Refuse Collector

Career Opportunities at DAWSON

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Position Title: Refuse Collector

Location: Fort Hood, Texas

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, generally 0700–1600, with collection schedule adjustments based on operational needs, temperature, route requirements, and contract direction.

Reports To: Recycling Specialist / Site Lead

Position Type: On-site


This is an SCA-covered position and includes applicable health and welfare/fringe benefits in accordance with the wage determination.


Position Summary


DAWSON is seeking a Refuse Collector to support compost material collection services at Fort Hood, Texas. This position will be responsible for collecting food waste from designated facilities, transporting collected material to the Fort Hood Compost Facility, supporting manure and woody debris collection, weighing and documenting collected materials, cleaning and sanitizing the collection vehicle, and assisting with container maintenance and facility operations.


The Refuse Collector will perform scheduled collection routes and support safe, sanitary, and reliable diversion of compostable materials from the landfill. The PWS requires food waste pickup from 30 facilities, generally two days per week with a three-day separation between pickups, and three times per week when ambient temperatures exceed 80°F.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate a contractor-provided collection vehicle to pick up food waste from designated facilities on Fort Hood.


• Complete scheduled food waste collection routes serving approximately 30 facilities.


• Conduct pickups two days per week with required spacing between pickup days, and increase to three times per week when ambient temperatures exceed 80°F, as required.


• Transport collected food waste to the designated receiving area at the Fort Hood Compost Facility.


• Collect manure from the designated horse stable area three times per week and transport/store it appropriately at the compost facility.


• Support pickup and movement of woody debris, yard waste, chipped wood debris, or other compostable materials in cantonment and training areas when assigned.


• Weigh and document collected food waste, manure, wood waste, yard waste, and other compostable materials entering the facility.


• Record tonnage and collection information accurately for use in monthly compost reports.


• Inspect collected materials and containers for contamination, unauthorized waste, leaks, odors, or unsafe conditions.


• Report contamination, non-compliance, damaged containers, missed pickups, route issues, or facility concerns to the Recycling Specialist / Site Lead.


• Set aside or flag containers with excessive contamination in accordance with site procedures.


• Clean and sanitize the collection truck after each route to ensure it is free of food waste debris.


• Conduct daily and preventive maintenance inspections of assigned collection vehicle.


• Report vehicle maintenance concerns, safety hazards, spills, odors, or sanitation issues promptly.


• Assist with placement, movement, cleaning, lining, and replacement of 64-gallon food waste containers.


• Support unloading, staging, and transfer of collected materials at the compost facility.


• Assist with general compost facility support, housekeeping, material handling, and cleanup when collection duties are complete.


• Follow all site safety procedures, traffic rules, sanitation procedures, PPE requirements, and installation access requirements.


• Coordinate daily route status, collection issues, and operational needs with the Recycling Specialist / Site Lead.


• Perform other compost facility support duties as assigned by the Recycling Specialist / Site Lead.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.


• Experience operating collection vehicles, service vehicles, box trucks, dump trucks, refuse trucks, utility vehicles, or similar vehicles.


• Ability to safely drive and maneuver vehicles in facility, cantonment, and service route environments.


• Ability to perform route-based work, follow schedules, and complete daily documentation.


• Ability to lift, push, pull, and maneuver food waste containers and related materials.


• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and around food waste, compostable materials, odors, and sanitation-related conditions.


• Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record.


• Ability to pass installation access, background, badging, or position-of-trust requirements, as applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in refuse collection, recycling collection, compost collection, route driving, grounds maintenance, sanitation, or solid waste operations.


• CDL or ability to obtain CDL, if required by the collection vehicle selected for the project.


• Experience conducting vehicle inspections and basic preventive maintenance checks.


• Experience using truck scales, route logs, tablets, paper logs, or other field documentation tools.


• Prior experience working on a military installation or under a government contract.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold, rain, dust, odors, and other field conditions.


• Ability to enter and exit vehicles repeatedly during daily routes.


• Ability to lift, push, pull, and maneuver loaded or partially loaded containers.


• Ability to bend, reach, grip, climb, walk, and stand for extended periods.


• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and follow sanitation procedures.

DAWSON is an Equal Opportunity/VEVRAA federal contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


DAWSON offers a best-in-class benefits program including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) program with employer match; paid vacation and sick leave; employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; and a flexible work environment. Additionally, employees can choose from several voluntary benefits including critical illness coverage; accident insurance; identity theft coverage; pet insurance, and more.


DAWSON gives preference to internal candidates. If no internal candidate meets our qualifications, external candidates will be given consideration.