TRASH/REFUSE COLLECTION EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

TRASH/REFUSE COLLECTION EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Salary

$46,529.60 - $74,422.40 Annually

Location

700 N. Broad Street, Gastonia, NC

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

01798

Department

Public Services

Division

Solid Waste/Sanitation

Opening Date

09/22/2026

Closing Date

10/31/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

FLSA

Non-Exempt

• Description
• Benefits

General Definition of Work

Performs intermediate semiskilled work in the operation of heavy motorized refuse collection equipment. Does related work as required. Work is performed under moderate supervision. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate operators and laborers.

Essential Functions/Duties

• Operate automatic refuse collection truck (one-armed bandits); Operates standard refuse collection truck; Operates flatbed truck with boom; Operates dump style flatbed truck; When not operating heavy equipment, assists refuse collectors in manual collection as needed; (90%)
• Services and makes minor repairs and adjustments on equipment; Able to perform pre/post trip DOT/COG inspections on vehicle; Ensures all safety equipment is located in/on vehicle. (10%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

General knowledge of the principles and practices of operating and servicing trucks and related medium duty refuse collection equipment; thorough knowledge of the traffic laws and regulations governing equipment operation; thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards involved and the safety precautions necessary to the proper operation of equipment; skill and care in the operation of several types of trucks and specialized maintenance; ability to understand and follow oral and written directions; mechanical aptitude; ability to make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment; dependability. Responsible for the safe placement of vehicle and safety of crew members at all times; Ability to be effective while supervising members of the crew while they are conducting daily route duties; maintains courtesy and respect to crew and other staff members; Provide and promotes positive customer service.

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information

Education/Experience:

Graduation from high school or equivalent and moderate experience in the operation of heavy motor equipment.

Physical Demands:

1. The physical activity of this position includes:

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or couching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
• Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

2. The physical requirements of this position:

• Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision:

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following:
• The worker is required to have visual acuity to perform one or more of the following: operate machines such as lathes, drill presses, power saws and mills where seeing job is at or within arms reach;

4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:

• The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions: No effective protection from weather.
• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
• The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour.
• The worker is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.
• The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.
• The worker is subject to vibration: Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.
• The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.
• The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
• The worker is subject to oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.

Special Requirements/Additional Information:

• Possession of a valid class B Commercial Driver License within 90 days of employment.

Must possess a valid appropriate drivers license with acceptable driving history.

Drug screening and criminal background checks required.

The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H

High Deductible Health Plan with HSA

Dental

Vision

Life

Supplemental Insurance Plans

Pension (Local Government Employees Retirement System)

401(k)

457

Short-term/Long-term Disability

Dependent Care Plan

Employee Assistance Program

On-Site Health Clinic

Employee Educational Assistance Program

Sick Leave (12 days per year)

Initial Employment Vacation: Starting at 12 days per year

Holidays (11 days per year)

Personal Day (1 day per year)

A comprehensive list of benefits can be found online at City of Gastonia Employee Benefits Handbook

Employer City of Gastonia

Address 181 South Street

Gastonia, North Carolina, 28052

Phone (704) 866-6859

(704) 866-6858

Website https://gastonianc.gov/