Recycling Technician - Class B Driver

Description

Position Summary

The C&D Recycling Technician will perform physical labor and equipment operation; separate, sort, and process recyclable materials; maintain and ensure a neat, orderly, and safe work site and operation at Metro Waste Authority Recycling Facilities. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Operates medium equipment, heavy equipment, and other specialized equipment used in recycling operations.
• Screens material loads for unauthorized materials and accepts or rejects loads for recycling. 
• Directs customers to proper unloading areas, cleans up debris and litter, facilitates related training and work instruction to all applicable MWA employees.
• Uses basic shop tools in the maintenance of the worksite and equipment. Lubricates, maintains, and makes minor mechanical repairs of related equipment, repairing, and switching tires. 
• Sorts mixed materials into valuable commodities, loads commodities into trucks and trailers for shipping to market and transports via semi-truck and trailer, box truck, or other means the commodities when necessary. Understands commodity markets and apply operational methods to add enhance value of materials.
• Transport recyclables between various Metro Waste Authority locations by way of semi-truck and trailer, box truck, roll off truck, and pick-up truck and trailer. 
• Processes, grinds, screens recyclables to produce value added products.
• Assists with the handling and de-manufacturing of appliances and like items.
• Maintains and repairs buildings, grounds, and premises of the physical facility to ensure the workplace is tidy, clean, and safe.
• Assist with ground maintenance including but not limited to mowing, weed control, and snow removal.
• Attends required trainings. Maintains industry certifications as needed. 
• Assists customers with the sales of MWA Grow Gold Compost (handling cash, balancing daily cash drawer).

Environmental Stewardship – Demonstrates an understanding of Metro Waste Authority’s Environmental Management System (EMS). Guided by the EMS processes and procedures, we focus on six main areas aimed at increasing diversion and/or protecting the environment. These include:

• Recycling
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection
• Organics Management
• Water Quality Improvement
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction
• Environmental Education

MWA Values - Demonstrates an understanding of Metro Waste Authority’s values and applies them to the position, and assigned responsibilities, as well as to all interactions with customers and co-workers.

• Leadership – Set an example because everyone is a leader!
• Integrity – Always do what is right!
• Positivity – Bring our best to every task, every day and bring out the best in your colleagues!
• Teamwork – Collaborate because we know that together we will address opportunities and challenges!
• Innovation – Forge a new path and evolve!

Competencies

• Accepting Responsibility - Takes accountability for delivering on commitments; owns mistakes and uses them as opportunities for learning and development; openly discusses his/her actions and their consequences both good and bad.
• Managing Time - Accurately estimates time required to complete actions and activities; adheres to schedules and timetables; completes things when he/she said they would; sensitive to the use of other people's time.
• Performing Physical or Mechanical Tasks - Uses his/her hands effectively; able to perform tasks that require an elevated level of manual dexterity; able to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time; adept at working with machinery.
• Working Safely - Respects and follows safety policies and regulations; scans the environment for things that may pose a safety risk; encourages others to utilize safe and healthy work practices.
• Delivering High Quality Work - Critically reviews work processes to ensure quality; addresses problems that could impact quality; makes sure project deliverables and services meet all requirements and expectations; does not make the same mistakes twice.
• Learning Quickly - Quickly comprehends new problems and situations; needs little time to learn and master new processes or tools; able to figure things out as he/she goes along.
• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions - Bases decisions on a systematic review of relevant facts and information; avoids making assumptions or rushing to judgment; provides clear rationale for decisions.

Travel

• This position requires some travel in and around the Des Moines metro area to collect commodities at all Metro Waste Authority facilities.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• 3 years' experience in motorized construction or maintenance equipment
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Class B (CDL) with job-related (Air brake endorsements)
• Basic Computer Skills.
• Knowledge of RCRA, OSHA, DOT, and EPA regulatory requirements for the handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Associate degree or High School Diploma/GED with 3 years related experience.
• 24-hour OSHA HAZWOPER Certification.
• Knowledge of RCRA, OSHA, DOT, and EPA regulatory requirements for the handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste. (Moved from required)

Physical Demands

Maximum occasional floor to waist lift, 50 lbs.; Maximum occasional bilateral or preferred carry, 50 lbs.; Maximum occasional horizontal push/pull, 75 lbs. of force; Maximum occasional vertical push/pull, 50 lbs. of force; Maximum occasional right/left grip, 75 lbs. of force; Maximum frequent right/left 2-point/3-point/lateral pinch, 10/15/25 lbs. of force; Frequent forward/lateral reaching; Occasional above shoulder reaching; Occasional to frequent sitting; Occasional to frequent standing; Occasional to frequent walking; Occasional ladder/equipment climbing; Occasional squatting; Occasional crouching; Occasional kneeling; Occasional to frequent bending; Occasional stooping; Occasional to frequent twisting.

Work Environment

This job is frequently required to perform work outdoors year-round with exposures to weather conditions prevalent at the time. This role will routinely be exposed to vibration and loud background noise and will frequently be exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. Occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. Occasional non-regular work hours, which may include nights and weekends.