Laborer I (Recycling Center)

Requires successful post-offer completion of a background investigation, physical exam, and drug test (including marijuana/THC) as a condition of employment with the City of Joplin.

Primary Purpose

A recycling drop-off attendant manages site operations by greeting customers, assisting with unloading, and ensuring materials are correctly sorted into bins. Key duties include monitoring contamination, maintaining site cleanliness (sweeping, litter removal), educating the public on recycling guidelines, and following safety protocols. Performs unskilled and semi-skilled labor of routine difficulty, semi-skilled landscaping & grounds maintenance, and similar duties.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be 18 years of age at time of employment. 

Education: High School diploma or GED equivalent is preferred but not required. 

Experience: No specific work experience required; some experience performing manual labor, including use of power tools and equipment, is required. Ideal candidate will have forklift experience.

Licenses and Certifications: Possess and maintain a valid state issued driver’s license.

Schedule

Wednesday/Friday/Saturday: 8 AM - 4 PM

Tuesday/Thursday: 10 AM to 6 PM

Sunday/Monday: Closed

Essential Job Functions

Customer Service & Assistance: Greeting residents, guiding them to appropriate drop-off spots, and helping unload heavy or bulky items.

Sorting & Material Inspection: Inspecting incoming materials for contamination (non-recyclables) and ensuring correct separation of plastics, glass, metals, and paper.

Site Maintenance: Keeping the recycling yard clean by sweeping, picking up litter, and managing containers/bins. 

Equipment Operation: Handling machinery for moving. (forklift) 

Safety & Compliance: Following safety regulations and wearing appropriate PPE. 

Administrative Tasks: Logging weekly pick-ups, tracking materials, and potentially processing payments (if a redemption center). 

Physical Demands, Requirements, and Working Conditions

This position works in an outdoor environment. Must possess mobility to work outside as well as inside City facilities, to operate a fork truck/forklift vehicle and various motor vehicles to drive on facility grounds and city streets; strength, stamina and mobility to perform light to heavy physical work in confined spaces; operate a variety of hand and power tools and equipment; vision to read printed manuals, materials, and work instructions; hearing and speech to communicate in-person and over the telephone and radio. Finger dexterity is needed to safely operate equipment and tools. The position requires walking, climbing, standing, reaching, twisting, squatting, pushing, and pulling for long periods of time. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, and reach while operating tools and equipment and completing tasks at ground level and overhead. Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 100 pounds or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment. Depending on assignment, exposure to herbicides and insecticides may be required. Work assignments require exposure to a variety of extreme weather conditions, exposed to loud noise levels, fumes and odors; may work in cramped spaces and conditions with poor lighting and ventilation; susceptible to mechanical hazards associated with equipment and other hazards due to working in and around traffic and public.