See a new garbage truck? Charlotte has hired help for its trashy problem
The unfamiliar trucks picking up garbage along Charlotte streets aren’t city workers, but don’t fret.
Waste Pro, the city’s multi-family collection contractor, is assisting with curbside garbage collection due to staffing challenges, city spokesman Cory Burkarth told The Charlotte Observer. The city is divided into five service collection days, and Waste Pro is assisting with all of those service areas, Burkarth said.
“Geographically, they are working in every part of the city that Solid Waste services,” he said. “Route assignments are given daily and subject to change.”
There are 20 vacancies for sanitation drivers, Burkarth said. The need for drivers induced the recent change, and the staffing shortage coincides with national labor market trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
The contract with the company is being evaluated monthly based on staffing needs, Burkarth said. The average monthly cost for Waste Pro’s services is $150,000, he said.
Applications are open
Even with jobs open, the city is continuing to see a decrease in applications for its vacant sanitation driver positions, Burkath said. The city has received 35 applications since its last job fair, according to Burkarth.
“To be honest, this number is more than it usually is due to the push of the open interviews, radio ads and social media,” he said. “Prior to the advertising, we were getting approximately seven applications per week.”
Pay starts at $20.49 per hour with a $1,000 sign-on bonus, the city said.
Sanitation drivers operate a rear-end loading sanitation vehicle. The vehicle collects residential waste, yard waste, business garbage and other related debris.
The application period is open and those interested can view the job posting and apply for the position at the city’s online employment center.
Solid Waste Services will host open interviews on April 26, May 10 and May 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1105 Otts St.
Applicants are encouraged to pre-apply before attending the open interview sessions and should expect to spend three hours on site, the city said.
This story was originally published April 12, 2022 at 2:14 PM.
