Driver Helper

About the Role

All Driver’s Trainees (“Trainees”) employed by Athens Services are responsible for all assigned waste collection. It is expected that every Trainee will conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times and perform all duties as assigned in a safe manner. The primary duty is to aid the efforts of the driver and be a second set of eyes on the road to prevent accidents and injuries.

Commercial Trainees are responsible for the collection and hand loading of commercial and residential waste. Trainees must communicate professionally with customers, dispatch, and supervisors. This role is the first step toward a fulfilling career in commercial driving and is intended to last between 12-48 months, depending on performance, skills development, and interest.

An employee must serve a minimum of 12 months and no more than a maximum of 48 months before graduating with a Trainee Graduation Certificate and promoting to a Scout role. For those who choose not to pursue the Scout path, the Trainee role will conclude after 48 months. Employees are encouraged to explore other available roles within the company for which they may be qualified.

Responsibilities

• Assist in picking up and transporting waste safely, according to all federal, state, and local rules and regulations.
• Pick up specified waste from each customer site scheduled for the day.
• Ensure customers have packaged and prepared waste according to regulations before transporting.
• Provide the highest level of customer service to assigned accounts daily.
• Communicate any issues to Operations Manager, Route Supervisor, or Dispatcher for resolution, including re-routes, container size adjustments, or training needs.
• Ensure waste, supplies, and material handling equipment are secured prior to operating the vehicle on public highways.
• Respect the property of all residential and commercial customers.
• Clean the inside and exterior of trucks regularly and report any observed maintenance problems.
• Work safely and carefully to prevent injury to self and others while loading and unloading the vehicle.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Valid Class C Driver’s License.
• Acceptable Driver Record.
• Exceptional Communication Skills.
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Work experience in the waste, environmental services, energy, or transportation industry.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Physical:

• Bins may exceed 1,000 pounds in weight; employees will be required to physically push, pull, and lift bins up hills and uneven terrain.
• Continuously grasping, bending, pushing, pulling, lifting, stretching, twisting, stooping, and walking on uneven surfaces.
• Frequently lifting up to 75 lb.
• Frequent entry and exit from a truck (up to 150 times daily), involving steps to access an elevated seat.
• Able to work standing and/or sitting for long periods of time.
• Continuous standing, walking, seeing, hearing, and smelling.
• Continuous problem-solving, oral/written communication, analytical ability, concentration, and interpersonal abilities.
• Continuous eye/hand coordination, handling, and wrist motion.

Environmental:

• Exposure to dust, smoke, fumes, odors, grease, oil, chemicals, wet/hot conditions, and noise continuously.
• Works outside only in windy, hot, cold, or wet environments.
• Works around heavy equipment and among refuse in dusty conditions.
• Frequent exposure to traffic; must maintain high situational awareness and communication with others.

Pay

$21.51 - $22.01 hourly.

Benefits

• Competitive wages.
• Comprehensive benefits package (Medical, Dental, Vision).
• 401K.
• Life Insurance.
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time.
• Career plan and recognition programs.
• Professional development learning.
• Exceptional work environment.