Solid Waste Operator I and II

Primary Purpose of Job
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 (Grade 6)

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 (Grade 8) :

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 drivers 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