Waste Collection Specialist (R5)

Job Description

Purpose:

The Waste Collection Specialist provides collection services of organic, inorganic materials, and minor curbside collection, and other related work as required under the direction of the Sustainable Materials Management Division. Responsibilities include operating equipment required for Public Works projects and ensuring for the safe and efficient operation of vehicles and machinery.

Supervision:

Supervision Scope: Employee is familiar with the work routine and uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently, with specific instruction. Any questionable cases are referred to the supervisor for clarification or interpretation. Work is reviewed only to an extent sufficient to keep the supervisor aware of progress, and to insure that completed work and methods used are technically accurate and that instructions are being followed.

Supervision Received: reports to the Director of Sustainable Materials Management and/or designee. Employee works under the general supervision of the Working Foreman.

Supervision Given: Employee does not exercise any supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Functions:

• Equipment operation and manual work relating to the activities of the Sustainable Materials Management Division.
• Pick-up and haul residential yard waste and other organic material.
• Pick up and haul trash and recycling at schools, parks, and city buildings, as needed.
• Pick-up, repair, and deliver trash/recycling carts.
• Ensure that proper disposal rules and regulations are followed, and only permissible items are collected.
• Haul yard waste and sweepings and construction debris as needed.
• Participate in storm activities including plowing, salting, and hauling.
• Notify other divisions/departments of observed problems, such as debris in street, potholes, downed tree limbs, and water leaks. Fills potholes as needed.
• Drives trucks to haul materials, plows snow, operates sander and other vehicles as assigned. Keeps logs of activities as required.
• Ensures that all safety precautions are followed while performing work.
• Performs a CDL circle check; lubricates, adds oil, inflates tires and otherwise services equipment to ensure proper operation; reports any malfunctions to supervisor, and may assist in making minor repairs and maintenance.
• Completes a Vehicle Condition report daily and may assist with repair and maintenance of equipment and machinery.
• Performs similar or related duties as required or directed by the supervisor.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:
A candidate for this position should have a High School diploma or equivalent and one to three (1-3) years of experience in waste collection. CDL B required (Applicants with a CDL permit could be considered for this position) 2A,1C hoisting license or ability to obtain within 6 months

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:
A candidate for this position should have knowledge of:

• Waste Collection
• Construction and/or landscaping methods and materials associated with the respective department
• Truck driving and small equipment operating practices and procedures
• Occupational safety precautions

Skill in:

Performing duties safely and efficiently

Ability to:

• Operate heavy trucks in a safe manner in accordance with department safety guidelines
• Detect mechanical problems, maintain vehicle and equipment, and may assist in performing minor repairs
• Read and follow oral and written instructions
• Perform strenuous physical work over a period of time and lifts, carries, and places heavy objects often under adverse weather conditions.

Computer Skills
Must be able to operate a personal computer and technical software, such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other industry specific programs.
A strong commitment to public service required.

Physical requirements/work environment:

Employee works on loud to very loud construction sites and is exposed to outdoor weather conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, more than 2/3rd of the time; toxic or caustic chemicals, extremes of heat and cold up to 1/3rd of the time.

Employee is required to talk, listen, use hands, and reach with hands and arms more than 2/3rd of the time; stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.

Employee frequently lifts up to 60 lbs., occasionally lifts up to or more than 100 lbs.

Normal vision is required for this position. Equipment operated includes trucks in excess of 26,001 lbs., pneumatic tools, and hand tools.

Position responsibilities require the use of judgment and initiative to interpret the numerous standardized practices, procedures, codes, or general instructions governing the work. Employee is expected to locate, select, and apply the most pertinent practice, procedure, regulation, or guideline for a given situation.

Errors can result in personal injury/loss, delay or loss of service, damage to equipment or injury to others.

The position has occasional contact with the public and frequent contact with City employees, in person to respond to inquiries and provide information and assistance.

Performance Standard:

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

Company Description

THE CITY:


The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.



OUR GOVERNMENT:


Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Marc C. Laredo was sworn in on January 1, 2026 after serving on the City Council. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.



AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing [email protected].

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

The targeted salary range reflects what the City of Newton reasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting, but the final salary determination may be within or outside this range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and market factors. The range will be reviewed regularly and is subject to change.

Benefits

• Health insurance - 75% employer sponsored
• Dental insurance
• Two (2) weeks of vacation time per year
• Annual step increases (up to the maximum of the grade)
• Annual cost of living adjustments (COLA)
• Longevity payments after 5 years of continuous service
• 12.5 paid holidays per year
• $1000 clothing allowance per year
• 2 paid floating holidays per year, 2 personal business days per year
• 80 hours of special leave time per year
• Snow bonus - an additional $8.50/hour
• Summer Hours - Friday's off - Monday through Thursday 10 hour work days
• For Fleet Mechanics/Technicians, one (1) time $1500 tool allowance paid out upon completing probationary period
• Availability for overtime
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Weekly Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees