Recycling Sorter

Metro Waste Authority

Posted 3 months ago

Full Time

Grimes, Iowa

In Person

Smart Summary

Responsibilities

Responsible for sorting recyclables and removing contaminants from the waste stream to meet quality control metrics. Performs general facility cleaning, grounds maintenance, and operates heavy machinery like forklifts and skid loaders.

Qualifications

You have the ability to sort recyclables and remove unaccepted material from the waste stream to meet quality control metrics. You can operate equipment and use hand tools to maintain facilities and grounds. Experience with skid loaders, mini loaders, forklifts, and basic maintenance is beneficial.

Must Have Skills for ATS

skid loader operation

mini loader operation

forklift operation

CPR/First-Aid Certification

Job Description

Description

Position Summary 

The recycling sorter is responsible for sorting recyclables and removing unaccepted material from the waste stream to meet quality control metrics. Performs general cleaning and organization to contribute to overall efficient operations. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

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

  • Sorts recyclables and removes unacceptable material from the recycling stream delivered to the facility. 
  • Communicates to lead and/or supervisor if equipment is not properly functioning or handling the inbound material. 
  • Sorts and transports salvage items to designated areas. 
  • Adheres to facility cleanliness, organizational systems, and facility standard work procedures while maintaining a vision for continuous improvement. 
  • Enters machinery for daily maintenance.
  • Removes contamination from processed bales
  • Operates skid loader, mini loader, forklift, side by side and lawn mowers
  • Operates equipment and uses had tools to maintain Grimes campus grounds and other MWA facilities as needed.
  • Cleans up debris and litter by means of physical labor, gives related training and work instruction to helpers and temporary employees, and operates specialized equipment used in litter control. 
  • Provides courteous external and internal customer service according to MWA Customer Service standards. 
  • Assists with campus snow removal 
  • Assists with can redemption and compost sales 

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 the 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 Direction- Accepts and follows directions from others; respects authority; complies with requests; does what they are asked to do
  • 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
  • Championing Customer Needs - Calls attention to issues that impact customer satisfaction; views thing from the perspective of customers; encourages people to think about customers when making decisions
  • Acquiring Information - Consults with others on problems and activities; collects information from a range of sources to assist and guide job activities; asks effective questions to obtain information to help him/her perform their job
  • Demonstrating Initiative - Takes action on his/her own without being prompted; handles problems independently; able to resolve issues without relying on extensive help from others; does more than is expected or asked
  • Supporting Coworkers - Responds positively to requests; helps others achieve their goals; considers how his/her actions will impact others; looks for ways to contribute to the team
  • Safety - Demonstrates “Safety First” in every activity; reports hazards and incidents promptly; fosters a culture of Safety, Service, Schedule with team interactions.

Travel

This position requires no travel.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) 

None

Preferred Education & Experience 

  • Valid drivers’ license
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • CPR/First-Aid Certification

Physical Demands 

Maximum occasional horizontal transfer, 50 lbs.; Maximum occasional floor to waist lift, 50 lbs.; Maximum occasional bilateral carry, 50 lbs. x 25 ft.; Maximum occasional horizontal push/pull, 50 lbs. of force x 100 ft.; Maximum frequent right/left grip, 50 lbs. of force; Maximum frequent right/left 2-point/3-point/lateral pinch, 5/10/15 lbs. of force; Constant forward/lateral reaching; Occasional sitting; Constant standing; Frequent walking; Occasional stair climbing; Occasional ladder climbing; Occasional squatting; Occasional crouching; Frequent to Constant bending; Occasional stooping; Frequent to Constant 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; work in high, precarious places; risk of electric shock; and extreme heat (non-weather), Occasional non-regular work hours, which may include nights and weekends. 

Metro Waste Authority

Metro Waste Authority (MWA) is an independent government agency comprised of 16 member communities, one county and six planning members. Established in 1969, MWA was designated to manage the landfill for the Polk County area after state law required all Iowa communities to properly dispose of their solid waste in a sanitary landfill. Now nationally recognized as a leader in environmental stewardship and cost-effective waste management, MWA operates five facilities, including the largest landfill in the state and serves more than 145,000 households. The annual operating budget is in excess of $25 million. Metro Waste Authority provides answers for safe and smart waste disposal and recycling. Whether it is garbage, recyclables, yard waste, hazardous waste or special waste, we know where it should go and have the resources to help. Serving Central Iowa, Metro Waste Authority manages Metro Park East Landfill, Metro Park West Landfill, Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off, Metro Compost Center, and Metro Transfer Station. We also provide recycling programs such as Curb It! and Compost It! for our member communities. A government agency, Metro Waste Authority is self-funded through fees charged to those who use the landfill and its other services; we do not receive tax dollars.
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