Solid Waste Operator

Position Description

RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW:

Thank you for your interest in our Solid Waste Operator position. If you are you a reliable, hardworking individual with a commercial driver’s license looking for a vital role in keeping our City clean and green, we invite you to join our team as aSolid Waste Operator.

We are currently recruiting to fill one anticipated vacancy, and an eligible list will also be established to fill future vacancies in this classification for a period of up to six months.

This is an essential position where you will perform routine residential solid waste collection, operate specialized sanitation vehicles, and ensure the proper maintenance of equipment. As a Solid Waste Operator, you will be the backbone of our sanitation services, ensuring prescribed residential routes are serviced efficiently and safely.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Perform daily solid waste collection on residential routes.
• Safely drive and operate commercial sanitation vehicles, including side and clam shell loaders, skiploaders, forklifts, and dump trucks.
• Conduct pre-and post-route inspections and perform preventative maintenance (checking fluid levels, brakes, tires, etc.).
• Maintain accurate daily activity logs and prepare necessary reports.
• Work safely and efficiently in all weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor as required.
• Maintain work areas and sanitation vehicles in a clean and orderly condition.

The City of Tulare is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of 70,693 located in the heart of California's Central Valley. The organization, staffed with 411 full-time employees, enjoys a culture of fiscal conservatism, collaboration, teamwork and dedication to public service and our community.

To be considered for this outstanding career opportunity applicants must submit an application with detailed information in each of the following sections of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills.

In addition to submitting a detailed application, you are required to attach a copy of your driver’s license and respond to the supplemental questions associated with the application. Your responses to the supplemental questions will be used to help us evaluate your qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities. Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of detailed responses to the supplemental questions.

PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT

If you meet the minimum qualifications for the position, you will be invited to take a PRE-TRIP & DRIVING ASSESSMENT on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026.

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 Monday, December 29th.

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.

Closing Date/Time: 12/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Tulare

• 559-684-4204

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