Question
2-5

Utility Worker

2/25/2026

The Utility Worker performs routine facility maintenance, operates various equipment outdoors in different weather conditions, and manages traffic flow for waste disposal at landfill and compost centers. Essential duties include cleaning debris, performing light/medium equipment maintenance, and executing metal fabrication tasks like welding and torching.

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

51-200 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

No

About The Company
Metro Waste Authority (MWA) is an independent government agency comprised of 16 member communities, one county and six planning members. Established in 1969, MWA was designated to manage the landfill for the Polk County area after state law required all Iowa communities to properly dispose of their solid waste in a sanitary landfill. Now nationally recognized as a leader in environmental stewardship and cost-effective waste management, MWA operates five facilities, including the largest landfill in the state and serves more than 145,000 households. The annual operating budget is in excess of $25 million. Metro Waste Authority provides answers for safe and smart waste disposal and recycling. Whether it is garbage, recyclables, yard waste, hazardous waste or special waste, we know where it should go and have the resources to help. Serving Central Iowa, Metro Waste Authority manages Metro Park East Landfill, Metro Park West Landfill, Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off, Metro Compost Center, and Metro Transfer Station. We also provide recycling programs such as Curb It! and Compost It! for our member communities. A government agency, Metro Waste Authority is self-funded through fees charged to those who use the landfill and its other services; we do not receive tax dollars.
About the Role

Description

Position Summary 

The Utility Worker performs routine facility maintenance work and operates a variety of equipment to maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work environment across Metro Waste Authority facilities. This role works primarily outdoors in varying weather conditions and must be knowledgeable in light and medium equipment operation, occupational hazards, and standard safety practices.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Establishes traffic flow and rotation for commercial, residential, and private haulers in the disposal of solid waste materials at the landfill, compost center, and small vehicle areas.
  • Cleans up debris and litter by means of physical labor, gives related training and work instruction to light utility workers, and operates specialized equipment used in litter control.
  • Uses basic shop tools such as grinders, drill press, compressor, impact wrench, floor jacks, and related tools in the maintenance of the worksite and equipment. 
  • Lubricates, maintains, and makes minor mechanical repairs to equipment, and uses basic carpentry tools to maintain and repair equipment/buildings.
  • Operates farm tractors, lawn care equipment, boom lifts, water tanker, UTV, mini excavator, mini loader, roll-off truck, skid loader, street sweeper, forklift and other common implements such as soil disk, harrow, seeder, post hole drill, snowplow, sander, and related equipment to maintain the site. Performs lifting and carrying of objects, digging, shoveling, pushing, pulling, prying, dragging, loading, and unloading.
  • Maintains buildings, grounds, and premises of the physical facility to ensure the workplace is tidy, clean, and safe.
  • Performs routine highway inspections and clean up to ensure litter is picked up.
  • Adheres to requirements specific to recordkeeping including litter logs, magnet logs, and other tracking requirements. 
  • Performs metal fabrication including Welding, torching, and plasma cutting.
  • Provides courteous external and internal customer service according to MWA Customer Service standards.


Environmental Stewardship – Demonstrates an understanding of Metro Waste Authority’s Environmental Management System (EMS). Guided by the EMS processes and procedures, we focus on six main areas aimed at increasing diversion and/or protecting the environment. These include:

  • Recycling
  • Household Hazardous Waste Collection
  • Organics Management
  • Water Quality Improvement
  • Greenhouse Gas Reduction
  • Environmental Education

  

MWA Values - Demonstrates an understanding of Metro Waste Authority’s values and applies them to the position, and assigned responsibilities, as well as to all interactions with customers and co-workers.

  • Leadership – Set the example because everyone is a leader!
  • Integrity – Always do what is right!
  • Positivity – Bring our best to every task, every day and bring out the best in your colleagues!
  • Teamwork – Collaborate because we know that together we will address opportunities and challenges!
  • Innovation – Forge a new path and evolve!


Behavioral Competencies 

  • Communicating Effectively - Expresses ideas and information in a clear and concise manner; tailors message to fit the interests and needs of the audience; delivers information in a manner that is interesting and compelling to the listener
  • Coordinating Project Activities - Communicates project goals, timelines, and milestones; lets people know what they need to accomplish; identifies project interdependencies and potential resource constraints; follows up with others to ensure they are on track to meet project goals
  • Following Policies and Procedures - Understands and follows company policies; encourages others to follow work rules; calls attention to actions that may violate policies and procedures.
  • Learning Quickly - Quickly comprehends new problems and situations; needs very little time to learn and master new processes or tools; able to figure things out as he/she goes along.
  • Performs Physical/Mechanical Tasks - Uses his/her hands effectively; able to perform tasks that require a high level of manual dexterity; able to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time; adept at working with machinery.
  • Safety - Demonstrates “Safety First” in every activity; reports hazards and incidents promptly; fosters a culture of Safety, Service, Schedule with team interactions.
  • Serving Customers - Builds strong relationships with customers; stays aware of customer needs, concerns and satisfaction; responds promptly to customer questions and requests; effectively manages customer expectations


Travel

  • This position requires occasional travel to support other MWA facilities.


Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

  • Valid driver’s license
  • 2-4 years’ previous experience in general labor, groundskeeping, light equipment operation, or related work. 
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
  • Basic recordkeeping or documentation skills
  • Familiarity with safety protocols and PPE usage


Preferred Education & Experience 

  • Previous welding experience
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Class A CDL with air brake endorsement 


Physical Demands 

Maximum occasional floor to waist lift, 75 lbs.; Maximum occasional above shoulder lifting , 75 lbs.; Maximum occasional bilateral or preferred carry, 75 lbs..; Maximum occasional horizontal push/pull, 125 lbs. of force; Maximum occasional vertical push/pull, 125 lbs. of force; Maximum occasional right/left grip, 85 lbs. of force; Maximum frequent right/left 2-point/3-point/lateral pinch, 10/15/25 lbs. of force; Constant forward/lateral reaching; Occasional above shoulder reaching; Frequent sitting; Occasional to frequent standing; Occasional to frequent walking; Occasional stair climbing; Occasional ladder/equipment climbing; Occasional to frequent squatting; Occasional to frequent crouching; Occasional to Frequent kneeling; Occasional to frequent bending; Occasional to frequent stooping; Occasional to frequent twisting.


Work Environment 

Work is performed in an environment with undesirable conditions: exposure to extreme heat and cold, odors, noise, dust, fumes, moving parts, electrical shock, burns and toxic agents. Occupational hazards such as those generally associated with ongoing exposure to moving machinery/equipment leading to cuts, bruises, burns, strains, back injuries, and potentially more serious injuries.

Key Skills
Equipment OperationFacility MaintenanceTraffic Flow ManagementLitter ControlBasic Tool UsageMinor Mechanical RepairCarpentryWeldingTorchingPlasma CuttingRecordkeepingCustomer ServiceSafety PracticesPhysical LaborEnvironmental StewardshipTeamwork
Categories
TradesEnvironmental & SustainabilityTransportationManufacturingLogistics
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