Refuse Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $49,721.15 - $74,217.52 Annually
Location : Del Norte Recycling & Transfer Station: 111 South Del Norte Blvd., Oxnard, 93036, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2090-PW-2608-RA
Department: PUBLIC WORKS
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
The City of Oxnard's Public Works Department, Environmental Resources Division, is seeking a skilled Refuse Driver with strong driving, safety, operational, and customer service abilities. The ideal candidate will have experience operating a variety of heavy commercial refuse and recycling collection vehicles, including automated side loaders, rear loaders, front end loaders, roll off trucks, transfer vehicles, container delivery trucks, and related solid waste equipment. A strong understanding of safe driving practices, route operations, vehicle systems, and the operational functions of refuse and recycling equipment is highly desirable.
This position performs a wide range of solid waste collection, transportation, transfer, recycling, organics, and disposal-related duties in support of residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal operations. Responsibilities include operating assigned vehicles and equipment safely and efficiently; servicing routes and customer locations; transporting materials to transfer stations, landfills, recycling facilities, or other designated disposal locations; completing vehicle inspections and operational documentation; and supporting the Division's commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, and high-quality customer service
WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Operate assigned refuse, recycling, organics, transfer, roll off, front end loader, rear loader, side loader, container delivery, and related heavy commercial vehicles in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with Department of Transportation (DOT), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), California Highway Patrol (CHP), and applicable local, state, and federal regulations, as well as City policies and departmental procedures.
• Perform residential, commercial, industrial, recycling, organics, bulky item, roll-off, and transfer collection activities and safely transport materials to designated disposal, processing, transfer, or recycling facilities.
• Conduct thorough pre-trip, post-trip, and daily vehicle inspections utilizing Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs), electronic inspection systems, and related documentation; identify and report vehicle defects, maintenance concerns, safety hazards, accidents, or equipment damage for corrective action.
• Safely operate hydraulic systems, packers, automated arms, winches, compactors, container handling equipment, tarping systems, and related collection and hauling equipment associated with solid waste operations.
• Navigate assigned routes utilizing route management software, onboard computer systems, GPS technology, cameras, tablets, radios, and related operational technologies to support efficient service delivery, route completion, communication, and documentation.
• Work closely with Supervisors, Route Checkers, dispatch staff, mechanics, and customer service personnel to improve operational efficiencies, address service issues, support route coverage, and ensure high quality customer service.
• Respond professionally and courteously to customer inquiries, complaints, and service requests; communicate operational concerns, blocked containers, contamination issues, inaccessible locations, missed pickups, damaged containers, safety concerns, or route related issues to supervisory staff.
• Position and return carts, bins, containers, and roll off boxes in a safe and proper manner to avoid property damage, traffic obstruction, pedestrian hazards, or unsafe conditions.
• Maintain assigned vehicles, equipment, and work areas in a clean, safe, and professional condition; ensure compliance with departmental safety standards and safe work practices.
• Completely service containers and customer locations and clean up spilled or loose debris resulting from collection activities.
• Notify supervisory staff immediately regarding accidents, injuries, vehicle damage, property damage, unsafe conditions, or incidents occurring during operations.
• Provide route coverage and operational support during staffing shortages, emergencies, special events, weather events, or other operational needs.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of Environmental Resources Division operations.

PAYROLL/CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Maintenance Technician, Senior
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This classification is distinguished from the Maintenance Technician in that it performs skilled maintenance and may serve in a lead capacity and/or provide training to others.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED / SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Incumbents may serve as lead workers, assigning work and monitoring work completion. Receives general supervision on routine items which are performed according to established standards and procedures and receives specific work instruction regarding non-routine matters and deadlines.
WORK SCHEDULE:
Work schedules may vary based on operational needs, service demands, staffing levels, emergencies, special events, and departmental assignments. This position primarily supports field operations that may begin during early morning hours and may regularly require Saturday work as part of the normal operational schedule. Work hours and shift assignments are subject to change based on operational requirements . This position may also be required to work evenings, holidays, and additional hours as necessary to support commercial, residential, and roll off/industrial collection operations, respond to operational issues, provide field coverage, and ensure continuity of service. The City does not offer hybrid or remote work. This position is covered by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is eligible for overtime compensation.
Essential Functions
This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department.

• Performs skilled general maintenance and operations activities in support of City departments or maintenance function; selects proper maintenance tools and equipment for assignment; performs work following established safety policies and procedures and applicable codes and regulations. May serve as lead worker by assigning work and monitoring work completion.
• Maintains assigned equipment and tools; performs general inspections to ensure safe operating conditions; establishes priorities; performs repairs and/or maintenance work; cleans equipment, site area or grounds and performs preventative maintenance.
• Operates assigned equipment; plans routes, work activities and sets up work areas for safety and operational efficiency; may set up traffic control measures.
• Responds to customer inquiries and concerns; maintains activity logs, records, work orders and related reports.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

POSITION SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES MIGHT INCLUDE:
Positions assigned to solid waste equipment operation may be responsible for:
• Collecting and transporting residential, commercial and industrial waste and recycled material along assigned routes;
• Unloading and disposing of material in appropriate landfill, disposal, transfer, mulching and/or recycling facility.
Minimum Qualifications
The following are the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:
EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma or GED

EXPERIENCE:

• Three (3) years of experience related to solid waste or collections.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid California Class B or Class A Commercial Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record
• Must possess a valid medical card
• Must possess an air brake endorsement with no restrictions
• Must have a safe and responsible professional driving history
• Additional certifications, licenses, endorsements and training may be required, depending on assignment. You may be required to submit documented proof of these requirements

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing

General Information
APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Submit NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line application.
• Complete and submit responses to the supplemental questions, if required.
• Upload resume, cover letter, proof of degree (transcript), or other requested documents.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.
The list of qualified candidates established from this recruitment is to fill this position only.
Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough background investigation.
UNION MEMBERSHIP: Positions in this classification are represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).
NOTE: For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.
Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.
This position requires a 12 month probationary period.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.
If a candidate accepts a conditional job offer with the City of Oxnard, any and all pending applications for active recruitments with the City of Oxnard will be withdrawn and no longer considered.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
The City of Oxnard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or sexual orientation.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodation for individuals/people with disabilities. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date. Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.
LEGAL REQUIREMENT:
On the first day of employment, new employees must provide proof of citizenship or documentation of legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended. The City participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Raul Almanza at raul.almanza@oxnard.org
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
Retirement Contributions:
New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2% @ 62; "Classic" members 2% @ 55. The employee will be required to pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement. The City of Oxnard does not participate in social security.
Vacation Time:
Full time employees accrue vacation time at a rate of 4.39 - 8.08 hours per pay period based on years of service.
Sick Time:
Full time employees accrue sick time at a rate of 3.70 hours per pay period.
Bilingual Pay:
A regular full time employee may receive bilingual pay at the rate of $50.00-$125.00 bi-weekly depending on the level the employee is required to provide bilingual services as determined by the City Manager or designee.
Educational Incentive:
For positions that do not require aBachelor's Degree, the City offers an educational incentive award of 2.5% for employees that complete 30 work-related college semester units above the minimum education requirements for the position.
Health and Dental:
Employees can choose from a variety of medical plans provided by the City. The City's contribution to medical coverage is outlined below:
Level One - For employees hired before January 1, 2023, the City contributes $1,543.00 per month toward medical insurance premiums and an additional $74.21 per month toward dental insurance premiums. Employees wi