Environmental Service Worker I (Landfill Operations)

Posting Expires: 5/26/2026

Salary Range: $39,370.24- $49,212.80

General Description and Classification Standards

Performs a wide variety of environmental services, grounds maintenance, sanitation, and landfill operational support activities to maintain and enhance the cleanliness, safety, and beautification of the City of Atlanta. Duties may include, but are not limited to: garbage and recycling collection; litter and debris removal; landscaping and grounds maintenance; transfer station and landfill support operations; operation of hand tools, power tools, and heavy equipment; and general maintenance activities.

Work may involve operating equipment in controlled landfill and transfer station environments, including tractor mowers, loaders, compactors, scales, and other landfill-specific equipment utilized in waste management and disposal operations. Employees may also assist with traffic flow, customer interaction, waste screening, contamination monitoring, and accurate documentation/reporting associated with landfill and transfer station activities.

This is the entry level for this job family. Individuals entering this level must possess basic knowledge of environmental services work and demonstrate the physical capabilities, motor skills, dependability, and initiative necessary to safely complete assigned tasks in both field and operational environments.

Typically performs the simplest pertinent tasks, assists higher-level workers with more complex assignments, prepares and stores tools and equipment, and supports overall team operations to ensure efficient service delivery.

Supervision Received

Works under general supervision, typically as part of a work crew or operational team, with responsibility for the timely completion of assigned tasks and proactive support of departmental operations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. May perform other duties as assigned.

• Performs general lawn care, landscaping, beautification, and maintenance for assigned areas; mows and trims grass; removes clippings, leaves, litter, and debris from public spaces using hand and power tools including lawnmowers, weed eaters, blowers, chainsaws, pruners, and related equipment.
• Performs grounds and right-of-way maintenance activities; sweeps, rakes, blows, and removes litter, debris, bulk trash, illegal dumping, and illegal signage from streets, sidewalks, parks, public properties, natural lands, and other assigned areas.
• Performs waste and recycling collection activities along established routes through residential, commercial, industrial, and public service areas.
• Assists with landfill and transfer station operations in a controlled waste management environment, including directing traffic, screening materials, maintaining site cleanliness, monitoring for contamination, and supporting safe disposal activities.
• Operates and assists with various types of equipment utilized in environmental services and landfill operations, including tractor mowers, loaders, compactors, street cleaning equipment, and other specialized landfill or grounds maintenance equipment.
• Operates transfer station scale systems and maintains accurate transaction records, reports, logs, and operational documentation using computer systems and related technology.
• Maintains vehicles, tools, and equipment in safe operating condition; performs pre- and post-operation inspections and reports defective equipment or unsafe conditions.
• Completes assigned tasks efficiently and proactively identifies additional operational or maintenance needs within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Works collaboratively with supervisors, coworkers, contractors, and the public to support safe, effective, and professional operations.

Decision Making

Follows standardized procedures, operational guidelines, safety practices, and written instructions to complete assigned tasks and support daily operations.

Leadership Provided

None. May assist in guiding temporary, seasonal, or contract workers as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list.

Knowledge of:

• Tools, equipment, practices, and techniques related to landscaping, environmental services, sanitation, landfill operations, and grounds maintenance
• Safe operating practices for equipment and vehicles
• Basic arithmetic and recordkeeping practices

Skill in:

• Performing landscaping, environmental services, and landfill operational support work
• Operating hand tools, power tools, and light to medium equipment safely and efficiently
• Maintaining accurate records, completing reports, and utilizing computer systems and technology applications
• Working effectively within a team environment and maintaining positive working relationships
• Identifying operational needs and proactively completing assigned and supplemental tasks

Ability to:

• Operate radios, scales, computers, and related operational technology
• Safely work in outdoor, landfill, transfer station, and public service environments under varying weather conditions
• Follow safety procedures and work effectively as part of a crew or operational team

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
1 year of related experience in environmental services, landscaping, sanitation, grounds maintenance, landfill operations, equipment operation, or a related field.

Preferred Education & Experience

High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and 2 years of related experience in environmental services, landfill operations, transfer station operations, sanitation, equipment operation, or grounds maintenance.

Experience operating landfill, sanitation, or grounds maintenance equipment is preferred.

Licensures and Certifications

Valid Georgia Driver’s License

Essential Capabilities and Work Environment

Required physical, lifting, and sensory capabilities are requirements to perform the job successfully. Typical environmental conditions associated with the job include outdoor work, exposure to varying weather conditions, landfill and transfer station environments, noise, dust, debris, odors, and moving equipment.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to safely get on and off heavy equipment
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and perform physically demanding work for extended periods
• Ability to safely work around heavy equipment, waste materials, traffic, and active operational environments