Collection Center Operator II

• -- The hourly rate advertised represents Step 1 on the pay table. Additional steps may be available depending on qualifications. ---

Under general supervision, performs daily work assignments for the Solid Waste-Collection Center Division of the Utilities Department in accordance with the Employee Manual, Department Policies and Procedures, City of Alamogordo Ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal authority.

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent;

• Two years of experience in a laborer or maintenance position;

• Valid New Mexico Driver's License with a driving record acceptable to the City of Alamogordo;

• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Required within sixty (60) days:

• OSHA-complaint Forklift certification.

Required within eighteen (18) months:

• Transfer Station Operator Certification* issued by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED); and

• Valid New Mexico Class A Commercial Driver's License with Tank (N) endorsement and a driving record acceptable to the City of Alamogordo. Drivers shall be granted a period of six (6) months to upgrade and remove an automatic transmission (E) restriction if one exists.

Desired:

• Experience operating equipment such as forklifts, backhoes, chippers, and compactors.

• Welding experience.

• Experience working at a landfill or transfer station.

• The NMED Solid Waste Bureau determines minimum qualifications for certifications. Testing eligibility and renewal requirements are subject to change pursuant to the Bureau.

• Assists with the daily operations of the Collection Center which includes the operation of various equipment associated with disposal procedures, including utility trucks, forklifts, backhoes, chippers, and compactors;

• Serves as a backup to other Collection Center positions to ensure that the workload demands of the facility are met, including but not limited to, scale house operations and the use of a computer with software pertaining to receiving solid waste and customer billing; redirects unauthorized users to the Otero County facility;

• Performs Collection Center opening and closing duties;

• Ensures the yard, shop, and metal storage building are organized, clean, and maintained;

• Works closely with the Supervisor to complete a variety of tasks relating to the maintenance and purchasing necessary to keep the yard in good operating condition;

• May drive a collection vehicle over a designated route, picking up solid waste containers, including recyclables or yard waste; returns to provide an empty container to the original pick-up site;

• Loads, packs, and changes containers;

• Greets Collection Center customers and directs them to the appropriate location; may assist customers in emptying loads;

• Conducts on-site inspections and screening of incoming waste in accordance with NMED Solid Waste rules and/or City of Alamogordo policy;

• Observes surrounding conditions such as citizens, equipment, and property to ensure that solid waste is collected is a safe manner;

• Regulates traffic in hazardous conditions to ensure safe conditions for Collection Center personnel and the public;

• Checks oil, water, fuel, tires, and hydraulic systems and makes appropriate adjustments on a regular basis to ensure vehicles and equipment are in proper operating condition;

• Performs routine maintenance checks on all Collection Center equipment including maintenance and/or repairs on small engines;

• Performs routine maintenance of roll-off dumpster containers which may include welding, fabrication, and painting;

• Responsible for yard maintenance and upkeep in an assigned area to present a positive image to the public, including, but not limited to, raking, sweeping, pulling weeds, and trash removal;

• Maintains work area, cleans, and performs general custodial and maintenance duties;

• Reports and/or corrects unsafe working conditions;

• Assists in maintaining records of waste volume/type and compiling data into monthly reports;

• Answers questions from the public in person and on the telephone regarding Collection Center fees, operations, dumping, hazardous wastes, recycling, and other related matters; refers customers to the Supervisor, as necessary;

• Weighs vehicles entering the Collection Center, identifies, screens, and inspects the contents of the vehicle, and calculates the appropriate fee charged for dumping;

• Receives receipts and records fees; performs routine posting of records; balances daily receipts;

• Operates a variety of office equipment, including telephone and computer, using standard MS Office software such as Word and Excel, plus email;

• With proper licensing, may transport solid waste utilizing a commercial vehicle;

• Safely operates City vehicles;

• Contributes to a high-quality work culture through participation in training and mentoring to develop skills, including safety-related training and skills;

• Interacts professionally and provides excellent customer service to all levels of City staff and citizens to ensure high operational and service standards; and

• Performs duties in accordance with the Employee Manual, Department Policies and Procedures, City of Alamogordo Ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal authority.

OTHER IMPORTANT DUTIES

• Must obtain and maintain required license(s) and/or certification(s);

• Non-traditional work hours are necessary during evenings, weekends, and on holidays;

• Provides on-the-job training to less experienced personnel as assigned;

• Maintains the confidentiality of information obtained during the performance of duties; and

• Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Effective customer service techniques;

• Safe operation of equipment and machinery, including utility truck, forklift, backhoe, chipper, and compactor; and

• Basic cleaning, maintenance, and groundskeeping functions and safe use of tools required to perform duties.

Skill/Ability to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication; understand and follow instructions;

• Perform tasks and other daily activities in a positive and professional manner alongside employees of varied backgrounds and personalities;

• Attend work, as scheduled and on a regular basis, to effectively perform the position's essential duties and responsibilities;

• Exercise common sense and good judgment in the performance of essential duties;            

• Safely operate vehicles, and cleaning, maintenance, and mechanical equipment, including power and/or hand-operated tools;

• Perform strenuous work in the outdoors and tolerate outside working conditions, including exposure to adverse weather conditions;

• Perform heavy manual labor; perform routine, intermediate, and difficult maintenance, repairs,

• and installations to Collection Center equipment such as roll-off dumpster containers, compactors, and chipper equipment;

• Analyze problems; identify, recommend, and implement solutions;

• Maintain professionalism under pressure; demonstrate tact with the public; respond quickly and positively to customer complaints;

• Work well with others and participate fully in a team-oriented environment;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and

• Provide excellent customer service to ensure high operational and service standards are met and maintained for the citizens of Alamogordo.

Ability to Learn:

• Job-related O.S.H.A. requirements;

• Solid waste maintenance techniques;

• NMED Solid Waste rules and City of Alamogordo policies and procedures;

• Scale house operations; and

• The effective use of office equipment, including computers and supporting software applications.

• Work is typically performed outdoors and may be subject to inclement weather conditions;

• Daily physical labor that includes extended periods of walking, sitting, standing, kneeling, bending, reaching, climbing ladders, lifting heavy objects, swinging heavy hammers;

• May be subject to repetitive motion such as painting, digging, typing, and driving;

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud;

• Some work is performed indoors, where the noise level is usually quiet to moderate;

• May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, contaminants, toxins, pollutants, or allergens which can adversely affect the skin and/or the respiratory system, such as gases, smoke, odors, mists, fumes, dust, pollen, oils, solvents, pesticides and/or herbicides;

• Hazards include exposure to insects, rodents, snakes, and other wildlife typical of the southwest;

• Will work near gas lines, meters, and other utilities, including electricity;

• Terrain may be uneven or undeveloped;

• Lift and/or move items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds; the lifting of any object greater than fifty (50) pounds by a single individual is prohibited. Lifting objects, materials, or equipment weighing more than fifty (50) pounds requires the buddy system or the use of devices designed to assist with lifting or moving. Proper lifting techniques shall be used when lifting items of any weight; and

• Required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for job assignments, including protective footwear, marked by the manufacturer, with a minimum standard of M/F I/75/C75, 6" ankle height work boots, per current ASTM F2413 standard.