
• Ensures the truck is operational; fuels the truck; washes and greases the truck; conducts pre-trip and post-trip inspections; and reports the need for maintenance or repair of equipment to the Supervisor.
• Follows standard safety precautions when operating the equipment.
• Performs daily routine housekeeping on the assigned piece of equipment.
• Notifies supervisor of issues or concerns requiring attention.
• Teaches trainee drivers the proper operation of solid waste vehicles.
• Operates and/or trains in secondary truck operation a minimum of 40 hours each subsequent year to maintain classification.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• May be required to work overtime, or alternate hours, or any assigned route as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

PRIMARY TRUCKS

• Claw Truck: 46 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the truck numerous times daily from the cab to the platform behind the cab to run the crane. Climb up and down from the cab to the ground to rake up debris. Open and close the back doors of the truck six to eight times a day to empty the truck. Climbing, driving, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing, picking up trash and yard waste items. Must wash the truck daily with a scrub brush and pressure washer, and climb stairs to wash the top.
• Manual Rear-loader/ Alley Rear-loader: 19 inches from ground to floor of cab with no steps. Climbing in and out of the cab numerous times a day, driving, sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, lifting, and carrying items up to 50 lbs., and occasionally (either independently or with a teammate) lifting and carrying objects over 50 lbs. Must wash the truck at the end of the day with a scrub brush and pressure washer.

SECONDARY TRUCKS

• Automated side-loader: 43 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the cab numerous times a day. Driving, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing, servicing automated containers of 35, 65, or 95 gallons, walking up to customers and picking up trash that falls out of the container. Retrieving containers that fall into the hopper area. Must wash the truck daily with a scrub brush and pressure washer and climb a set of stairs to wash the top of the truck.
• Front-loader: 40 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the truck numerous times a day, driving, sitting, stooping, walking, lifting, pulling, pushing, servicing dumpsters 2 cubic yards, 4 cubic yards, 6 cubic yards, and 8 cubic yards. Opening and closing gates, pushing and pulling roll-out containers on wheels, and climbing a ladder to clean the top of the truck with a scrub brush and pressure washer.
• Roll-off: 53 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the cab numerous times a day (56 inches from ground to floor of cab). Driving, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing, servicing open-top and compactor roll-off containers. Ability to work in confined spaces when connecting and disconnecting the hoist lift cable, hoses, and electrical cables. Heavy pushing and pulling to open and close container doors for servicing. Must wash the truck at the end of the day with a scrub brush and pressure washer.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• May be assigned to remove and dispose of deceased animals.
• Required to physically load refuse.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

• Completion of eight school grades from an accredited school.
• One year of experience in the operation of commercial vehicles requiring a Florida Class "B" CDL or internal training completion and operation of City refuse collection equipment as temporary staffing.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida Class "B" CDL with appropriate endorsements as are required by the employing department and city policy.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Completion of the Solid Waste Safety Training Manual within 90 days from the date of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE

• Traffic rules and regulations.
• Operating commercial vehicles requiring a Florida Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Class B.
• Hazards of operation and appropriate safety rules and regulations.

ABILITIES

• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions, and work independently to perform regular duties.
• Use City radio, routing maps, shovels, rakes, and brooms.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Medium to heavy physical work, including frequent driving, sitting, standing, and walking, for eight to 10 hours daily.
• Frequent bending/stooping, climbing, crawling, fine manipulations, grasping, kneeling, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasional lifting/carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds.
• Risks routine and frequent exposure to significant environmental hazards and is 95% outside, including driving, bright/dim light, dust and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife, vibration, traffic, and moving machinery, heights, and fumes and/or noxious odors, possible exposure to significant environmental hazards; including disease/pathogens and toxic/caustic chemicals. The job is 5% inside a climate-controlled building.
• Ability to work in confined spaces when connecting and disconnecting the hoist lift cable, hoses, and electrical cables.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

The City of Lakeland is a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.

City of Lakeland

2026 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

• NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 4.52%

Employer 15.54%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.54%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.

Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.

01

Have you completed at least eight (8) school grades?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess one (1) year of experience in the operation of commercial vehicles requiring a Florida Class "B" CDL or internal training completion and operation of city refuse collection equipment as temporary staffing?

• Yes
• No

03

Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed. Note: The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.

04

Please indicate which type of valid drivers license you possess.

• Florida drivers license
• CDL Class "A"
• CDL Class "B"
• I have an out-of-state drivers license
• I do not have a valid drivers license

05

By clicking "Yes" below, I understand that all relevant work experience MUST be entered in the "Work Experience" section on my application. In addition, all current City of Lakeland employees must list all previous City of Lakeland work experience in the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to complete the "Work Experience" section will disqualify you from the application process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Lakeland, Civil Service

Address 500 N Lake Parker Avenue

Lakeland, Florida, 33801

Phone (863)834-8790

Website http://www.lakelandgov.net/employmentservices