Technician I - Sanitation

Are you seeking a meaningful career that allows you to utilize your skills to provide efficient City services while working to enhance the quality of life for the local community? If so, the Public Works Department's Technician I position in the Sanitation Division may be the right career for you!

The Technician I - Sanitation role is a full-time position with benefits and a Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm work schedule. Applicants may be considered for levels within the department at an annual rate commensurate with applicant qualifications.

Preferred Hiring Ranges*:

• Journeyman: $19.54 - $21.00 per hour (equivalent to $40,643 - $43,680 annually)
• Technician I: $20.45 - $22.50 per hour (equivalent to $42,536 - $46,800 annually)

*An exact salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications/experience in compliance with City policy.

As a Technician I in Sanitation, you'll:

• Collect municipal solid waste, bulk/yard debris material, and other trash by moving cans and containers placed for collection and dumping into trucks, operating hydraulic mechanisms for compressing and dumping refuse, and riding on rear/side step of a moving refuse truck;
• Tag refuse for noncompliance;
• Operate specialized equipment independently in connection with the position;
• Perform proper handling, spill prevention/response, and cleanup procedures for fuels and other pollutants to minimize entry into stormwater system;
• Perform snow and ice removal by operating a refuse truck with a snow plow attachment and other equipment;
• Participate in rotational standby program;
• Operate a City vehicle in the performance of job duties;
• Perform other related duties as needed.

A detailed list of the ideal candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is available in the Technician I class specification.

Minimum Requirements for the Technician I Level:

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to:
  • High school diploma or GED; and
  • Moderate (1-3 years) experience in refuse collection and grounds maintenance, including the operation of motorized equipment, or comparable experience.
• 18 years of age or older by hire date.
• Availability to work Mondays through Fridays from 7:00am - 3:30pm.
• Valid commercial driver's license (CDL) Class B with air brakes. (Applicants without a CDL will be considered for the Journeyman level within the department; however, to progress to the Technician I level, a CDL is required. The department provides paid, on-the-job-training.)
• Participation in a rotating, stand-by work program for off-hours emergency response.
• Possession of forklift certification preferred but not required.
• Click here to view the physical requirements of this position.

Interested in a career within the Sanitation Division but don't meet the minimum requirements above for a Technician I? All applicants will be considered, for the level at which they qualify, at a rate commensurate with qualifications.

The selected candidate for this position will be subject to the following screenings and must receive satisfactory results:

• Alcohol and drug testing as required by the Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA); 
• FMCSA Clearinghouse Query; 
• DMV record review; 
• Job-specific physical; and 
• Criminal background check.

To Apply: In order to be considered, all candidates must submit a complete City of Harrisonburg online employment application, including previous work experience and education history. This position may close at any time after 10 calendar days. (posted 08/27/2026)