Film Plastic Recycling Route Specialist​/Recycling Operator

Film Plastic Recycling Route Specialist/Recycling Operator

Otter Tail County is accepting applications for a full‑time Recycling Route Specialist/Recycling Operator. The purpose of this position is to perform a combination of tasks:

• Film Plastic Recycling Route Specialist: Collect agricultural plastic from farms, boat wrap from marinas, and other eligible plastic in Otter Tail, Todd and Wadena Counties. Utilize a packer truck to collect and deliver plastic to one of two baling hubs located in Sauk Centre or Detroit Lakes.
• Recycling Operator at the Recycling Center in Fergus Falls: Operate forklifts, skid steers, compactors, conveyors and other equipment.
• Recycling Route Specialist: Fill in for regular drivers on vacation/sick leave/holidays with scheduled route collections. May fill in at Transfer Stations, Household Hazardous Waste, etc.

Film Plastic Recycling Route Specialist

• Schedule collection of film plastic from collection sites.
• Use software and spreadsheets to track generation at each collection site and forecast future collection needs.
• Determine the most expedient route and times for pick up or delivery.
• Communicate directly with customers by phone, text, email and in person.
• Assist with education and training of customers regarding program requirements and methods of preparing materials for collection.
• Execute daily routes and schedules.
• Perform daily DOT vehicle inspection.
• Drive to designated locations with a front or rear load packer truck or other equipment and load material into the vehicle.
• Adjust the schedule according to weather conditions and amount of container usage.
• Adjust the schedule around holidays, vacations, and driver availability.
• Maintain a schedule to return to the Otter Tail County Recycling Center on time.
• Transport materials to a regional baling facility.
• Maintain a route record.
• Provide routine and minor maintenance for truck and dumpsters.
• Schedule major maintenance with program manager and order parts.
• Perform maintenance on dumpsters as needed.
• Report site related or contamination issues to program manager.
• Coordinate with solid waste supervisors in Todd and Wadena counties as needed.
• Communicate with baling facilities about delivery dates, times, and quantities.
• Operate recycling processing equipment including balers, crushers, conveyors, and sorters.

Recycling Operator Tasks

• Operate recycling equipment including balers, forklifts, skid steers, conveyors, and trucks (unloading trucks bringing in product and loading semi‑trucks with product destined for markets).
• Monitor equipment operation and report malfunction to appropriate supervisory personnel.
• Maintain and repair recycling equipment (checking and changing oil, anti‑freeze, greasing equipment and welding).
• Maintain inventory records for recyclable materials.
• Provide assistance for Redemption Operator by helping to remove full containers.
• May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.

Recycling Route Specialist Tasks

• Drive a straight hook truck with pup trailer or packer truck.
• Pick up and/or empty recycling containers.
• Track the usage of each container and the need for service.
• Identify the most expedient route and times for pick up or delivery.
• Plan and route service to commercial customers.
• Contact customer and determine frequency of service needed (monthly, biweekly, and weekly).
• Explain route policies and material requirements for the program.
• Assist with training of customers regarding methods of preparing materials for collection.
• Execute daily routes and schedules.
• Perform daily DOT vehicle inspection.
• Revise the schedule according to weather conditions and amount of container usage.
• Revise the schedule based on holidays, vacations, and driver availability.
• Transport materials to the Recycling Center and empty canisters or truck.
• Load bundles up to 150 lbs. into the truck.
• Pick up paperwork from satellite centers and patrons on behalf of office staff.
• Maintain a route record.
• Provide routine and minor maintenance for trucks, trailers, canisters, and dumpsters.
• Coordinate major maintenance with Recycling Manager.
• Perform maintenance on…