Solid Waste Collection Operator

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Employment Type

Job Summary

Solid Waste Collection Operator

The City of Olathe is seeking a dependable, safety-focused Solid Waste Collection Operator to join a team that provides one of the community’s most visible and essential public services. In this role, you will help deliver reliable waste and recycling collection for Olathe residents while supporting high standards of public service, operational excellence, and community pride.

If you hold a valid State of Kansas Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License, have a favorable driving record, and enjoy driving a commercial vehicle, this is an excellent opportunity to build a stable career in local government. Solid Waste Collection Operators play a vital role in keeping Olathe clean, safe, and welcoming by providing dependable service that residents rely on and by supporting efforts to reduce landfill impact.

Each day offers meaningful work centered on safety, teamwork, professionalism, reliability, and customer service. The City of Olathe offers the opportunity to serve a growing Kansas community that values responsive and dependable city services. This position is ideal for individuals who take pride in meaningful work, thrive in a team-oriented environment, and are committed to safety, dependability, professionalism, and excellent customer service.

Why Join Us?
The City of Olathe’s Solid Waste Division is nationally recognized for excellence in customer service and operational performance. Our culture is grounded in Customer Service, Teamwork, Learning, Communication, and Leadership Through Service. We foster a supportive, empowering workplace and invest in employees through paid training and professional development, ensuring that every team member plays an essential role in our success.

Competitive Pay and Incentives

• Pay Range: Starting at $23.75 per hour, up to $29.00 per hour, based on qualifications

• Incentive-Based Pay Structure: Rewards efficiency; employees receive a full day’s pay even when routes are completed early

• Overtime Eligibility: Overtime is paid for hours worked over 40 in a workweek

$4,000 New Hire Bonus (paid in three installments)

• $1,000 after 30 days of employment

• $1,000 after six months of employment

• $2,000 after one year of employment

 ​To receive each installment, you must be actively employed at the time of payout and successfully meeting introductory period requirements. Current City of Olathe employees are not eligible.

Additional Perks

• Paid Parental Leave

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Employee Wellbeing Program

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Work Schedule and Holidays

• Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or until all routes are completed

• Holidays Off: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. If any of these holidays fall on a weekday, employees are required to work the following Saturday to make up for the holiday.

• Other Holidays: Employees are required to work all other holidays

To learn more about our Vision, Values and Mission click here.

To learn more about our benefits, click here.

Pre-Employment Requirements
Employment is contingent upon successfully completing:

• Employment verification
• Reference check
• Criminal background check
• Driving record review
• DOT physical exam and agility screening
• Drug screening

We are looking for individuals who are hardworking, respectful, service-oriented, and committed to team success. If you take pride in doing important work well and want to join a city known for operational excellence and community pride, we encourage you to apply.

If you are ready to build a rewarding career while making a visible difference in the community, apply today and join the City of Olathe’s dedicated Solid Waste team.

For more details, review the full job details and requirements below.

The Solid Waste Collection Operator performs the activities and operations of the assigned solid waste collection work group by the collection of residential, commercial, curbside recycling and bulky item refuse. The pick-up of material may be by automated, semi-automated or manual. This position performs skilled refuse equipment operation and routine maintenance of equipment and adheres to all safe work practices, safety procedures and safety regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepares refuse collection equipment for daily operations by conducting pre-operations inspection, routine maintenance and cleaning of the equipment, ensuring proper working condition; ensures that the equipment and vehicles associated with the division are operated in compliance with Federal, State and local codes, ordinances and regulations.

• Completes daily route assignments and transports refuse to the Solid Waste Transfer Station or approved disposal, recycling, or composting facility as directed.

• Completes daily reports and related documentation and correspondence for operations within the area of responsibility.

• Cooperates with immediate supervisors to ensure customer service requests are resolved, responding to public inquiries in a courteous manner, providing information within the area of assignment and resolving complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

• Takes a role in implementing the safety culture of the division; ensures adherence to safe work practices, procedures and compliance with Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Qualifications

Experience: One year of related experience is preferred.

Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Licenses & Certifications: A class B commercial driver’s license with air-brake endorsement and favorable driving record are required.