Working for the City of Tacoma is more than a job – it is a daily opportunity to leave our community better than we found it. In the Environmental Services Department, everything we do creates a better Tacoma by promoting healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound. It is why we exist. We are committed to partnering with our community, fostering a great employee culture, and continuing to improve our award-winning operations with a clear focus on safety. We are looking for employees who embrace and live by our shared core values and commit to our shared purpose of making a difference in our community and creating a sense of purpose.

The City of Tacoma Environmental Services Department, Solid Waste Management Division, is seeking highly motivated people from all walks of life that are devoted to public service to join our team in providing exceptional service to the citizens of Tacoma.

This is an entry-level position and we will train the successful candidate(s) who are selected for the position. Solid Waste Workers are generally hired to perform a variety of customer service and manual labor tasks in support of the Solid Waste Management Division. Some of these tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Removing prohibited materials from the waste stream,
• Sweeping and shoveling various materials to maintain a clean workspace
• Maintaining and delivering solid waste containers
• Emptying solid waste containers on collection routes and lifting, moving, loading furniture items and debris

Candidates should enjoy working both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather. This is a great opportunity to join the City of Tacoma and acquire valuable training and work experience.

Solid Waste Workers can be hired as full-time, part-time, project and/or as temporary employees. This recruitment will be used to fill any vacancies that may occur in the Solid Waste Management Division for the period of one year.

Our ideal candidate will possess the following competencies:

• Instills Trust: gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Decision Quality: makes good and timely decisions.
• Action-oriented: takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Communicates effectively: delivers communication orally and in writing that conveys a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Handles conflict situations effectively.
• Customer focus – builds strong customer relationships and delivers customer- centric solutions.
• Safety: makes safety a core value in all work that is performed.
• Manages Conflict: handles conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Interpersonal Savvy: relates openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Resourcefulness: secures and deploys resources effectively and efficiently.
• Situational Adaptability: adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Tacoma, the City of Destiny, has a workforce of dedicated, talented employees with unique skills and perspectives. We embrace innovation and strive for excellence and community engagement. The Principles that Guide Us, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Equity , speak to the values that we embody as City of Tacoma employees, and represent the core of our work in public service.

Examples of job duties and responsibilities:

• Place solid waste containers in the field, including loading containers, stenciling numbers and delivering.
• Assist in maintenance of landscape areas.
• Assist with the yard waste collection program (includes curbside pick-up of yard waste).
• Spot check random loads of solid waste for hazardous waste and other undesirable material.
• Recover recyclable material from the waste stream.
• Assist with the cleaning of heavy equipment and other Solid Waste Management vehicles such as trucks, cars, and pickups.
• Assist in the monitoring, maintenance and repair of the methane gas control system and groundwater extraction/treatment system.
• Conduct clean-up and other maintenance activities at various locations throughout the facility.
• Provide traffic control at various locations throughout the City of Tacoma's Recovery and Transfer Center.
• Perform related duties as required.
• Repair and maintain plastic and metal solid waste containers. This includes painting containers when required.
• Assist with the maintenance of drainage systems throughout the facility.
• Provide relief for breaks, vacation and sick leave at the Scale-house, when necessary.
• Operate motor vehicles, sweepers and other small equipment, when required.
• Assist with various components of Solid Waste Management's Recycling and Hazardous Waste programs and facility operations
• Monitor customer activity to help ensure their safety.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Proper methods of directing traffic for safe and orderly disposal of solid waste
• Appropriate methods of disposing of solid waste in a safe manner
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy

SKILLS:

• Advise and instruct the public where and when to dispose solid waste
• Operate a variety of tools, equipment, and machinery such as hoses, shovels, brooms, high pressure washer, small drills, etc.
• Learn applicable laws, regulations, and procedures
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Direct traffic in a safe and orderly manner
• Walk and stand for extended periods of time
• Use respiratory and chemical protective equipment without restrictions
• Perform heavy manual labor, lifting heavy objects, and material
• Operate a motor vehicle in a safe, legal, and defensive manner
• Maintain disposal area in a safe, clean and orderly condition
• Maintain a cooperative and courteous attitude with the public

• Vision care with VSP for employees and eligible dependents enrolled in the Regence PPO medical plan with vision benefits.
• Paid holidays.
• Medical coverage for eligible employees, spouses and dependents, including children up to age 26.
• Personal time off.
• Outstanding working conditions and an exceptional quality-of-life environment.
• Deferred compensation allowing tax-deferred savings as authorized under Section 457 of the IRS Code.
• Dental coverage for eligible employees and their elected dependents, including dependent children up to the age of 26.
• A great pension plan.

Our City:
With a population of over 220,000, Tacoma is the second largest city in the Puget Sound region, gracing the shores of Commencement Bay. We are a diverse, progressive, international city that serves as a gateway to the Pacific Rim and the rest of the world. Named one of the most livable areas in the country by Livability.com, Tacoma and the surrounding area is a playground for outdoor and maritime enthusiasts. Our businesses are vibrant, our parks are beautiful, and our schools are exceptional.

When you work for the City of Tacoma, you'll have an opportunity to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible schedules (with some job classifications), continuing education programs, leadership pathways, wellness incentives and a total rewards benefits program. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny:

http://www.cityoftacoma.org/
http://www.traveltacoma.com/

The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

QUESTION 1

The Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination process; accordingly, it should be completed carefully. It must be submitted with your application. Do not indicate "see resume" or copy unrelated content from your resume when answering these questions. Answer all information requested in each question. Failure to do so may result in rejection of your application. Questions 7-17 are a part of the Experience & Training Test. Applicants must attain a passing score in order to be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration. I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

QUESTION 2

Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

QUESTION 3

Will you have a Washington State driver license by the first day on the job if you are offered this position?

QUESTION 4

Check the boxes for all of the types of employment you are willing to accept if offered a position:

QUESTION 5

Do you have experience working in customer service or interacting with the public? If no type N/A, if yes, please describe your experience.

QUESTION 6

This role will require communicating with community members and many colleagues. What is your approach to understanding the perspectives of colleagues and the community from different backgrounds?

QUESTION 7

A customer is frustrated or unhappy. The best way to help the customer is to:

QUESTION 8

Which of the following is not always applicable to customer service:

QUESTION 9

Customer service requires empathy. Which statement is most true about empathy?

QUESTION 10

How can you best assess a customer's problem in order to solve it?

QUESTION 11

In customer service, what is one potential benefit of taking ownership of a problem?

QUESTION 12

What is the most impactful thing you can do to prevent negative customer emotions?

QUESTION 13

A teammate shares a boundary with you. What will more than likely happen if you cross this boundary?

QUESTION 14

You are having a conflict with a team member. What is the most effective approach you can take to improve the situation?

QUESTION 15

Why is rapport an essential customer service skill?

QUESTION 16

A customer is frustrated with the service they have received. They have requested to speak to your supervisor who is unavailable. Select the response to the customer:

QUESTION 17

A customer who speaks limited English needs your assistance. Select the best approach to overcome a language barrier in customer service:

QUESTION 18

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

QUESTION 19

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

QUESTION 20

If you are a military veteran, did you remember to upload a copy of your DDForm 214, Member 4 copy, for review for Veteran's Preference eligibility?

* Required Question