The Solid Waste Management Department offers challenging career opportunities. In addition to a bi-weekly paycheck, the City of Houston boasts of a comprehensive benefits package.
We are happy to offer our workers medical, dental, and basic and voluntary life insurance, as well as opportunities for supplemental insurance and a healthcare flexible spending account. Our employees receive 10 paid holidays in addition to their vacation days that grow based on years of employment with the City.
Our Solid Waste Management employees are our most important assets. We take pride in offering continual training and some tuition reimbursement for our dedicated workforce. Leadership skills are further reinforced by classes taught by senior management and other professionals internally and externally. We are dedicated to promoting from within the department whenever possible. This is a strong reason why many of our employees have stayed through out the years to make their first "job" a stepping stone to a positive career path.
Let me add, it only takes 5 years to be vested as a City employee. However, many Solid Waste Management Department employees choose to stay with the department to receive their substantial retirement package. For more details, on the specifics of each component of the City's benefits package, please click here.
We look forward to having you on the team!
Harry J. Hayes, Director
Solid Waste Management Department
MECHANIC I
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Performs general and preventive maintenance and body repair to City Vehicles. All assignments are presented with detail instructions before beginning the project. Repairs and replaces defective and worn parts in City vehicles, i.e.: starters, alternators, brakes, batteries, belts, hoses and tires. Performs minor electrical work. Performs preventive maintenance functions including replacing oil and oil filters and performing tune-ups to engines. Performs simple bodywork and paints damaged sections of the automobile. Cleans and maintains equipment and shop tools. Performs housekeeping duties. Assists with various projects as requested. MUST FURNISH OWN TOOLSAND SAFETY SHOES.
Maintains and repairs heavy and light mechanical equipment, parts and components. Performs minor overhauls, front-end alignments, and minor vehicle component repairs and maintenance. Keeps track of repair time and reports time on work orders. Stays current on new technology. Rebuilds minor vehicle components. Repairs electrical and air conditioning systems. Uses hand tools, hoists, pressure gauges, drills, grinding wheels and technical manuals. MUST FURNISH OWN TOOLSAND SAFETY SHOES.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Performs scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, repairs, remodifications (by fabricating and welding) and related services to various types of vehicular equipment. Diagnoses problems or recurring malfunctions, chooses course of action, personally repairs or directs repair of vehicles and determines success of repair by road test or other means. Removes repairs and/or replaces all or part of automatic and manual transmissions, diesel engines, brakes, suspension, exhaust, fuel, cooling and electrical systems. Utilizes technical diagnostic machines and laptops in determining vehicle failures. Uses hand tools, hoists, pressure gauges, drills, grinding wheels and factory manuals. May lead and train less skilled mechanics. Keeps track of repair time on Flat Rate Time sheets. Stays current on new technology. MUST FURNISH OWN TOOLSAND SAFETY SHOES.
Operates the prentice loader hydraulic gripper assembly and truck, two-way radio and safety equipment (i.e., fire extinguishers, road reflectors and personal safety equipment). Transports refuse materials to and from specified destinations; i.e., landfills, neighborhood depository sites, transfer stations, and resource recovery facilities. Performs pre and post-trip maintenance and related vehicle checks and operator services; i.e., fluid levels, air pressures, washing vehicles, etc. Completes and submits records on check‑in time, number and tonnage of loads, amount of fuel used, and odometer readings. Prepares a daily report of operations. MUST PROVIDE OWN SAFETY SHOES.
Operates a roll-off, cherry picker (brush/trash loader), rear loader truck or other collection/ vehicle with hydraulic controls on truck. Transports materials to and from specified destination; i.e., landfills, neighborhood depository sites, transfer station and resource recovery plants. Performs pre and post-trip maintenance related vehicle checks and operator services; i.e., fluid levels, air pressures, washing, etc. Completes and submits records on check-in time, number and tonnage of loads, amount of fuel used, and odometer readings. Will perform physical labor in loading packer/open bed refuse trucks. May answer citizen’s questions regarding proper contents, packing weight, container type, pick-up times and placement of garbage containers. The position routinely requires extensive near-continuous physical exertions such as repeated lifting of heavy objects (not to exceed 80 pounds) and/or very long periods of walking on rough surfaces on a routine basis. MUST PROVIDE OWN SAFETY SHOES.
Operates open-bed dump refuse collection truck or packer. Operates bed-lift hydraulic controls on truck. Transports operator to and from specified destinations. Performs pre and post-trip maintenance related vehicle checks and operator services; i.e., fluid levels, air pressures, washing, etc. Completes and submits records on check-in time, number and tonnage of loads, amount of fuel used, and odometer readings. Will perform physical labor in loading packer/open bed refuse trucks. May answer citizen’s questions regarding proper contents, packing weight, container type, pick-up times and placement of garbage containers. The position routinely requires extensive near-continuous physical exertions such as repeated lifting of heavy objects (not to exceed 80 pounds) and/or very long periods of walking on rough surfaces on a routine basis. MUST PROVIDE OWN SAFETY SHOES.
Functions as the primary operator of a collection/yard trimming truck. Operators will operate hydraulic controls on refuse truck. Perform pre‑ and post‑trip maintenance related vehicle inspection and operator services; i.e., fluid levels, air pressures, washing, etc. Complete and submit records on check‑in time, number of load and tonnage, amount of fuel used, and odometer reading.May answer citizen's questions regarding proper content, packing weight, container type pick‑up times and placement of garbage containers. May perform special assignments as directed. Oversees the collection and transport of refuse materials to specified sites. Will perform physical labor in the collecting of items. The position requires extensive, near-continuous physical exertion such as repeated lifting of very heavy objects (up to 80 pounds), deep bending, climbing steps and/or assuming awkward positions. MUST PROVIDE OWN SAFETY SHOES.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Will perform physical labor in the collection of household recyclables and refuse from city curbs. Answers citizens questions regarding proper contents, packing weight, container types, pick-up times and placement of containers. The Sideloader Operator primary responsibilities will be on the back of the truck. Will operate the vehicle on occasion while on the route and while emptying and cleaning the truck at the service center. Responsibilities will include; operating the hydraulic controls on truck and performing pre-and post-trip maintenance inspections. The position requires extensive near-continuous physical exertion such as repeated lifting of heavy objects (not to exceed 80 pounds), deep bending, climbing steps and/or assuming awkward. MUST PROVIDE OWN SAFETY SHOES.
