Solid Waste Operator

Salary : $54,196.44 - $65,876.52 Annually
Location : Public Works Department - 3981 South 'K' Street, Tulare, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-40
Department: Public Works
Division: Solid Waste
Opening Date: 11/03/2026
Closing Date: 11/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Position Description
Ready to jumpstart your career with a stable, community-focused job that offers a clear path for growth? We are looking for a motivated Solid Waste Operator to join our team and help keep our city clean, safe, and beautiful.

This is an entry-level position designed for individuals with a Class B (or A) Commercial Driver's License who want to build a long-term career.


Why Apply?

• Paid, On-the-Job Training: Learn residential routes, master advanced sanitation vehicles, and develop specialized equipment skills under close guidance.
• Career Growth: This position is a gateway. As you gain experience and independence, you will have the opportunity to advance to senior-level commercial operator roles.
• Stability & Purpose: Enjoy consistent hours, reliable public sector stability, and the pride of doing essential work that directly impacts your local community.

What You'll Do

As a Solid Waste Operator, you will be the face of our neighborhood sanitation services. Your daily routine will include:

• Driving & Operating: Safely navigate commercial sanitation vehicles (including side loaders, clam shells, forklifts, and dump trucks) on assigned residential routes.
• Equipment Care: Perform pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections, track oil and fluid levels, change tires, and ensure your truck is always road-ready.
• Community Interaction: Serve as a helpful resource for residents, answering basic questions and ensuring neighborhoods are left clean and clear of illegal dumping.
• Safety First: Maintain accurate daily logs and follow strict safety protocols to protect yourself, your team, and the public.

Take the Next Step in Your Career!

If you have a strong work ethic, a Class A or B license, and a desire to build a stable career with the City, we invite you to apply.

Apply Today!

Tulare is a full-service Charter City with approximately 400 full-time employees. The City of Tulare is a supportive organization where people take pride in their work and in the community they serve. Tulare is a place where people can grow professionally, a place that values innovation and a place where people can make a positive and lasting change in the community.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To be considered for this position qualified applicants must submit an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work History, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills.

In addition to submitting a detailed application, applicants are required to respond to the supplemental questions associated with the application. Responses to the supplemental questions will be used to evaluate applicants' qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities. Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application.

PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT

If you meet the minimum qualifications for the position, you will be invited to take a PRE-TRIP & DRIVING ASSESSMENT on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd.

For planning purposes, we are including reference to the testing element which will include a Pre-Trip Inspection and Driving Assessment. Additional details regarding the testing element will be sent via email, to qualified applicants once our screening process is complete on or before the close of business on Tuesday, November 24th.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under general supervision, performs routine solid waste collection and disposal work of residential routes; maintains and repairs sanitation vehicles and equipment; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives technical and functional direction and training from the Solid Waste Crew Leader and general supervision from the Solid Waste Supervisor. No supervision of staff is exercised.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry-level class in the solid waste operator series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic solid waste collection and disposal experience learn residential routes, use of vehicles, tools, and equipment, and a variety of practices and procedures. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. This class is distinguished from the Senior Solid Waste Operator in that the latter performs the more complex solid waste collection and disposal work of commercial routes that requires additional knowledge, skills, and experience.

Examples of Essential Functions
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only) Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs routine solid waste collection and disposal of prescribed residential routes, including cleaning waste around bins and truck, running compactor to pack loads to appropriate weight, and retrieving containers from hopper and replacing in assigned area.
• Drives commercial sanitation vehicles on assigned routes and to points, scales, and transfer sites.
• Operates a variety of solid waste vehicles, tools, and equipment, including side and clam shell loaders, skiploaders, forklifts, and dump trucks in a safe and accurate manner.
• Inspects and reviews condition of sanitation vehicles and equipment before and after routes; performs preventative maintenance of vehicles and equipment, including checking oil and water levels, brakes, and lights, changing tires, and draining air tanks; washes and cleans vehicles; fills and greases vehicles.
• Observes and reports overweight, unsafe, or broken dumpsters to crew leader or supervisor, maintains bins on route; greases and tightens bolts as necessary.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Operates a variety of tools and equipment related to work assignment as instructed.
• Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including cleaning alleys of illegal dumping, trimming trees to ensure safe passage of vehicles, and securing vehicles and equipment at the close of the workday.
• Delivers and picks up containers for non-payment or new constructions; exchanges damaged containers.
• Issues notice to customers regarding sanitation violations; responds to complaints and answers questions from public or escalates to crew leader or supervisor, as necessary.
• Responds to operations, maintenance, and repair emergency situations as required.
• Maintains records and logs of daily activities; prepares reports as necessary.
• May be assigned to fill-in on commercial routes as necessary.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS


Knowledge of:

• Basic solid waste collection and disposal principles, practices, vehicles, tools, and equipment for maintaining sanitation and cleanliness of a City, including residential solid waste collection.
• The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of tools, vehicles, and equipment.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Safety equipment and practices related to the work, including the handling of hazardous solid waste.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Learn to participate in solid waste collection and disposal operations and related projects.
• Learn to use safely and effectively use, operate, and maintain the full range of equipment and tools required for the work.
• Learn to perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Learn to work with heavy automotive equipment requiring good motor coordination and physical strength.
• Learn to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods of time in all types of weather.
• Learn to troubleshoot maintenance problems.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic reports of work performed.
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Communicate effectively in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and some experience in heavy equipment driving.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a Class B California Driver's License with Air Brake Endorsement.

Additional Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confining spaces, around machines and to climb and descend vehicles, and to operate varied vehicles, tools, and equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 75 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

• Members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). In accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the City of Tulare will offer the following retirement benefit (2.0% at 62) to new PERS members beginning January 1, 2013 with three (3) years final compensation. Existing PERS members with no break in service will receive the 2.5% at 55 formula with single highest year.
• City pays a portion of the employee and dependent coverage costs of group medical, dental and vision insurance. An opt-out plan is also available.
• Life insurance - $20,000 coverage.
• 10 working days vacation per year. Additional days based on years of service.
• 12 days sick leave per year.
• 15 holidays annually: 12 city observed holidays, plus birthday credit and 2 in-lieu holidays.
• Flexible benefit program - IRS Section 125 Plan.
• Deferred compensation plan - 457 Plans available.
• City sponsored employee health care clinic - Services include: general medical care and health and wellness coaching. No deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket expenses.

01


Do you possess a Class B (or Class A) California driver's license with Air Brake Endorsement? Attach a copy of your driver's license to your application. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified.

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have some experience driving heavy equipment? Please be sure to list detailed examples of your work experience in the "job duties" section(s) of your application.

• Yes
• No

03


Please describe your experience driving heavy equipment. Include in your response, the types of equipment you have operated and for how long.
Required Question