Solid Waste Collection Driver I

This is a skilled driving position that involves collecting solid waste, trash, brush, large bulk items, or recycled materials and operating solid waste collection vehicles in tight, confined locations and in the presence of other vehicles and pedestrians. If assigned as needed, the employee provides direction to Solid Waste Collectors and performs related manual tasks. Work is performed under the direction of a Supervisor and reviewed through observations and obtained results.

• Operates a claw truck or manual rear-loader as a primary vehicle and one of the following secondary vehicles: front-loader, automated side-loader, and/or roll-off truck used in the collection and transportation of solid waste, trash, brush, or recycled materials to be determined by the Program Supervisor or the Solid Waste Manager.
• Operates other solid waste collection equipment on a temporary, trainee, or emergency basis.
• Ensures the truck is operational; fuels the truck; washes and greases the truck; conducts pre-trip and post-trip inspections; and reports the need for maintenance or repair of equipment to the Supervisor.
• Follows standard safety precautions when operating the equipment.
• Performs daily routine housekeeping on the assigned piece of equipment.
• Notifies supervisor of issues or concerns requiring attention.
• Teaches trainee drivers the proper operation of solid waste vehicles.
• Operates and/or trains in secondary truck operation a minimum of 40 hours each subsequent year to maintain classification.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements. 
• May be required to work overtime, or alternate hours, or any assigned route as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

PRIMARY TRUCKS

• Claw Truck: 46 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the truck numerous times daily from the cab to the platform behind the cab to run the crane. Climb up and down from the cab to the ground to rake up debris. Open and close the back doors of the truck six to eight times a day to empty the truck. Climbing, driving, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing, picking up trash and yard waste items. Must wash the truck daily with a scrub brush and pressure washer, and climb stairs to wash the top.
• Manual Rear-loader/ Alley Rear-loader: 19 inches from ground to floor of cab with no steps. Climbing in and out of the cab numerous times a day, driving, sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, lifting, and carrying items up to 50 lbs., and occasionally (either independently or with a teammate) lifting and carrying objects over 50 lbs. Must wash the truck at the end of the day with a scrub brush and pressure washer.

SECONDARY TRUCKS

• Automated side-loader: 43 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the cab numerous times a day. Driving, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing, servicing automated containers of 35, 65, or 95 gallons, walking up to customers and picking up trash that falls out of the container. Retrieving containers that fall into the hopper area. Must wash the truck daily with a scrub brush and pressure washer and climb a set of stairs to wash the top of the truck.
• Front-loader: 40 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the truck numerous times a day, driving, sitting, stooping, walking, lifting, pulling, pushing, servicing dumpsters 2 cubic yards, 4 cubic yards, 6 cubic yards, and 8 cubic yards. Opening and closing gates, pushing and pulling roll-out containers on wheels, and climbing a ladder to clean the top of the truck with a scrub brush and pressure washer.
• Roll-off: 53 inches from ground to floor of cab with two steps. Climbing in and out of the cab numerous times a day (56 inches from ground to floor of cab). Driving, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing, servicing open-top and compactor roll-off containers. Ability to work in confined spaces when connecting and disconnecting the hoist lift cable, hoses, and electrical cables. Heavy pushing and pulling to open and close container doors for servicing. Must wash the truck at the end of the day with a scrub brush and pressure washer.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• May be assigned to remove and dispose of deceased animals.
• Required to physically load refuse.

• Completion of eight school grades from an accredited school.
• One year of experience in the operation of commercial vehicles requiring a Florida Class "B" CDL or internal training completion and operation of City refuse collection equipment as temporary staffing.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida Class "B" CDL with appropriate endorsements as are required by the employing department and city policy.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Completion of the Solid Waste Safety Training Manual within 90 days from the date of hire.

KNOWLEDGE

• Traffic rules and regulations.
• Operating commercial vehicles requiring a Florida Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class B.
• Hazards of operation and appropriate safety rules and regulations.

ABILITIES

• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions, and work independently to perform regular duties.
• Use City radio, routing maps, shovels, rakes, and brooms.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Medium to heavy physical work, including frequent driving, sitting, standing, and walking, for eight to 10 hours daily. 
• Frequent bending/stooping, climbing, crawling, fine manipulations, grasping, kneeling, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasional lifting/carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds.
• Risks routine and frequent exposure to significant environmental hazards and is 95% outside, including driving, bright/dim light, dust and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife, vibration, traffic, and moving machinery, heights, and fumes and/or noxious odors, possible exposure to significant environmental hazards; including disease/pathogens and toxic/caustic chemicals. The job is 5% inside a climate-controlled building.
• Ability to work in confined spaces when connecting and disconnecting the hoist lift cable, hoses, and electrical cables. 
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination).  Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone.  Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders.  Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.