Solid Waste Equipment Operator - Tucson Arizona

Thomas O Price Service Center

Position Specific Summary

The Solid Waste Equipment Operator (SWEO) position in the City of Tucson’s Environmental & General Services Department operates refuse collection vehicles and various equipment for the safe, efficient, and responsible collection, transportation, and disposal of refuse, trash, debris, and recyclables. 

Work is performed under the supervision of the Environmental Services Supervisor.  This position does not supervise. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Operates refuse collections vehicles and various equipment within the commercial, residential, brush and bulky, and container maintenance units by following safe driving practices. Collects refuse, recyclables, brush and bulky items, and services all containers on assigned routes. Uses electronic software system to view assigned routes as well as special instructions and updates. Sets and positions containers in an upright manner, ensuring lids are properly closed, and do not block driveways, entrances, or traffic. Reports accidental spills and overflow of containers to supervisor and tags containers to ensure surrounding collection site is free of debris for future servicing.   

• Transports and disposes of collected waste at designated waste collection sites in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. Tags containers holding unacceptable waste including but not limited to paint, electronics, large appliances, and household hazardous waste. Transports and drops off recyclables to designated recycle centers. 

• Provides excellent customer service by maintaining a courteous and professional demeanor during customer interactions. Provides resources and information to customers related to refuse collections or other services. Notifies supervision or Control for Refuse (Control R) dispatch of customer requests. Adheres to required productivity standards, ensuring all customers are serviced in a timely and efficient manner. Executes and follows City policies and departmental operational procedures as pertaining to customer service. 

• Communicates with supervisors through two-way radio and utilizes routing software system to communicate location of tagged containers and reason of tagged containers. Immediately notifies supervision and Control R dispatch of incidents, accidents, injuries, property damage, missed containers, or other issues that arise during completion of assigned route. Reports unsafe conditions, and situations such as hard to reach containers, tight alley ways and other issues that may arise to supervision and Control R prior to attempting service at route locations to avoid property and personal damage. Tags containers that are blocked, preventing service, overloaded, or to close to fixed objects and containers with other issues as service reminders for customers. 

• Actively participates and cooperates in all scheduled trainings, briefings, and meetings. Operates vehicles in accordance with all federal, state, local and City of Tucson requirements. Promotes the City of Tucson’s safety standards by not taking inappropriate risks while driving and while servicing containers or brush and bulky items. Performs daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections of assigned vehicle. Monitors tire pressure, fluid levels, safety equipment, gauges, and controls continuously to ensure vehicle maintains operational readiness, minimize mechanical downtime and operational cost. Identifies and reports vehicle improper performance, issues, and malfunctions, and completes vehicle discrepancy reports for repairs by fleet services staff. Reports hydraulic spills to supervisor and Control R dispatch unit to notify Tucson Fire Department when large spills occur. Maintains cleanliness of interior and exterior of assigned vehicles.

• Performs all other duties and tasks as assigned. Cleans motor pool area, uses various hand tools, performs occasional office duties, and site check inspections. 

Working conditions: 

Work schedule may include early morning, late evening, weekends, and Holidays. 

Often works under the following conditions: exposure to extreme physical, ergonomic, or hazardous environment, which includes but not limited to dirt, grime, chemical, loud noise, and unfavorable odors.

**In accordance with pay transparency, the salary reflected in this posting is the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Salary placement is typically between the minimum and mid-point of the salary range.

The City of Tucson offers a generous benefits package for benefit-eligible positions. The comprehensive, flexible, and affordable coverage is designed to optimize health and well-being, security and future, and peace of mind. Benefits begin with medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage, surpassing your standard 401(k) program by offering a rich pension plan plus optional Roth and pretax deferred compensation savings.

With your well-being in mind, our paid time off program provides new hires with 38 paid days off in the first year of employment, with time off increasing steadily in subsequent years. We offer twelve weeks of paid parental leave, paid tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, off- and on-the-job training, and opportunities to forge connections with peers and the community through employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours.

You can learn more about our benefits at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefit-Snapshot.

Background Check:  This position has been designated to require a criminal background check. 

CITY OF TUCSON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), national origin, veteran status, age, disability, genetic testing, or any other protected status.  If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, you may file a complaint with the City of Tucson's Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Arizona Attorney General's Office of the Civil Rights Division (ACRD).  Click for more information from ACRD about employment discrimination and how to file a complaint with ACRD 

The City of Tucson employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

The City of Tucson is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities or who require religious accommodation; please contact Human Resources at EmployeeLeaves@tucsonaz.gov or 520-791-2619.   

City of Tucson is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.