Sanitation Driver I

Salary: $22.80 Hourly
Location : Asheville, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-01881
Department: Public Works
Division: Sanitation
Opening Date: 07/14/2026
Closing Date: 7/28/2026 5:00 PM Eastern


Summary

About our opportunity:
The City of Asheville has immediate needs for a Sanitation Driver I within the Public Works Department, Sanitation Division. If you have a motivated attitude, inclusive team spirit, and are interested in a fulfilling career in public service, we invite you to apply. The purpose of this position is to provide essential City services to the residents of Asheville and to operate heavy motorized equipment and perform manual labor in the collection of solid waste. CDL permit required, with the ability to obtain full CDL B licensure within 90 days of hire.

Work Schedule: Work schedule dependent on assignment (40 hours). This opening is for a Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. schedule. Alternate Driver 1 schedule is Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This position may also work Fridays, weekends, holidays, Alternate Driver 1 schedules, or during weather events, emergency situations, or special events as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Drives rear-loading sanitation trucks to collect solid waste along an assigned route: positions the vehicle to allow for the most efficient and effective loading or dumping of materials; monitors and adjusts the pace of the vehicle, and collection activities to ensure timely completion of the route; operates mechanisms on the truck to secure and collect waste; ensures that the load is properly balanced, covered, and contained; and monitors the activities of workers on the back of the truck for safety.

Drives assigned vehicles over public roads: maneuvers in and around traffic, parked cars, and other obstacles; obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines, and monitors the immediate environment and work area to ensure the safety of the operator, other workers, the equipment, and the public.

Collects refuse along the assigned sanitation route, as part of a sanitation crew, including downtown trash receptacles, brush and bulky trash items; customers: rides on the back of the rear-loading sanitation truck; retrieves trash carts, containers, bags, brush, limbs, bulky items, and other debris from along the route; verifies items meet City guidelines for disposal; tags carts with unauthorized items; transfers trash into trucks; operates the container arm, lift, and compactor mechanisms as needed; returns carts and receptacles to their proper place; replaces liners in receptacles; and reports broken carts and receptacles for service.

Follows established safety procedures: utilizes safety equipment and wears protective gear; monitors work environment to ensure the safety of employees and other individuals; monitors traffic conditions to identify obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic conditions; may direct traffic to ensure the safety of the crew and the traveling public; and reports any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.

Operates a variety of machinery, equipment, and tools associated with department projects, which may include a pick-up truck, knuckle boom truck, forklift, rakes, pitch forks, shovels, and other hand tools.

Performs general cleaning and maintenance tasks necessary to keep equipment and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, checking/replacing fluids, refueling vehicles, and greasing equipment, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning shop or work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety, and reports faulty equipment to the supervisor.

Communicates with supervisor, subordinates, other City employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review the status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within the designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives, reviews, prepares, completes, processes, forwards, or retains as appropriate, various forms, reports, correspondence, brush lists, route sheets, tonnage reports, vehicle maintenance logs, boom lists, and other documentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, utilizing a database, the Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Additional Functions:
Performs other tasks as assigned and/or as needed for the Public Works Department.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma or GED required, with vocational or technical training in equipment operation or a related field; supplemented by one year of experience in sanitation collections, equipment operation, or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess a North Carolina Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL); or a CDL permit, with the ability to obtain and maintain a valid North Carolina Class B CDL within 90 days of hire.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to compile, assemble, copy, record, and/or transcribe data according to a prescribed schema or plan. Includes judging whether readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics are similar to or divergent from prescribed standards, procedures, or routines.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials requiring complex and/or rapid adjustments.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. May include counting, recording of counts, and basic measuring.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work, with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing, but typically also involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 100 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature, and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, animal/wildlife attacks, or rude/irate customers.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.


Some positions may require a fingerprint-based SBI background check after a conditional offer and before your start date; HR will provide instructions if applicable.

For benefits-eligible positions, explore our full benefits at AshevilleBenefits.com .
About us:

The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched by its diversity.

The City's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants will be assured of fair treatment in all aspects of recruitment and selection without regard to a person's age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, genetic information,or disability, except where certain physical and mental requirements are Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQ). The City of Asheville is proud to be a second chance employer.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
To view our comprehensive benefits package, click
01


Select your highest level of education in (Specific Field):

• I do not possess a High School Diploma/GED.
• High School/GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate

02


Do you have a full, valid Class B or Class A Commercial Driver's License?

• I do possess a current, valid Class B or Class A Commercial driver's license.
• I do NOT possess a current, valid Class B or Class A Commercial driver's license.

03


How many years of relevant experience do you have in heavy equipment operation or sanitation services?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 3 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 6 - 10 years
• 10 or more years

04


Please describe any experience with heavy equipment/vehicle operation or solid waste collection experience.
05


Do you have a Commercial Driver's Licence permit, with the ability to obtain a full license within 90 days of hire?

• I do possess a current Commercial Driver's Licence permit and can obtain a full license within 90 days of hire.
• I do not possess a current Commercial Driver's Licence permit.

Required Question