Recycling Equipment Operator I

Position Summary

The recycling equipment operator operates forklifts, skid loaders, mini loaders, and commodity balers at the Metro Recycling Facility. Performs general maintenance of assigned equipment and general cleaning and organization to contribute to overall efficient operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Operates light equipment, including the secondary baler, forklifts, and mini end loaders. Provides basic maintenance work, lubrication, and troubleshooting activities.
• Acts as operator in training on medium equipment, including end loaders, the primary baler, and the recycling sorting equipment. Serves as the back-up to the Recycling Equipment Operator II as needed.
• Ensures quality bale production and notifies lead and/or supervisor of necessary sort line modifications.
• Occasionally sorts recyclables and removes unacceptable material from the inbound recycling stream.
• Sorts and transports salvage items to designated areas.
• Transports bales of material and loads outbound semi-trailers.
• Performs general maintenance checks and helps with equipment maintenance, services, cleaning, lubrication, diagnosis, and repair. Communicates and maintains proper service and repair records.
• Actively contributes to a positive safety-focused environment and culture.
• Adheres to shop cleanliness, organizational systems and facility standard work procedures while maintaining a vision for continuous improvement.

Environmental Stewardship – Demonstrates an understanding of Metro Waste Authority’s Environmental Management System (EMS). Guided by the EMS processes and procedures, we focus on six main areas aimed at increasing diversion and/or protecting the environment. These include:

• Recycling
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection
• Yard Waste Management
• Water Quality Improvement
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction
• Environmental Education

MWA Values - Demonstrates an understanding of Metro Waste Authority’s values and applies them to the

position, and assigned responsibilities, as well as to all interactions with customers and co-workers.

• Leadership – Set the example because everyone is a leader!
• Integrity – Always do what is right!
• Positivity – Bring our best to every task, every day and bring out the best in your colleagues!
• Teamwork – Collaborate because we know that together we will address opportunities and challenges!
• Innovation – Forge a new path and evolve!

Competencies

• Accepting Direction- Accepts and follows directions from others; respects authority; complies with requests; does what they are asked to do
• Accepting Responsibility- Takes accountability for delivering on commitments; owns mistakes and uses them as opportunities for learning and development; openly discusses his/her actions and their consequences both good and bad
• Championing Customer Needs - Calls attention to issues that impact customer satisfaction; views thing from the perspective of customers; encourages people to think about customers when making decisions
• Acquiring Information - Consults with others on problems and activities; collects information from a range of sources to assist and guide job activities; asks effective questions to obtain information to help him/her perform their job
• Demonstrating Initiative - Takes action on his/her own without being prompted; handles problems independently; able to resolve issues without relying on extensive help from others; does more than is expected or asked
• Supporting Coworkers - Responds positively to requests; helps others achieve their goals; considers how his/her actions will impact others; looks for ways to contribute to the team
• Safety - Demonstrates “Safety First” in every activity; reports hazards and incidents promptly; fosters a culture of Safety, Service, Schedule with team interactions.

Travel

This position requires no travel.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Forklift Certification
• First-Aid – CPR certified
• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Education & Experience

Prior equipment operating and mechanical experience

Physical Demands

Maximum occasional horizontal transfer, 50 lbs.; Maximum occasional floor to waist lift, 50 lbs.; Maximum occasional bilateral carry, 50 lbs.; Maximum occasional horizontal push/pull, 50 lbs. of force; Maximum frequent right/left grip, 50 lbs. of force; Maximum occasional right/left 2-point/3-point/lateral pinch, 5/10/15 lbs. of force; Constant forward/lateral reaching; Occasional sitting; Occasional to Frequent standing; Occasional to Frequent walking; Occasional stair climbing; Frequent ladder climbing; Occasional climbing to 15 in.; Occasional squatting; Occasional crouching; Occasional to Frequent bending; Occasional stooping; Occasional to Frequent twisting.

Work Environment

This job is frequently required to perform work outdoors year-round with exposures to weather conditions prevalent at the time. This role will routinely be exposed to vibration and loud background noise and will frequently be exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. Occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; work in high, precarious places; risk of electric shock; and extreme heat (non-weather), Occasional non-regular work hours, which may include nights and weekends.