Job Details

Job Title: Refuse Collection Worker

Under direct supervision, performs refuse collection duties for the City's Public Works Department. Work involves lifting heavy containers and loading contents onto refuse collection trucks, and performing physically strenuous activities such as lifting furniture and other heavy items left for collection. Employee may assist in operation of leaf vacuum trucks, aiding driver in ensuring proper collection of leaves. Work also includes dumping refuse at City landfill and washing sanitation trucks. Employee is subject to the usual unpleasant working conditions associated with refuse collection. Reports to the Sanitation Equipment Operator and/or the Sanitation Field Supervisor. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. The City of Suffolk is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace

Essential Job Functions

• Serves as a loader on a sanitation packer truck; lifts refuse receptacles and dumps contents into trucks; picks up tree limbs and miscellaneous debris and loads onto truck; operates hydraulic controls to compact garbage in truck.
• Inspects truck at the beginning of each shift, making sure blade and compactor are functioning properly.
• Opens back gate of truck and pushes refuse out at dump site.
• Fuels refuse collection vehicles; washes and maintains refuse trucks, checking oil regularly; repairs broken trash cans.
• Maintains on-call status during inclement weather; responds and provides service in inclement weather, including snow storms, hurricanes, extreme heat, and rain.
• Communicates with coworkers via two-way radio to report breakdowns and other issues.
• Answers questions and inquiries from public concerning refuse collection.
• Assist in maintaining cleanliness of truck by keeping truck cleaned, washed and greased.
• Collects and disposes of animal carcasses found lying beside the roadway.
• Assists boom truck operators.
• Assists leaf vacuum truck operator, ensuring proper collection of leaves.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated physical ability to perform assigned tasks; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must possess a valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of the standard methods, materials, and equipment employed in refuse collection work.
• Knowledge of the operation of hydraulic controls on a sanitation truck.
• Knowledge of the operation of the boom truck.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to understand and learn the occupational hazards and proper safety precautions to be taken in refuse collection work.
• Ability to perform very heavy physical work.
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions for extended periods of time.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from superiors.
• Ability to read simple forms.
• Ability to prepare time sheets and leave slips using prescribed format.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in Standard English.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add and subtract.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.