Solid Waste Equipment Operator II

Salary: $56,475.33 - $72,855.12 Annually
Location : Mesa, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 16316
Department: (H320)Solid Waste
Opening Date: 01/09/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description/Duties
First review of applications will be on Monday, January 26, 2026, and weekly thereafter.
Looking for a job in a positive work environment with competitive pay and benefits? Look no further!
About Mesa
Located in the southeast part of the Phoenix metro area, Mesa is a city on the move. For years, Mesa has been one of the fastest growing cities in the country and is currently ranked 37th largest in the United States, and third largest in Arizona.
In fact, more than 517,000 people call Mesa home because of the community's overall quality of life. The City provides the advantages of a thriving metropolis while maintaining a suburban feel. This unique balance makes Mesa the City of choice for professionals, families, students, and industry.
About Pay & Benefits
The City of Mesa offers competitive pay with great city benefits, including a dedicated Employee Health and Wellness Center, generous health insurance options for employees and their families, vacation and sick leave, multiple retirement options (pension, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, and Roth Plan), and a rotating 4-day work week with stand-by and overtime pay available during regular days off and holidays.
About the Department & Culture
The Solid Waste Department strives to exceed customer expectations through teamwork and best practices. Our culture strives to improve the quality of life for Mesa residents, businesses, and visitors by providing excellent customer service in a safe, timely, and professional manner. Our public purpose is to protect public health and the environment by ensuring the sanitary handling of solid waste to keep our community clean, safe, and welcoming. The City of Mesa is looking for enthusiastic skilled workers wanting to make an impact in a team environment. This position is a key component toward achieving Mesa Climate Action Plan Aspirational Goals.
About the Position
The Solid Waste Equipment Operator II position is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of an Automated Side-load (ASL), Commercial Front Load (FL), and Commercial Rolloff (RO) Equipment by assignment. Incumbents perform tasks related to the collection, transportation, and disposal of refuse and recyclables and have a direct impact on the quality of life for Mesa residents, businesses, and visitors.

A Solid Waste Equipment Operator II is a journey-level classification responsible for the safe, efficient operation and care of moderately complex heavy solid waste equipment. Incumbents perform tasks related to the collection, transportation, and disposal of refuse and recyclables. Incumbents operate various equipment requiring considerable skill and coordination to manipulate such as a front loader, automated side loader, roll-off, and rear loader, in addition to lighter equipment such as the bin truck or other related equipment which may be listed in the Solid Waste Equipment Operator I classification. Solid Waste Equipment Operator II's are expected to operate the assigned equipment using defensive driving techniques in accordance with policy, procedure, and training guidelines; understand the collection schedule; accurately read and follow a route map/list; interact with customers with respect and integrity; accomplish all assigned tasks at a demonstrated level of proficiency; and adhere to safety guidelines/regulations, including all personal protective equipment requirements. Employees have responsibility for the safety of coworkers while equipment operation is being performed. Allocation to this class establishes the operation of moderately complex heavy equipment as the primary function of the position. However, when not operating equipment, an employee in this class is expected to take the initiative in assisting in the manual and technical aspects of the construction, maintenance, and repair activities. These assignments involve public contact, working near traffic and above ground utility lines, exposure to hazardous chemicals, confined space entry, and heavy physical exertion under all weather conditions. This class is subject to call-out and stand-by; and must be willing to work weekends, holidays, and overtime as required. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.

The Solid Waste Equipment Operator I class is distinguished from the Solid Waste Equipment Operator II by the latter's higher degree of skill required to operate moderately complex heavy solid waste equipment and the greater consequences of error and exposure.

A Solid Waste Equipment Operator II is distinguished from the Solid Waste Equipment Operator III by the latter's higher degree of skill required to operate multiple types of the most complex equipment available with the greatest consequence of error and exposure.

Duties require initiative and independent judgment in the care and operation of complex heavy equipment, as well as mechanical aptitude and skillful coordination of eye, hand, and foot movements. Importance is attached to the fact that the equipment requires constant attention to protect it from damage and to perform work effectively. Work is typically performed independently without immediate supervision. Supervision is received from a foreman or supervisor who reviews incumbents' work through on-site observation of work in progress and completed projects. Employees may progress to this class from Solid Waste Equipment Operator I (Collections Assignment) by noncompetitive promotion upon meeting the specific criteria-based promotion requirements of experience, performance, and training. Employees may also progress to the Solid Waste Equipment Operator III assignment class by noncompetitive, criteria-based promotion after successful completion of required certifications, on-the-job training, achievement of satisfactory performance appraisals, and successful completion of initial City probation. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Please refer to the link below for the full job description and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.

Qualifications & Requirements
Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or GED. Three years full-time employment operating heavy vehicles and/or construction equipment. One year of full-time employment with the City of Mesa as a Solid Waste Equipment Operator I within the Solid Waste Department may be substituted for three years of full-time employment operating heavy vehicles and/or construction equipment.

Special Requirements. Must possess a valid Arizona Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with no air brake restriction and valid medical examiner's certificate by hire or promotion date.

Substance Abuse Testing. This class is subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) drug and alcohol testing as outlined in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 382.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. Experience operating solid waste equipment such as front loader, automated side loader, roll-off, or rear loader.

Link to Job Description
A is linked here.
01

Did you receive a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of full-time experience do you have operating heavy vehicles and/or construction equipment? Please detail your experience on your application.

• None
• Some but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more

03

Please detail the type of heavy vehicles and/or construction equipment you have operated, including employer(s). Please also detail this experience on your application. If none, type N/A.
04

Do you have one (1) year of full-time employment with the City of Mesa as a Solid Waste Equipment Operator I within the Solid Waste Department? If yes, please detail this experience on your application.

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have or will you be able to obtain a valid Arizona Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with no air brake restriction and valid medical examiner's certificate by hire or promotion date?

• Yes
• No

06

Please detail your experience operating solid waste equipment, such as front loaders, automated side loaders, roll-offs, or rear loaders. Please include years' operating, types of equipment, and all of your employers. If none, type N/A.
Required Question