Solid Waste Collector/Driver

Job Description:

Solid Waste Collector/Driver

Description

Position Description

The City of Tacoma is seeking highly motivated people devoted to public service to join our team in providing exceptional service to the citizens, and rate payers of Tacoma. Solid Waste Collector/Drivers provide Garbage , Recycling , and Yard/Food Waste services for single-family residential homes, multi-family units, and commercial businesses. The utility also operates a Recovery and Transfer Center , a Household Hazardous Waste Facility , as well as a popular bulk item collection service, Call-2-Haul , and the Tidy Up Tacoma Program . This is a great opportunity to join the City of Tacoma and serve our community in providing an essential service.

Our ideal candidate will be a person who exemplifies the following competencies:

• Being Resilient - Is confident under pressure, handles and manages crisis effectively. Maintains a positive attitude despite adversity and bounces back from setbacks.
• Collaborates - Works cooperatively and partners with others to achieve shared objectives. Represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas.
• Communicates Effectively - Is effective in a variety of communication settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, or among diverse styles and position levels. Attentively listens and encourages open expression of diverse ideas and opinions.
• Customer Focus - Builds and delivers solutions that meet customer expectations. Establishes and maintains effective customer relationships.
• Nimble Learning - Learns quickly when facing new situations. Takes on the challenge of unfamiliar tasks and experiments to find new solutions.
• Optimizes Work Processes - Identifies and creates the processes necessary to get work done. Seeks ways to improve processes, from small tweaks to complete reengineering.
• Self-Development - Shows personal commitment and takes action to continuously improve. Accepts assignments that broaden capabilities.
• Situational Adaptability - Picks up on situational cues and adjusts in the moment. Readily adapts personal, interpersonal, and leadership behavior. Understands that different situations may call for different approaches.
• Values Safety - Promotes a safe work culture and work environment.

The City is establishing a civil service list for Solid Waste Collector/Drivers. This list will be used to fill all Solid Waste Collector/Driver vacancies that occur for a minimum of one year. Solid Waste Collector/Drivers may perform heavy manual labor involving the collection of solid waste, yard waste, and recyclable materials and includes the operation of solid waste collection equipment (approximately 34,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight).

Essential Duties:

• Drive and operate solid waste collection vehicles including automated side-load trucks, front-load trucks, rear-load trucks, roll-off trucks, grapple trucks, and other equipment as assigned. May also require driving semi-tractor, and trailer as assigned (requires a Class A Commercial Driver’s License).
• Efficiently route collection stops and safely navigate congested city streets and tight alley ways. Perform routine driver vehicle inspections and reports. Regularly check safety devices and operating equipment for proper function. Report vehicle deficiencies and/or hazards to a supervisor and maintenance staff.
• Collect solid waste and recycle materials from containers, boxes, bags, and bundled branches into a collection truck; pick-up illegally dumped material, debris and other solid waste and place into collection vehicle or transportable container.
• Operate hydraulic controls to lift, load, compact and offload materials.
• Wash interior and exterior of assigned equipment and fuel solid waste collection vehicle as necessary.
• Maintain strong customer relationships, ensure equitable service delivery for all customers, and report service issues/complaints to assigned supervisor; provide customer education literature and promote diversion and recycling options.
• Report nuisance violations, graffiti, blight, overgrown vegetation, abandoned vehicles, potholes, etc. to assigned supervisor.
• Reduce the effects of vehicle incidents and fluid spills, to address safety, health, and environmental impacts.
• Prepare and maintain basic records and logs related to daily activities such as route books and timecards.
• Follow all policies, procedures, codes, and laws.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Outdoor environment; subject to adverse weather conditions, fumes, and noise.
• Position requires heavy lifting, bending, and climbing into vehicles.
• An employee in this position is subject to potential traffic hazards.
• Exposure to hazards of equipment operation.
• Walking on uneven and sometimes slippery surfaces requiring alertness, agility, balance and coordination.

In the Environmental Services Department we believe everything we do supports healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound, leaving a better Tacoma for all.
The Focus on healthy neighborhoods and a Thriving Puget Sound defines the core values of the Environmental Services Department and our clear focus on: Customers, Employees, and Operations with the three following statements:

• Customers - Partner with the community on customer-valued services to meet the diverse needs of Tacoma neighborhoods
• Employees - Foster safe culture built on trust, conversation and equity
• Operations - Operate using best practices and innovation to meet changing environmental and community needs.

HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS + THRIVING PUGET SOUND = A BETTER TACOMA

Qualifications

An equivalent combination to :

• An equivalent combination to: graduation from high school (or equivalent)

AND

• At least six (6) months of relevant work experience performing heavy manual labor

AND

• At least one (1) year experience operating heavy-duty trucks , Class 8 trucks

OR

• Three (3) years of solid waste collections experience assisting drivers with solid waste collection and routing; operation of hydraulic equipment used to lift, compact and collect material
  

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Washington State Commercial Class B (minimum) Driver's License at time of application and maintenance thereafter. Verifiable safe-driving record.

Appointment is subject to passing a background check, pre-employment medical exam, physical assessment test and drug and alcohol screen.

Knowledge & Skills

KNOWLEDGE:

• Operation and safe use of heavy automotive vehicles and equipment.
• Safe techniques of lifting heavy objects.
• Solid waste collection methods and equipment.
• General knowledge of the City of Tacoma street network.
• Commercial driving laws and regulations; utility services and rates; including local codes and policies.

SKILLS:

• Operate moderate to heavy solid waste-related automotive equipment and related loaders, compactors, and dumping equipment.
• Empty solid waste containers and other heavy objects into standard collection trucks.
• Learn applicable laws, regulations, and procedures related to solid waste, yard/food waste, and recycling collection.
• Understand and follow specific oral and written instructions.
• Read and follow maps.
• Learn assigned routes.
• Write accurate reports (truck maintenance repair/accident, etc.)
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
• Operate onboard computers, radios, and other equipment.
• Customer service oriented; strong communication skills.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Application Process

Interested individual should complete the online application and attach a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Applicants who are eligible for veterans scoring criteria (Veterans Preference) MUST attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4 (proof of military discharge form) at time of application to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference points.
Examination Process
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online test. This test may include, but is not limited to, questions on vehicle operation and safety, traffic signs and laws, personal safety, proper lifting techniques and customer relations. The testing information will be sent to the applicants' email address after the closing date of this job announcement. In order to receive the test link, applicants must provide a valid email address on their job application/candidate profile. Applicants must complete and pass the test with a minimum score of 70% in order to be placed on the Eligible List for interview and hiring consideration.

Employees in the same Rank on the Eligible List will have the date and time of the submission of their job application used as the tie-breaker to determine which employee has seniority over any others; seniority will be determined by the sequence of application submittals, with the first submittal having seniority over subsequent submittals.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $37.36 - $41.18

Annual Salary: $77,708.80 - $85,654.40

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 1/9/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$37.36 - $41.18 Hourly