Refuse Collector

Refuse Collector Position

Welcome, 'ist das Leben schn!' (Life is good!) At the City of New Braunfels, we seek out people ready to serve the community, plan for the future, and preserve our well-renowned natural beauty. Our five Core Values serve as a cornerstone of our work: Integrity, Service, Visionary Leadership, Stewardship of Resources, and Cultural Heritage. Do our values speak to you?

What we're looking for: A motivated and collaborative individual to join the Solid Waste division. You will continue to successfully serve the current and future needs of the New Braunfels community. Under general supervision, performs a variety of customer service and manual labor tasks associated with the operation of the City's recycling center drop off facility and assists with maintenance of recycle center vehicles and equipment in accordance with safety regulations and procedures.

The responsibilities you'll be trusted with:

• Assists customers with unloading recyclable materials at assigned City recycling facility.
• Operates a hydraulic unit to compact waste materials and an electric processing machine to densify plastic foam.
• Assists in the manual collection of solid waste, green waste and recyclable materials from residential and commercial sites on established routes; picks up, carries and empties and returns small garbage cans and designated recycling and green waste containers or maneuvers large garbage containers to collection vehicle and back without damage to containers or vehicle; operates mechanism(s) for loading and dumping into collection vehicle; picks up litter and debris caused during collection from roadway and/or right-of-way and deposits in collection vehicle.
• Directs traffic and guides the deposit of waste into proper containers.
• Directs and instructs customers on various division recycling services and policies.
• Monitors and enforces rules and procedures with respect to division requirements for acceptable materials and customer activities at assigned City recycling facility.
• Acts as a City representative and main point of contact for on-site customer needs, concerns and emergencies.
• Assists Solid Waste Coordinator with outreach and education efforts such as tours, demonstrating equipment usage, wearing of recycling mascot uniform, etc.
• Maintains records and logs for recycling facility activity reports.
• Performs routine operator maintenance on assigned stationary and mobile equipment and performs manual labor tasks as assigned.
• Maintains a clean, orderly, organized, and safe public recycling facility.
• Physically loads, unloads, manipulates, and manages a variety of materials.
• Utilizes appropriate safety equipment and procedures.
• Identifies and reports maintenance and safety needs of equipment and facilities.
• Recognizes, avoids, and reports unsafe acts, conditions, accidents and injuries.
• Successfully complete 6-month probation period
• Demonstrate proper use and care of all personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Demonstrates mastery of safe vehicle mounting, riding, dismounting, and guiding techniques for a rear load collection vehicle
• Consistently demonstrates reliability and punctuality and follows through with tasks, completing them in a timely manner.
• Consistently demonstrates the willingness and ability to work as part of a team, supporting colleagues and contributing to group efforts
• Consistently demonstrates the willingness and ability to learn new tasks and master various job requirements while maintaining professionalism and a positive, team-first attitude
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter most for this role:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

High School diploma or GED equivalent, AND a strong background in general labor, with a proven ability to perform physically demanding tasks and work outdoors in various environments.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License.

Required Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of the basic safety procedures for vehicle backing, safe conduct around heavy equipment, safe lifting and pulling techniques, and ensuring personal safety while working in a dynamic, outdoor environment.
• Basic customer service skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team
• City policies and procedures.
• City safety rules and regulations, occupational hazards and safety precautions.

Required Skill in:

• Safety awareness and the ability to follow safety protocols and properly use personal protective equipment
• Effective communication and the ability to work well with team members and supervisors
• Adaptability to learn and master varying job requirements as needed
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with City employees and the public

Your Work Environment:

• Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions frequently while riding on the Collector's step of a collection vehicle, with exposure to hazardous equipment, dust, pollen, damp/wet surfaces and high noise levels, fumes, odors; may work in cramped spaces and conditions with poor lighting and ventilation; susceptible to mechanical hazards associated with equipment and other safety hazards due to working in and around traffic. Performs bending, squatting, kneeling, climbing, twisting, crawling and reaching both to ground level and overhead; may be required to lift and carry up to 100 pounds and/or push and pull up to 150 pounds; use of fine motor skills, must hold and grip objects. Subject to working in awkward positions and periods of prolonged walking, standing or sitting.
• Employee is required to wear PPE such as but not limited to: steel toe boots, hard hat with chin strap, gloves, safety glasses, and high visibility uniforms.
• Employee may be required to work weekends, holidays and other irregularly scheduled times.
• May be required to work immediately before, during or immediately after an emergency or disaster.
• NOTE: This position is designated safety and/or security sensitive.

The City of New Braunfels is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, order of protection status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.