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Working for the City of Tacoma is more than a job – it is a daily opportunity to leave our community better than we found it. In the Environmental Services Department, everything we do creates a better Tacoma by promoting healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound. It is why we exist. We are committed to partnering with our community, fostering a great employee culture, and continuing to improve our award-winning operations with a clear focus on safety. We are looking for employees who embrace and live by our shared core values and commit to our shared purpose of making a difference in our community.
The City of Tacoma Environmental Services Department, Solid Waste Management Division, is seeking highly motivated people devoted to public service to join our team in providing exceptional service to the citizens of Tacoma.
This is an entry-level position and we will train the successful candidate(s) who are selected for the position. Solid Waste Workers are generally hired to perform a variety of customer service and manual labor tasks in support of the Solid Waste Management Division. Some of these tasks include, but are not limited to:
Sweeping and shoveling various materials to maintain a clean workspace
Removing prohibited materials from the waste stream,
Maintaining and delivering solid waste containers
Emptying solid waste containers on collection routes and lifting, moving, loading furniture items and debris
Candidates should enjoy working both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather. This is a great opportunity to join the City of Tacoma and acquire valuable training and work experience.
Solid Waste Workers can be hired as full-time, part-time, project and/or as temporary employees. This recruitment will be used to fill any vacancies that may occur in the Solid Waste Management Division for the period of one year.
Our ideal candidate will possess the following competencies:
Collaborates: builds partnerships and works cooperatively with others to meet shared goals.
Communicates effectively: delivers communication orally and in writing that conveys a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Handles conflict situations effectively.
Instills Trust: gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
Decision Quality: makes good and timely decisions.
Situational Adaptability: adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
Work Independently: ability to perform work independently and with initiative.
Safety: makes safety a core value in all work that is performed.
The Principles that Guide Us:
Tacoma, the City of Destiny, has a workforce of dedicated, talented employees with unique skills and perspectives. We embrace innovation and strive for excellence and community engagement. The Principles that Guide Us, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Equity, speak to the values that we embody as City of Tacoma employees, and represent the core of our work in public service.
Examples of job duties and responsibilities:
Provide traffic control at various locations throughout the City of Tacoma's Recovery and Transfer Center.
Recover recyclable material from the waste stream.
Monitor customer activity to help ensure their safety.
Provide relief for breaks, vacation and sick leave at the Scale-house, when necessary.
Conduct clean-up and other maintenance activities at various locations throughout the facility.
Assist with the cleaning of heavy equipment and other Solid Waste Management vehicles such as trucks, cars, and pickups.
Assist with the maintenance of drainage systems throughout the facility.
Operate motor vehicles, sweepers and other small equipment, when required.
Assist with various components of Solid Waste Management's Recycling and Hazardous Waste programs and facility operations
Place solid waste containers in the field, including loading containers, stenciling numbers and delivering.
Repair and maintain plastic and metal solid waste containers. This includes painting containers when required.
Spot check random loads of solid waste for hazardous waste and other undesirable material.
Assist in the monitoring, maintenance and repair of the methane gas control system and groundwater extraction/treatment system.
Assist with the yard waste collection program (includes curbside pick-up of yard waste).
Assist in maintenance of landscape areas.
Perform related duties as required.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Solid waste disposal areas working environment: subject to adverse weather conditions and potential fumes from vehicles and disposal waste.
Position requires general public contact.
An employee in this position is exposed to potential hazards from traffic and hazardous materials.
City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.
Qualifications
An equivalent combination to:
Graduation from high school or equivalent,
AND
Six (6) months of experience in heavy manual labor
LICENSE, CERTIFICATION, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid Washington State Driver's License at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: **Desired but not required for hire**
Bi-lingual proficiency
Additional experience providing customer service is highly valued
Knowledge & Skills
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Proper methods of directing traffic for safe and orderly disposal of solid waste
Appropriate methods of disposing of solid waste in a safe manner
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy
SKILLS:
Learn applicable laws, regulations, and procedures
Understand and follow oral and written directions
Direct traffic in a safe and orderly manner
Advise and instruct the public where and when to dispose solid waste
Maintain disposal area in a safe, clean and orderly condition
Operate a variety of tools, equipment, and machinery such as hoses, shovels, brooms, high pressure washer, small drills, etc.
Operate a motor vehicle in a safe, legal, and defensive manner
Maintain a cooperative and courteous attitude with the public
Perform heavy manual labor, lifting heavy objects, and material
Use respiratory and chemical protective equipment without restrictions
Walk and stand for extended periods of time
Selection Process & Supplemental Information
Solid Waste Worker description imageTo be considered for this opportunity:
Interested individuals must apply online and meet the minimum qualifications to progress in the examination process.
In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.
Candidates who are eligible for Veteran's Preference scoring criteria 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.
Per City of Tacoma Personnel Management Policy #170, the City of Tacoma is a drug-free work environment. Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background check and will include a pre-employment medical examination, physical ability test and drug and alcohol screening.
This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Teamsters Local Union 117. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.
WHY WORK FOR THE CITY?
The City of Tacoma offers a generous program of employee benefits:
Outstanding working conditions and an exceptional quality-of-life environment.
Medical coverage for eligible employees, spouses and dependents, including children up to age 26.
Vision care with VSP for employees and eligible dependents enrolled in the Regence PPO medical plan with vision benefits.
Dental coverage for eligible employees and their elected dependents, including dependent children up to the age of 26.
Deferred compensation allowing tax-deferred savings as authorized under Section 457 of the IRS Code.
Personal time off.
Paid holidays.
A great pension plan.
Our City:
With a population of over 210,000, Tacoma is the second largest city in the Puget Sound region, gracing the shores of Commencement Bay. We are a diverse, progressive, international city that serves as a gateway to the Pacific Rim and the rest of the world. Named one of the most livable areas in the country by Livability.com, Tacoma and the surrounding area is a playground for outdoor and maritime enthusiasts. Our businesses are vibrant, our parks are beautiful, our schools are exceptional and our housing is affordable.
When you work for the City of Tacoma you'll have an opportunity to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible schedules (with some job classifications), continuing education programs, leadership pathways, wellness incentives and a total rewards benefits program. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny:
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/newhires
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/
http://www.traveltacoma.com/
The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope. 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.
Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must 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.
For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, please call Human Resources at (253) 591.5400 before 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement.
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