Solid Waste Operator I

Department        Solid Waste

Classification    Grade 8

Reports to         Solid Waste Supervisor

                              Solid Waste Administrator

                              Solid Waste Operator-Lead            

Unit                      IUOE Local No. 49-Solid Waste                            

Supervises          N/A  

FLSA Status        Non-exempt

Position Description 

Service a route for collection and deliveries of recyclables and organics, including loading, unloading, and sorting. Responsible for accepting and properly disposing of incoming waste to the Hubbard County transfer stations, household hazardous    waste areas, demolition landfill areas, reuse center, and recycling center. Maintain buildings, equipment, and grounds of the facilities. Follow state and federal regulatory compliance and guidelines for the facilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Service a route for collection of recyclables and organics including loading, unloading and sorting.
• Haul recyclables, organics, municipal solid waste (MSW), household hazardous waste (HHW), and other materials as needed.
• Accept incoming recyclables, waste; inspect loads, including identifying HHW; assist with unloading.
• Properly sort, bale, and store recyclables in designated areas and containers; sort, store or package, document quantities and type of HHW, including electronics, lights, batteries, and prepare for shipment; sort and track materials for reuse, assist with loading and distribution of reuse materials.
• Communicate with the public, businesses, and recycling facilities regarding pickups, deliveries, shipments; direct traffic to appropriate sites for disposal of waste, recycling, HHW, and reuse.
• Charge contractors and out-of-county users fees and issue Provide customer service in person, by telephone, or email.
• Operate the weigh scale, including processing tickets and payments.
• Operate heavy/off-road equipment (packer truck, hook-lift truck, compactor, baler, backhoe, dozer, loader, semi, forklift, skid steer, telehandler, material handler, horizontal grinder), including empty transfer station dumpsters; unload and load trucks; compact, cover and slope demolition waste.
• Maintain heavy off-road equipment, including detailed service, maintenance, and inspection logs on all equipment and fueling stations (diesel, propane, ).
• Maintain facilities buildings and grounds, including snow removal, building upkeep, general cleaning, mowing, weed whipping, etc. and recycling areas (scrap metal, tires, fluorescent tubes, waste oil/filters, concrete, brush, electronics).

Qualifications and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Minimum qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent and 2 years work experience operating heavy equipment (i.e. compactor, baler, backhoe, dozer, loader, garbage truck, semi, forklift, skid steer, telehandler, material handler, hook-lift truck) and mechanical background; Or 4 years work experience operating heavy equipment (i.e. compactor, baler, backhoe, dozer, loader, garbage truck, semi, forklift, skid steer, telehandler, material handler, hook-lift truck) and  mechanical background.

• Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) with air brakes; Or Class B CDL and must obtain Class A CDL with air brakes within 6 months of hire.

• Successfully pass a pre-placement screen, contingent upon a job
• Successfully pass a pre-placement-controlled substance test (under the Federal Drug and Alcohol Testing law) and completion of Release of Information 49 CFR Part 40 (40.25, as amended) 301, contingent upon a job offer.
• Obtain Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Type III Solid Waste Facility Operator Certification within 6 months of
• Complete OSHA Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) training within 1 year of hire

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge:  General maintenance of heavy and light equipment. Area of operation and familiarity with roads and highways. Hazardous waste identification and handling. Adhere to all laws, statutes, policies and rules with the essential level of confidentiality and safety required of the position.

Skills: Work safely using heavy equipment around public traffic. Record keeping for load documentation, billing, receipts, maintenance records, etc. Proficient in using automated systems relevant to the position.  Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with all stakeholders relevant to the position.  Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills, accuracy, and problem solving.

Abilities: Work a flexible schedule. Work in heavy traffic areas, extreme weather conditions, fast-paced environment, independently. Complete job tasks in a timely manner with frequent interruptions, multi-task, detail oriented. Establish and maintain effective working relationships.  Follow established procedures and directives from supervisors. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Class A CDL with air
• MPCA Type III Solid Waste Facility Operator
• OSHA HAZMAT training
• Work experience, beyond the minimum qualification, operating heavy equipment (i.e. compactor, baler, backhoe, dozer, loader, garbage truck, semi, forklift, skid steer, telehandler, material handler, hook-lift truck, horizontal grinder) and mechanical background.
• Forklift certification.

Physical Requirements

To view the Functional Job Analysis, click here.

Note (Management Right)

The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.  Regular attendance on the job and the performance of other duties as assigned are required.  The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this position description at any time.