Solid Waste Operator I and II

The primary purpose of this position is to perform the collection and processing of solid waste material, including hazardous waste, at the landfill, scrap yard, recycle, and transfer station.
 
Solid Waste Operator I – Under direct supervision by the Chief Solid Waste Operator, an employee in this position performs routine processing of solid waste materials. This is an entry-level position where an employee primarily works in the field to learn the essentials of solid waste management, safety practices, and basic tools, and equipment operation.
 
Solid Waste Operator II – Under the general supervision by the Chief Solid Waste Operator, an employee in this position performs mid-level processing of solid waste materials which require more years of experience successfully performing the work.  The Solid Waste Operator II also regularly operates light to moderate heavy equipment and performs collection and processing of hazardous waste chemicals.  
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Interfaces with the public and operates sanitary landfill, scrap yard, recycle, and transfer station
• Keeps related records for billing and compliance by accurately logging pertinent data to record daily solid waste operations
• Utilizes a computer maintenance management system to receive, track, and log work assignments
• Performs daily, weekly, monthly, and annually, equipment, site, and facility inspections and prepares inspection reports as directed
• Performs preventative maintenance on all solid waste equipment, facilities, and grounds
• Cleans, fuels, lubricates, and performs repairs on Solid Waste equipment, tools, and facilities
• Collects and prepares authorized disposal items for final disposition, such as shipping or landfilling, by safely removing all hazardous materials in an environmentally responsible manner  
• Coordinates and prepares by sorting, packaging, and completing manifests for all processed types of solid waste materials onto shipping containers to ensure loads are secure for transport on interstate highway system  
• Operates light to medium and heavy equipment and is responsible for regular maintenance
• Compacts, bales or logs, sorts, cuts, classifies, and loads scrapped materials into shipping containers at the Scrap Yard
• Operates heavy equipment to perform construction & demolition activities, biosolids processing, overburden management, and other various materials processing and disposal, and capping materials for proper cell disposal
• Performs other duties as assignedKnowledge of:
 
Solid Waste Operator I:
• Basic knowledge of safety practices in construction or solid waste industry
• Knowledge of basic construction tools and equipment is desirable
• Safe motor vehicle operations and maintenance
• Fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic at the high school level
• General understanding of solid waste management work and equipment and materials
• Acceptable work habits and practices

Solid Waste Operator II:
In addition to list above for the Solid Waste Operator I, all higher levels must also have knowledge of:  
• Local, state, and federal codes, laws, and other requirements related to solid waste management activities
• Operational means and methods associated with solid waste management operations and maintenance activities
• Safe work practices associated with activities typical of a solid waste management facility
• All applicable CBS and Public Works directives, including general code, policies, plans, strategies, and procedures
 
Skills in:
• Operating a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks
• Operating light tools or medium and heavy equipment to dismantle and process scrap materials for recycle
• Customer service geared towards providing a positive and professional experience for all citizens
 
Ability to:
• Recognize and maintain confidential information
• Comprehend and follow safety requirements, and state and federal requirements
• Understand and follow policies, procedures, and instructions
• Learn and master operational skills for a wide variety of light and heavy equipment
• Maintain working knowledge of solid waste practices, equipment capabilities, and regulatory compliance.
• Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
• Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports of work progress and problems  
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
• Quickly learn and put new skills and knowledge to use  
Minimum Qualifications

Solid Waste Operator I:
 
• High School Diploma or GED; and
• Valid Alaska driver's license with clean driving record; and
• Some experience in construction or maintenance, preferred; and
• Some experience working with basic construction or maintenance tools and equipment, preferred.
 
Note:  After twenty-four consecutive months working as a Solid Waste Operator I, an employee will be eligible to move to a Solid Waste Operator II Grade 8 so long as all licenses and certificates listed below for a Solid Waste Operator II have been obtained and the employee has at least two written satisfactory
evaluations on record subject to approval by the Public Works Director.
 
Solid Waste Operator II:
 
• Two years working satisfactorily as a Solid Waste Operator I with Sitka and all required licenses and certificates; or
• High School Diploma or GED; and  
• Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a clean driving record; and  
• Two years of experience in solid waste management, recycling, or a related field; and
• One year of experience operating some or all of the following heavy equipment: loaders, forklift, skid steer  
• Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
 
Other Job Requirements or Expectations

Solid Waste Operator I:  
• Possession of, or ability to successfully obtain within 6 months of hire:
o Alaska Class B commercial driver’s license  
o First Aid, CPR, and AED certification
o HAZWOPER 24-hour Training
• Possession of, or ability to successfully obtain within 12 months of hire:
o SWANA Transfer Station Safety and Operations Training
o OSHA 10 Construction Safety certificate
o Forklift/Powered Industrial Vehicle Operator Training
 
Solid Waste Operator II:  
 
 In addition to the job requirements listed above for the Solid Waste Operator I:
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire as a Solid Waste Operator II,
o OSHA 30 Construction Safety Training
o HAZWOPER 40-hour Training
o EPA Section 608 Universal Certificate
o SWANA Landfill Operator Training
• Expected to become proficient, within 12 months from date of hire, in operating safely, effectively, and efficiently managing hazardous waste chemicals and gasses, sorting solid waste materials for maximum revenue, operating shear, baler, and compactor systems, and operate excavator, loader, and forklift.  
 
All employees are expected to also do the following while employed as a Solid Waste Operator:

• Maintain the above-required certifications for the duration of their employment in Public Works
• Wear the right attire and safety gear for the work assigned  
• Work hours outside of normal shifts in the early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays and be on-call for 24 hours when necessary  
• Operate snow and ice management equipment as needed
Working Conditions:
• Works in the field outside, often in inclement weather with related hazards, about 95% of the time
• Works in office setting about 5% of the time performing scale shack duties, time entry, and work order entry
• Works on and around active vehicle dismantling and hazardous waste processing activities with related hazards
• Employee works daily with hazardous waste including, but not limited to, refrigerant from air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, and vehicles, fluorescent bulbs, mercury switches, oils, antifreeze, fuels, batteries, electronic waste, asbestos, household hazardous waste, pressurized cylinders, biosolids, construction & demolition waste, and municipal solid waste.
• Employee works regularly on light to heavy equipment such as balers, compactors, excavator, loaders, boom cranes, shears, forklifts, roll-off truck, trailers, snowplows, sweeping equipment, vac tanks, small engines, weight scales, and similar equipment which involve moving mechanical parts and at time in precarious places.
 
Specific Physical Requirements:
• Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling and crouching  
• Frequent lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying up to 50 pounds with or without assistance from appropriate equipment
• Frequent physical movement (walking, standing, sitting, stooping, climbing) throughout the workday depending on operational needs and where working (office or field)
• Frequently sits or rides in equipment for long periods of time  
• Frequently reaches, handles, and feels in order to operate vehicles and equipment
• Hearing acuity to recognize alarms and other equipment noises or sounds
• Visual acuity required to:  
o See both near and far acuity to operate vehicles and equipment, monitor operations and observe people and objects
o Have the required depth perception to operate vehicles safely and effectively

General Physical Requirements:
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing which permits the employee to communicate effectively  
• Sufficient vision, and powers of observation, which permits the employee to operate heavy equipment and tools, used in solid waste management, safely and effectively
• Sufficient manual dexterity which permits the employee to utilize computers and heavy equipment controls or grasp tools used in the management of waste
• Sufficient physical mobility and reflexes which permits the employee to climb, enter and exit confined spaces, inside and outdoors to manipulate equipment and adhere to safety protocols in the management of solid waste

Salary : $25 - $27