Demo

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Town of Cary
Town of Cary Salary
Cary, NC Full Time
POSTED ON 6/4/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/17/2026

Cary, NC believes that employees are one of our most important resources. The Public Works Department has an outstanding opportunity to join our team and proudly support Cary’s commitment to providing excellent service to our citizens as an Equipment Operator within our Solid Waste Division. As a Solid Waste/Recycling Equipment Operatoryou will have a unique opportunity to change lives through exceptional service.


The equipment operator position is responsible for performing routine work in the operation of a right-hand side-drive fully automated collection truck in the collection of residential refuse and/or recyclable materials. Equipment. Our ideal team member is willing to work hard and displays a passion for customer service. The individual must also have a commitment to teamwork and flexibility in order to complete routes and fulfill operational needs in an efficient manner. They must possess an attention to detail to ensure a safe and clean work environment. Finally, we are seeking an individual who will take pride in their accomplishments and the difference they make in the Cary community. 

 

Work is performed on a four-day work week schedule,  which is typically Monday through Thursday, for 10 hours a day under the regular supervision of a Solid Waste Operations Coordinator. Solid Waste Management positions are "critical positions", meaning you are required to report to work during adverse weather or other emergency situations to maintain equipment and/or assist the Solid Waste Management Division in any capacity necessary to continue Town operations. 

 

Drives a specialized dual drive, fully automated truck (right hand side drive) on residential routes and collects refuse and/or recyclable materials in sanitation carts at curbside; 
 
Dumps carts into a truck hopper by operating a joy stick, which controls a mechanical arm; 
 
Exercises care and caution to make sure mechanical arm on the truck is in and truck is clear of traffic and people before proceeding; 
 
Operates the packer to pack and dump refuse or recyclable materials; 

Exits truck to pick up "red flag" pick-ups for disabled customers;
 
Drives assigned routes and collects approximately 1,000 homes per day as a one-person crew; 
 
Drives the truck to designated disposal facility and dumps load before returning to the route; 
 
Performs pre and post trip inspections of truck; 
 
Completes daily log sheet of activities; 
 
Performs cleaning and general maintenance of the truck; 
 
Answers questions from citizens regarding department procedures; 
 
Performs other job-related tasks as required. 

General knowledge of traffic laws and the safe operation of motorized and hydraulic equipment; skill in the operation of a large collection truck; ability to perform continuous heavy manual work at a steady pace and under various weather conditions; ability to understand and follow specific oral instructions; ability to perform routine lubrication procedures; ability to read and understand a map; ability to understand and follow specific oral and written instructions. 

 

Physical Requirements 

Work in this class is moderate work but may require periodic moderate to heavy lifting while picking up and carrying items. Although work is performed primarily inside the cab of the vehicle, work may require exposure to various environmental conditions such as heat, cold, rain, and unpleasant surroundings. An employee must have the physical agility to get in and out of the truck and the dexterity to operate the joystick. The ability to see is necessary to operate controls and the vehicle. An employee must also be able to hear in order to listen to the operation of the truck. An employee must be able to ride 8 to 10 hours in truck. 

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and 3 years of experience in operation of motorized and hydraulic equipment. 


Requires possession of a valid class "B" commercial driver's license with an acceptable driving record and an air brake endorsement.
 

Preferred Requirements
3 years of experience operating a right-hand side-drive fully automated collection truck in the collection of residential refuse and/or recyclable materials.

Special Requirements 

Requires National Incident Management System (NIMS) training (provided) 
 

Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment. 

Salary : $49,150 - $76,190

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$50,084 - $69,688
Income Estimation: 
$54,660 - $73,879
Income Estimation: 
$48,232 - $59,817
Income Estimation: 
$83,358 - $103,871
Income Estimation: 
$71,548 - $88,918
Income Estimation: 
$63,993 - $81,891
Income Estimation: 
$76,263 - $101,711

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR.

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Carpentry Skill

    • Income Estimation: $42,592 - $53,338
    • Income Estimation: $45,665 - $61,386
  • Facility Maintenance & Coordination Skill

    • Income Estimation: $48,721 - $70,931
    • Income Estimation: $48,653 - $61,184
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Town of Cary

  • Town of Cary Cary, NC
  • Science tells us that while a person can survive up to three weeks without food, they can’t go more than three to four days without water. In fact, water i... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • Town of Cary Cary, NC
  • Join Our Team as a Water Reclamation Facility Operator! Are you ready to make a splash in your career? At the Town of Cary, we believe our greatest asset i... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • Town of Cary Cary, NC
  • Are you a detail-driven professional who finds satisfaction in bringing order to complexity? Cary is seeking a Capital Asset Coordinator to serve as the ba... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • Town of Cary Cary, NC
  • Cary wants to challenge and reimagine the standard for what local government can be — and the Development Liaison Supervisor position reflects that ambitio... more
  • 3 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR jobs in the Cary, NC area that may be a better fit.

  • Meridian Waste Wendell, NC
  • Summary: The Operator – Heavy Equipment is responsible for the safe operation of heavy equipment at a recycling center, landfill or transfer station for th... more
  • 13 Days Ago

  • Town of Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
  • To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to... more
  • 1 Day Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!