Solid Waste Equipment Operator I/II

The Utilities Department is responsible for providing water, sewer, refuse collection, and disposal services to Santa Maria. The Mission Statement of the Utilities Department is to provide efficient utility services using progressive innovation, excellent customer service, and the wise use of public resources for the long-term benefit of the community. 

This recruitment is for a position in the Solid Waste Division of the Utilities Department. The Solid Waste Division manages the collection of refuse, including solid waste, recycling, green waste, and organics, and operates the Santa Maria Regional Landfill, including the Household Hazardous Waste Facility and Recycling Park.

THE POSITION

 Under general direction of an assigned supervisor, the Solid Waste Equipment Operator I/II performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled refuse and recycling collection duties utilizing primarily standard automated side-loading refuse, green waste, and recycling collection vehicles. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of this classification but may act as lead worker for temporarily assigned employees or special projects. 

The Solid Waste Equipment Operator I/II position is an Individual Contributor role that provides refuse collection with a high level of safety, efficiency, and customer service. Their role enables the city to provide the community’s most essential and basic refuse service in the most efficient, cost-effective, and courteous manner possible.

• As listed in the below Conditions of Employment, possession of a Class "B" Driver's License is required.
• This position is subject to the Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Program, which will require a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and submission to random drug and/or alcohol testing throughout employment with the City.

The ideal candidate is an experienced waste collection driver with a Class B driver's license and a safe driving record. They will be reliable, customer-oriented, work well independently and with team members, have excellent communication skills, and take pride in their work. They will also demonstrate the Individual Contributor Competencies as listed below.

1. Online application
2. A cover letter introducing yourself and explaining your interest in the position (A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for this)

• Solid Waste Equipment Operator I (Residential Side Loader) -  $58,347.12 - $70,921.50
• Solid Waste Equipment Operator II (Commercial Front Loader) - $59,514.00 - $72,339.54

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization.  This position:

• Delivers and unloads collected refuse and recyclables primarily from commercial sites, and occasionally from residential sites and roadways, to designated disposal, composting, and/or material recovery facilities.
• Primarily drives and operates a commercial front-loader; occasionally drives and operates an automated side-loader; manipulates hydraulic controls, manually opens and closes dumpster enclosures and gates.

• Tags containers in violation of applicable ordinances and codes and communicates with the dispatch center.
• Maintains regular vehicle maintenance and keeps vehicles professional in appearance; performs daily and weekly maintenance on assigned equipment.
• Performs pre-trip vehicle inspections in compliance with governing procedures; reports and completes mechanical defect tickets on equipment in need of servicing.
• Prepares route mileage forms and other reports related to solid waste.
• Performs miscellaneous trash collection duties, including lifting and transporting large or bulky items.
• Repairs, paints, rinses, cleans, refurbishes and delivers containers and/or dumpsters and completes yard duties as assigned.
• May provide lead supervision on work activities of crew members as assigned, including equipment operations.
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director. 
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTOR CORE COMPETENCIES

Incumbents should have a solid foundation of the following core competencies identified by the organization to be essential and listed in order of importance (click the hyper link to see the full definition Individual Contributor Competencies):

• Team Player - Effective performers are team oriented, share resources, respond to requests, and support a spirit of cooperative effort.
• Customer Orientation - Effective performers are in touch with community needs and review the organization through the eyes of Santa Maria residents. They go out of their way to anticipate needs. 
• Integrity - Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly, take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded.
• Communicativeness - Effective performers recognize the essential value of continuous information exchange and the competitive advantage it brings. They actively seek information from a variety of sources and disseminate it in a variety of ways.  They use modern technologies to access and circulate information, even across great distances. They take responsibility for ensuring that their people have the current and accurate information needed for success.
• Initiative - Effective performers are proactive and take action without being prompted. They do not wait to be told what to do or when to do it. They see a need, take responsibility, and act on it. They make things happen. 
• Composure - Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances, and demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation.
• Functional/Technical Expertise - Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty (e.g., finance, public works, planning, information technology, human resources, etc.), and remain current in their area of expertise.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making - Effective performers identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgment.
• Learning Agility - Effective performers continuously seek new knowledge, are curious, learn quickly, and use new information effectively.
• Drive/Energy - Effective performers have a high level of energy and are ambitious and passionate about their role. They have stamina and endurance to maintain a fast pace.

• Ideally, two years of experience comparable to driving and operating a front-loader, side-loader, or comparable sized vehicle; and 
• Graduation from high school; and/or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:
  • Applicable codes and ordinances which relate to refuse, green waste, recycling collection and transportation.
  • Operations of refuse  collection vehicles, including side-loaders and front loaders.
  • Policies, safety rules, and regulations pertaining to refuse, green waste, recycling collection.
  • Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent). 
  • Use computer and other office equipment effectively. 
• The ability to work in various conditions such as hot or cold weather, rain, fog, nighttime darkness, and more.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Required licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment:
  • Valid Class “B” Driver’s License. Must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record and meet City liability requirements to drive for City business. 
• Under the Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Program, successfully complete a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and submit to random drug and/or alcohol testing throughout employment with the City. Requires completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.
• The incumbent must meet the physical requirements of the job class and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed. 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• May require completion of a pre-employment physical to the satisfaction of the City.
• Reasonable accommodation(s) for an individual with a qualified disability will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Salary : $4,960 - $6,028