Solid Waste/Recycling Operator

Provides essential support for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible operation of the Wallowa County Solid Waste and Recycle Center. This position serves as a primary point of contact for the public, assisting customers with waste disposal and recycling while ensuring compliance with County policies and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provides courteous, professional customer service while assisting residents, contractors, and commercial customers with waste disposal and recycling activities.
• Assists customers with unloading waste and recyclable materials in accordance with County policies and safety procedures.
• Collects, verifies, or processes disposal fees and maintains accurate daily records, reports, and operational logs.
• Operates recycling equipment, compactors, balers, light trucks, and other assigned equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Performs routine landfill, recycle center, building, and grounds maintenance, including litter collection, vegetation control, snow removal, and general housekeeping.
• Uses hand and power tools, including lawn mowers, weed trimmers, chainsaws, and other maintenance equipment, to maintain County facilities.
• Performs minor maintenance and repair work on buildings, equipment, vehicles, and facility infrastructure as assigned.
• Assists with opening and closing procedures, including securing buildings, equipment, and the facility at the end of each workday.
• Identifies prohibited or hazardous materials and follows established reporting and safety procedures.
• Performs routine inspections and cleaning of County vehicles, equipment, and work areas to ensure safe operating conditions.
• Maintains compliance with County policies, OSHA requirements, environmental regulations, and safe work practices.
• Participates in required safety training and consistently uses appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Works cooperatively with Public Works staff and other County departments to support daily operations, special projects, and emergency response activities as needed.
• Participates in cross-training and performs other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• One (1) year of experience in general labor, construction, maintenance, landscaping, equipment operation, recycling, solid waste operations, or a related field preferred.
• Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.
• Valid Oregon Driver License with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification.
• Ability to successfully complete required County safety training, including:
  • Defensive Driving
  • Right-to-Know (Hazard Communication)
  • Fire Extinguisher Training
  • Lockout/Tagout Procedures
• Commercial Driver License (CDL), or the ability to obtain one if required by assignment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Employees required to operate a personal vehicle on County business must maintain liability insurance in accordance with ORS 806.070.

Skills

• Safe work practices related to solid waste and recycling operations.
• Operation and maintenance of hand tools, power tools, and light equipment.
• Basic grounds and facility maintenance practices.
• Customer service principles and effective public interaction.
• Basic arithmetic, recordkeeping, and fee collection procedures.
• Basic computer operation, including point-of-sale or payment processing systems.
• Traffic control and safety practices around heavy equipment and public vehicles.
• County policies, environmental regulations, and workplace safety requirements.
• Perform physically demanding work safely in a variety of weather and environmental conditions.
• Operate light trucks, equipment, and power tools safely and efficiently.
• Communicate courteously and effectively with coworkers and the public.
• Follow written and verbal instructions while working independently or as part of a team.
• Exercise sound judgment and maintain professionalism when interacting with customers.
• Maintain accurate records and complete required reports.
• Identify unsafe conditions or hazardous materials and report them appropriately.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and the public.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed primarily outdoors in a landfill and recycling facility environment with frequent exposure to varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, dust, and uneven terrain.
• Regular exposure to heavy equipment, moving vehicles, machinery, noise, dirt, odors, waste materials, and other environmental conditions associated with solid waste operations.
• Position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, climbing, reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling throughout the workday.
• Regularly lifts and moves materials weighing up to 100 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Operates light trucks, recycling equipment, power tools, and other equipment while maintaining strict adherence to safety procedures.
• Requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliance with all County safety policies, OSHA standards, and environmental regulations.
• May be required to work occasional overtime, weekends, or respond to emergency situations as operational needs dictate.

Schedule

Tuesday – Friday 6:00am – 4:30pm (40 Hours per week)

Pay

$24.06 – $26.67 Hourly Rates – 4 steps

Benefits

• Payday is the last working day of the month
• 15 paid holidays
• 1 personal day after 1 year anniversary (forfeited if not used)
• Step increase per contract effective July 1 (must be PTE/FTE & met 1 year anniversary date)
• Vacation Accrual:
  • 0 - 5 Years: 8 hours per month
  • 5 - 10 Years: 10 hours per month
  Employees can accrue up to twice the annual accrual at the end of the fiscal year (excess is forfeited). Paid out at termination.
• Sick Leave Accrual: 8 hours per month unlimited. Payment at termination: ½ up to 240 hours.
• Life insurance: $10,000 Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (County Paid)
• Life Flight (Air & Ground) covers eligible household dependents by IRS tax laws (County Paid)
• Retirement:
  • Enrollment dates are January 1 & July 1. Must have been employed a full 6 months prior to enrollment date.
  • 8% contributed by the County & 6% mandatory contribution by employee.
  • Employee may also elect a voluntary 457 plan.