Equipment Operator (Solid Waste) - $1,500 Sign-On Bonus Job at CityofHickory in

Overview

Hickory, North Carolina, is a three-time All-America City on the Catawba River, approximately one hour east of Asheville and one hour north of Charlotte. More than 45,000 residents call Hickory their home, the hub of a 365,000-metropolitan area. Hickory has outstanding school systems, recreation facilities, libraries, golf courses, theaters, art museums, and parks. Beautiful Lake Hickory is over 4,000 acres with many public access areas.

Qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetics, or the presence of a non-job related medical condition or disability. U.S. law requires all applicants to furnish proof of identity and right to work in the U.S.

All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a post-offer functional pre-work screen and a drug screen. This examination process is designed to determine if applicants are able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the job without physical harm to themselves or others. All applicants are subject to a background check.

An employee in this class will serve on multiple vehicles that require a Class B license. Applicants should possess the ability to supervise subordinate personnel and perform minor equipment repairs. They should have a good knowledge of traffic and safety rules; the ability to communicate with oral and written skills and to learn the routing system for garbage pick-up; the ability to drive as well as perform heavy manual labor in a variety of weather conditions. Other duties and equipment may be assigned. Prefer applicants who possess some experience in operating rear-end garbage packer, automated and/or front-end loaders under all types of weather conditions.

Minimum age of 18; Class A or Class B commercial driver's license required and possess a high school diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

• Drives a rear packer or automated truck along a predetermined route to collect solid waste.
• Participates in ongoing training provided by the City of Hickory.
• Transports refuse to Transfer Station or Landfill.
• Operates front loader to empty dumpsters on an assigned route.
• Operates leaf truck, junk truck, boom truck, and box truck as required.
• Performs routine maintenance on equipment (greasing, checking air pressure, oil and other fluids) and informs appropriate personnel of necessary repairs.
• Loads and empties refuse, yard waste, or recyclables into the truck.
• Determines that the truck is properly cleaned, serviced, equipped and in proper operating condition at all times.
• Maintains radio contact with supervisors, other trucks in Solid Waste and dispatcher regarding route changes, work orders, etc.
• Must be able to work on all holidays except Christmas Day, in all weather conditions, and must be able to work overtime when needed.
• Responsible for maintaining a clean interior of all vehicles operated on a regular basis.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• After-hours work is required as necessary during emergencies, inclement weather, and other times as necessary.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Knowledge of the geographic layout of the city.
• Knowledge of residential refuse, yard waste and recycling collection procedures and routes.
• Knowledge of departmental and safety rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of basic preventive maintenance techniques for equipment and vehicles.
• Skill in operating a rear packer, automated truck, and front loading garbage truck.
• Skill in safe and defensive driving techniques.
• Skill in oral communication.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must meet the City criteria for an acceptable driving record.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee in this position to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and exert forces needed to handle various types and sizes of tools, equipment and objects; reach with hands and arms and perform elevated work for periods of time; climb ladders and balance; climb into vehicles and equipment; stoop, kneel, half-kneel, squat, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must frequently lift, push, pull and/or move more than 100 pounds. An employee in this position will have successfully passed a Functional Prework Screen administered by a professional and impartial third party specialist.

SAFETY SENSITIVE: This position has been identified as safety-sensitive. The employee in this position will be part of a random drug testing pool. The methodology for choosing the random test subjects is handled by an outside, impartial, third party vendor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is performed in a truck and outdoors. The work exposes the employee to much noise, dust, dirt, grease, machinery with moving parts, contagious diseases, irritating chemicals, foul odors and inclement weather. The work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, ear protection, safety shoes, or gloves.