Solid Waste Laborer

Nature of Work

This is manual solid waste and sanitation work assisting with the maintenance and operation of the county owned solid waste transfer station and baler plant processing facility. Activities associated with the job include ensuring that all trailers are properly covered prior to transport, assisting with the collection of recycled items, and operating tow motors and bobcats to move bales of plastic and other recycled materials when necessary. Incumbents are also responsible for performing light maintenance duties and mowing. Some activities require heavy manual labor depending upon workload demands. Job duties require experience operating equipment, some knowledge of solid waste and recycling operations, sufficient strength and agility to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in a variety of weather conditions and the ability to consistently follow departmental rules and regulations. Job performance is evaluated daily by the Solid Waste Director through direct observation of the activities performed on the job, ability to operate solid waste equipment and machinery utilized at the recycling center and transfer station, safety of daily work activities and ability to interact effectively with co-workers and the public.

Illustrative Examples of Work

-Completes a safety inspection of assigned trucks, machinery and equipment prior to operation.
-Ensures that trailers are properly covered and secured prior to transport.
-Operates light equipment for processing of items for recycling.
-Performs various duties including spreading gravel, assisting with the loading and baling of recyclable items for transport, etc.
-Performs minor preventive maintenance activities on solid waste machinery and equipment and notifies the Solid Waste Director of equipment malfunctions.
-Mows sections of the solid waste property.
-Cleans equipment and machinery with pressure washers when required.
-Performs related duties as required.

Necessary Requirements of Work

Graduation from an accredited high school; some experience working in solid waste and/or recycling operations and operating trucks and other equipment; ability to interact tactfully with the public; ability to make decisions within established operating procedures; sufficient strength to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in a variety of weather conditions; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience to perform the following critical knowledge, abilities and skills:

-Knowledge of the proper operation of equipment and machinery utilized in solid waste operations including front end loaders and bobcats.
-Knowledge of solid waste operations and maintenance activities including the use and proper operation of equipment and machinery.
-Knowledge of preventive maintenance procedures and minor repair of equipment utilized for solid waste and recycling operations.
-Knowledge of the proper handling and disposal of recyclable materials.
-Knowledge of the precautions necessary to work safely around heavy equipment utilized in solid waste operations.
-Ability to operate specialized solid waste equipment and machinery in a safe manner.
-Ability to use power tools and hand tools in a proper and safe manner.
-Ability to make proper job related decisions after receiving daily assignments.
-Ability to communicate and interact with the public in a polite and tactful manner.
-Ability to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in all types of weather conditions.

Necessary Special Requirements

-Possession of a valid Tennessee Driver’s License and the ability to be insured at standard vehicle liability rates.

Physical Requirements

-This is heavy work requiring considerable static, explosive, dynamic and trunk strength and requiring the exertion of up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects
-Work requires considerable flexibility, mobility and speed of limb movement
-Work requires considerable effort and stamina
-Work requires both gross body equilibrium and coordination for balancing, bending, stooping, kneeling and walking
-Work requires arm/ hand steadiness and manual and finger dexterity
-Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
-Hearing is required to perceive information in both quiet and noisy environments and determine the direction of sounds
-Visual acuity is required for the inspection of small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of office equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, color differentiation, and observing general surroundings and activities
-The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, temperature extremes, bodily fluids, oils and lubricants, noise and slippery surfaces

Maury County Government
FLSA – Non-Exempt
05/26/2019; 02/2024