Sanitation Driver I, Lead

Salary: $23.59 Hourly
Location : Asheville, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-01844
Department: Public Works
Division: Sanitation
Opening Date: 05/28/2026
Closing Date: 6/11/2026 5:00 PM Eastern


Summary

About Our Opportunity:
The City of Asheville has an immediate need for a Sanitation Driver I Lead within the Sanitation Division of the Public Works Department. If you have a motivated attitude, an 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 lead a crew of 1-3 employees in the operation of heavy motorized equipment and perform manual labor in the collection of solid waste. CDL Class B required.

Hiring Rate:
The starting pay rate for this position is $23.59 per hour. This position is non-exempt and is eligible for overtime in accordance with City Policy.


Work Schedule: Work schedule dependent on assignment (40 hours). This opening is for a Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. schedule. Other Driver 1 Lead schedules may be: Monday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m and 5 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. This position may also work Fridays, weekends, holidays, or during weather events, emergency situations, or special events as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leads a crew of 1-3 employees to collect solid waste using a rear packer collection vehicle: Ensures daily and weekly routes and recordkeeping are complete. Trains new staff in operational processes. Ensures crew follows proper safety practices. Ensures vehicle is maintained properly. Provides customer service along routes. Fills in on other collection operations as needed, including brush, bulky, set outs, receptacle collection, and trash collection.

Performs supervisory duties: With support of Area Supervisor, may review and approve time, train staff, provide feedback and check-ins, recommend hiring actions and disciplinary actions, participate in hiring panels, and attend supervisor training.


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

Collects Solid Waste along assigned sanitation route including trash, brush, and bulky items; rides on the back of rear-loading sanitation truck and manually loads waste; retrieves trash carts, containers, bags, brush, limbs, bulky items, and other debris from along route; verifies items meet City guidelines for disposal; tags carts or piles with unauthorized items; transfers trash into trucks; operates 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; and reports any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.

Operates a variety of machinery, equipment, and tools associated with department projects, which may include but is not limited to: a pick-up truck, knuckle boom truck, rear packer, forklift, rakes, pitch forks, shovels, and other hand tools.

Performs general cleaning and maintenance tasks necessary to keep the vehicle, equipment, and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, checking/replacing fluids, refueling vehicles, 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 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 the 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, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

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

Education and Experience
High school diploma or GED required; any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. At least 2 years of sanitation experience is preferred.

Specific License or Certification

• Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
• Must have a minimum of 12 months of CDL driving experience

Knowledge:

• Advanced knowledge of procedures and practices to analyze and resolve unusual or difficult problems.

• Skills:
  • Ability to read and understand basic workplace data, such as simple forms, tables, graphs, schedules, etc.
  • Ability to conduct research on existing internal policies and procedures
  • Ability to think creatively in all areas for the purpose of increasing efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written form.
  • Ability to analyze situations to pinpoint problems and assist with solving problems or identifying sources of obstacles.
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships as required by work assignments.
  • Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
  • Ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedural guidelines and to apply this understanding to tasks.
  • Ability to bring resources together to resolve a problem or provide a solution.
• 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.

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


Do you have a Class A or Class B CDL? If yes, please describe.
02


Do you have a minimum of 1 year of experience driving a CDL Vehicle?

• Yes
• No

03


Which of the following describes your experience leading or directing the work of others?

• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year
• More than 5 years

04


Do you have Solid Waste or sanitation experience? If yes, please describe.
Required Question