SOLID WASTE OPERATOR

Salary : $44,424.00 - $62,520.00 Annually

Location : Riverside, CA

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 25-3391-01

Department : Public Works

Division : Public Works-Solid Waste-Coll

Opening Date : 02 / 27 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 9 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

The Position

The City of Riverside is accepting applications for the position of Solid Waste Operator in the Solid Waste Collection Division of the Public Works DepartmentThe eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and / or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months.

The Solid Waste Division consists of refuse collection, street sweeping, and Urban / Forestry Landscape operations. Approximately 68 employees are assigned to the Solid Waste Division located at the City of Riverside Corporation Yard. Refuse collection provides weekly residential pick up of trash, recycled, and green waste for approximately 80,000 residential homes, using both City and private hauler drivers. 28 routes are completed daily using 41 CNG refuse trucks in a 4-day / 10-hour work week. Additional collection events are held throughout the year including three citywide CURE Events and one Bulky Event. Street Sweeping is conducted twice a month along 60 routes. Street Sweepers collect debris along the gutters covering approximately 600 miles twice each month. Urban / Forestry Landscape oversees approximately 167,000 trees and manages over 450 acres of landscaping throughout the 81 square miles of the City of Riverside.

The ideal candidate for the Solid Waste Operator position will be highly dependable, able to work a 5 / 40 or 4 / 10 schedule with some mandatory overtime, and will have experience with route-based operations. The selected individual will have experience and the ability to perform physical manual labor, and should have experience performing pre and post trip inspections of solid waste equipment. Successful candidates will also have excellent customer service abilities when dealing with the public, co-workers, and other internal staff.

The Solid Waste Operator drives and operates equipment and performs manual labor in the daily collection of trash and recyclable and green waste materials for the City. Provides customer services requests and identifies and reports damaged containers.

Please note : A physical agility test may be incorporated into the selection process in order to determine ability to lift 55 pounds, perform on manual routes, and perform various other heavy manual work.

Work Performed

Typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Drive and operate various trucks and equipment to pick up and empty trash and recyclable and green waste materials into large collection containers; empty containers into refuse truck; gather other debris and operate mechanism for loading, compressing, and dumping trash and recyclable and green waste materials.
• Direct driver in some movement of refuse truck in alleys, driveways and other locations; provide navigation and direction for efficient and effective work-flow.
• Complete pre-trip and post trip Daily Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR); identify and report mechanical or other problems to the Fleet Department and Solid Waste Supervisor.
• Operate, use, and apply scooter and rear loader truck for daily refuse collection activities.
• Tag trash and recycling when necessary to inform customers of proper collection procedures; engage courteously with customers and general public.
• Respond to hazmat clean up and fluid spills; adhere and apply safety standards.
• Clean, monitor, and provide general maintenance for assigned vehicle daily.
• Prepare simple reports and documents
• Operate automated refuse trucks intermittently to pick up misses or during scheduled and unscheduled absences of other Operators; assists in the mitigation of trash from homeless camps and the disposal of large or bulk items.
• May fulfill service orders for can repairs and replacements; perform stenciling and other work in the care and servicing of cans.
• Participate in special City events as required.
• Train entry level or less experienced employees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Recruitment Guidelines :

Education : High school graduation or satisfactory equivalent (GED).

Experience : Six months experience in heavy manual work.

Necessary Special Requirement :

Licenses and Certifications : Possession of an appropriate valid California Class "B" Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

Highly Desirable Requirements :

Physical Demands and Working Conditions : Work is done outside in the field with exposure to inclement weather, hazards, chemicals, equipment, construction materials, solid waste, traffic, and fumes. Employees may interact with staff and / or public and private representatives and will provide professional customer service

Selection Process

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION :

1) Completed Employment Application

2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire

PLEASE NOTE : FOR DIRECTIONS ON ATTACHING A DOCUMENT TO AN ON-LINE APPLICATION, OR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE :

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS :

If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.

The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.

Positions that require, or may require, a California Commercial Driver's License are considered Safety Sensitive and are monitored by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Any candidate being considered for a Safety Sensitive position must submit authorization forms to the City immediately upon request to begin the pre-employment process.

It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.

Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and / or medical / physical examination.

NOTE : The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS : Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.

Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options :

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates / times / locations after the closing date of this announcement.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.

Service Employees International Unit (SEIU) - Refuse Unit

The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows :

For additional benefits information, please visit the following website :

For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.4

Instructions : The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and / or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.

Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

Please indicate the highest level of education that you have completed.

Do you possess a minimum of six (6) months experience in heavy manual work?

Please indicate the following regarding your experience listed above, or relevant work experience :

Employer :

Job Title :

Years of Experience :

Examples of Duties :

If you answered "None", please list "N / A"

Please indicate the type of valid driver's license you currently possess.

Do you possess an appropriate, valid Class "A" or "B" California Motor Vehicle Operator's License with Air Brake Endorsement and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)?

Do you possess at least one (1) year of full-time route-based driving experience?

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please indicate the following regarding your experience :

Employer :

Job Title :

Years of Experience :

Examples of Duties :

If you answered "No", please list "N / A".

I understand a physical agility test may be incorporated into the selection process in order to determine ability to lift 55 pounds, perform on manual routes, and perform various other heavy manual work.

Do you have the ability to work outdoors in varying types of weather?

I understand that work is done outside in the field with exposure to inclement weather, hazards, chemicals, equipment, construction materials, solid waste, traffic, and fumes. Employees may interact with staff and / or public and private representatives and will provide professional customer service.

Certification : I understand that I cannot update my application once it has been submitted. Therefore, I have fully completed ALL sections, provided full descriptions of my duties and responsibilities for each employer, and have fully answered ALL questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. Do not refer to a resume or other documentation, as it will not be reviewed in lieu of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire. Note : Employers and / or experience noted on the Supplemental Questionnaire must also be included and fully detailed on the Application.

Required Question

Salary : $44,424 - $62,520