Solid Waste and Recycling Driver Collector I

The City of Cedar Rapids is hiring a Solid Waste and Recycling Laborer Extra Driver to join our Public Utilities team. In this vital role, you'll support daily waste and recycling collection—keeping our city clean, sustainable, and running smoothly. As a City employee, you'll enjoy excellent benefits, including generous paid time off, top-tier health insurance, IPERS retirement, and career advancement opportunities within one of Iowa's largest and most innovative public utilities.

If you're dependable, safety-minded, and enjoy working outdoors while making a positive impact in your community, apply today and make a difference

About our Organization

At the City, we are committed to employing individuals who reflect our community's diverse backgrounds and this position is crucial in the success and strategic direction of a growing and evolving community. We appreciate and leverage the vast experience individuals bring beyond the technical requirements of a job. If you are an individual with similar experience listed here please consider applying. Experience and skills combined with commitment to our core values is key to building a greater community now and for the next generation.

About our Community

Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Cedar Rapids is our vibrant and diverse community known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Our city has a strong sense of community which can be seen at any of our numerous parks, recreational opportunities, and family-friendly events year round. You can also explore our thriving downtown district, filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, or take a stroll along the Cedar River, which runs through the heart of the city. Cedar Rapids - Why you should live here

About this Opportunity

Provides general labor in carrying out Department operations including the collection and disposal of either solid waste or recycling on a City-wide basis. Works under immediate to general supervision. Work is prescribed, but there is some latitude for independent judgment in carrying out routing activities.

The City of Cedar Rapids does not offer sponsorship for employment authorization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Drives and loads collection truck in the daily pickup of solid waste, yard waste or recycling;
• Picks up and sweeps up spilled garbage, debris, litter or recyclables and places in truck;
• Operates mechanisms for loading and unloading of garbage or recycling truck;
• Ensures that garbage and yard waste are collected separately;
• Ensures that only the designated recyclable materials are collected from recycling containers;
• Drives loaded truck to either the landfill, compost site, recycling facility or transfer station;
• Provides front line public relations activities by interacting with residential customers and staff in a professional manner;
• Ensures proper maintenance of garbage, yard waste, or recycling truck: conducts daily circle checks, reports minor or major mechanical problems to section mechanics via operator's circle check/squawk sheet, maintains all fluid levels as required, drives garbage, yard waste, or recycling truck into garage and cleans garbage/yard waste truck after completion of daily route and recycling truck as required;
• Maintains records of tagged garbage, yard waste or recycling and submits records to office daily;
• Adheres to all (OSHA) Occupational Safety Health Administration Rules and Regulations including the wearing of all designated safety equipment required by the City of Cedar Rapids Department of Solid Waste and Recycling;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City, State and Federal policies, procedures and safety practices;
• Attends work regularly at the designated place and time;
• Supports continuous process improvement initiatives;
• Performs related work as required.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from High School or GED, and
• A minimum of one year of experience driving a CDL vehicle required,
• Experience with use of automated garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection trucks required,
• Experience driving garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection routes required,
• Experience picking up or delivering items preferred; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Required Special Qualifications

• Iowa Commercial Driver's License (Class B) with air brake endorsements and valid Medical Examiners Certificate.

Work Schedule

• M-F 6:30am-2:30pm

New Hire

1 year

2 years

3 years

$24.77

$27.40

$28.97

$30.51

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

The City of Cedar Rapids is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All job applicants will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history).

Applicants with Disabilities

We respect and value people with disabilities and are committed to providing a workplace culture of disability inclusion. People with disabilities are supported during the hiring process and are encouraged to apply for employment with the City of Cedar Rapids. In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided to those in need of assistance with the application and interview process. To request an accommodation, contact the City's Human Resources department by phone at or by email at -

We offer benefits and beyond for our employees and their families

The City of Cedar Rapids provides outstanding pay, benefits, time off, including:

• Medical co-insurance for participating providers of 90% plan / 10% employee
• Competitive pay
• Iowa Public Employee's Retirement Pension plans (IPERS) with a 9.44% City contribution and 6.29% employee contribution
• 457 deferred compensation employer match program (City will match up to 0.05% of your annual income each calendar year—learn more here.)
• Flexible Spending (Health Care and Dependent Care Accounts- learn more here)
• An average of 11 paid holidays per year
• Up to $3,000 per year in educational assistance
• 4 weeks of paid parental leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness – (The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See more info here. )
• Annual pay increases
• Fiscal year pay increases as determined by bargaining contract
• Employees are eligible for longevity pay after 5 years of continuous service
• 100% City paid basic life insurance
• Dental, vision, long-term disability, and supplemental life insurance
• View our Bargaining Benefits Summaries
• Expansive job growth opportunities
• Commitment to professional development
• Private health & wellness coaching partnerships