Job Details

The ideal candidate is a dependable, service-oriented professional with strong leadership skills and experience in solid waste or recycling operations. They lead by example, prioritizing safety, efficiency, and excellent customer service while ensuring site policies and procedures are consistently followed.

This candidate has experience directing daily operations, supporting and training staff in equipment use and safety practices, and stepping into a supervisory role as needed. They effectively address operational and personnel issues, assist with scheduling and performance evaluation, and foster a positive, team-focused work environment.

THE JOB: Under direction, serve as a lead worker for employees engaged in general maintenance, recycling operations, material transport, scale house functions at the County`s Disposal Sites; assign work to operational staff; determine work methods to be used; observe and direct the work; solve problems that occur; operate heavy equipment; assist with loading transfer trucks and support the  Public Works Supervisors in  site operations as-needed basis; and perform other duties as required. Disposal Site Operations Leads are to work at both the Buena Vista Landfill and the Ben Lomond Transfer Station. Both facilities are open and staffed six days a week (closed Sundays), including most holidays. The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Two years of experience in recycling or solid waste operations, including diversion sorting, equipment operation, and adherence to safety procedures. One year of grounds maintenance experience may be substituted for one year of the required solid waste or recycling experience. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, CONDITIONS: 

License: Possession of a valid California class A driver license. Possess and maintain a valid Cal OSHA forklift certification within three months of hire.

Other Special Requirements: Alcohol and drug tests will be administered to all candidates prior to final selection for positions requiring class A or B driver licenses upon entry and to employees in positions requiring these licenses as mandated by Department of Transportation federal regulations. In addition, all candidates must provide specific employment history for up to the past ten years for all jobs they have held which required operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Availability to work irregular hours, including working weekends and holidays.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of safety procedures and practices related to Recycling and Solid Waste Operations; basic operations and services of the Recycling and Solid Waste services program; tools, equipment, vehicles, and materials utilized in solid waste operations. Working knowledge of laws, ordinances and regulations governing solid waste disposal. Some knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and training; the capabilities, operation and maintenance of light and heavy equipment; methods, equipment and materials used in the program assignment; occupational hazards and safety standards and practices of the program assignment.

Ability to: Assist the supervisor in recycling and diversion oversight, preparing staff work schedules, and in evaluating their work performance; drive and operate vehicles, such as automobiles, utility and pick-up trucks, construction equipment and material handling equipment; train subordinates in proper work procedures and safety practices; solve a variety of technical and personnel problems; assist the supervisor in the operation of a disposal site on an as-needed basis; act as site supervisor as needed in the absence of the supervisor; develop and maintain effective working relationships with others; understand, explain and apply applicable laws, rules and regulations; walk over rough terrain; lift items weighing up to 75 pounds; perform heavy physical labor for extended periods of time and under all types of outdoor weather conditions.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated in the job announcement.  If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list.  The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants.  If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months, and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications will meet the final filing date if received:  1) in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.