Sanitation - Solid Waste Collector

Position Open Until Filled

Job Title: Solid Waste Collector

Department: Public Works

Division: Solid Waste

Supervisor: Business Operations and Logistics Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Grade: 22 (2025)

Union Code: General City

Revised: August 2025

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Business Operations and Logistics Manager, is responsible for collecting refuse, yard waste, and recycling on designated routes within municipality and performing landfill maintenance and services to other departments/divisions, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Possession of a valid South Dakota Class B Commercial Driver's License with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to operate light/heavy equipment and small tools.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; this position does not support visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• General knowledge of city streets and roadways.
• Experience operating Automated Side Load (ASL) trucks.
• General understanding of department, municipal government, etc.

Major Duties (Essential Function)

• Safely operate automated waste collection trucks to collect, transport, and dispose of MSW, Recyclables, and yard waste.
• Perform preventive maintenance on waste collection trucks and other vehicles, as needed.
• Assist in the maintenance and care of the landfill site by performing duties including, but not limited to, litter abatement, mowing and caring for the landscape, painting, repairing fences and maintaining shelter belts.
• Deliver collection carts to residents’ homes as needed.
• Perform duties in a manner consistent with safe practices and policies.
• Perform such other duties as deemed necessary.

Marginal Duties

• Assist other departments/divisions, as needed by performing duties including, but not limited to, assisting with snow operations and park maintenance.
• May operate hoisting device that raises refuse bin attached to rear of truck.
• May physically dump contents into opening in enclosed truck body.
• May haul tree branches and other materials. May remove debris from alleys and streets.
• Attend training, seminars and workshops as deemed necessary.

Physical Demands/Work Environment (Essential Function)

• Physical Demands
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
  • The employee is frequently required to stand, sit, talk, or hear.
  • The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
• Work Environment
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions.
  • The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration.
  • The noise level in the work environment is occasionally loud.

Mental Complexity/Interpersonal Contacts (Essential Function)

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple instructions.
• Must have courteous and positive relationships with public and other staff

Pre-employment Screening

• Pre-employment screening may include, but are not limited to, the following: references, criminal background, credit history, drug and alcohol screening, medical history questionnaire, and pre-employment physical.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job‐related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.