Join the City of Chattanooga Team

Chattanooga, a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future—famously powered by the nation’s first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network. The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City,” the first of its kind in the United States.

Our Organization

As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately 2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:

Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
Quality of Life: Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.
Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.
Innovation: Leading-edge smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.

Why Choose Chattanooga?

The City of Chattanooga’s workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees. .
Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground: Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it. As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim. Whether you are an
adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.
Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.

In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.

Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you’d like to call Chattanooga home – or maybe you already do! – and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we’d love to talk to you.

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Salary: $18.09 - $21.85 Hourly (GS.05N)

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*

Work Location: Paul F. Clark Building

FLSA Status: This is a Non-Exempt position.

Department: Public Works - Solid Waste

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:
The Refuse & Recycling Center Attendant performs routine operational duties at City-operated recycling and refuse convenience centers. Responsibilities include assisting residents with proper disposal of refuse and recyclable materials, monitoring site activity to ensure compliance with City guidelines, maintaining site cleanliness and safety, and providing basic customer service and education to the public. Incumbents work under general supervision and follow established policies and procedures.

SERIES LEVEL:
The Refuse & Recycling Center Attendant is a stand-alone position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

Assists residents with the proper disposal of refuse, recyclables, and other accepted materials in accordance with City policies and procedures.

Monitors incoming loads to ensure materials are placed in the correct containers and prevents contamination of recycling streams.

Provides clear and courteous instructions to the public regarding acceptable and prohibited materials.

Maintains cleanliness and organization of the recycling and refuse center, including litter control and general housekeeping.

Observes site conditions and reports safety hazards, equipment issues, prohibited dumping, or rule violations to supervisors.

Enforces basic site rules and regulations in a professional and customer-service-oriented manner.

Assists with opening and closing procedures, including visual inspections of the site and containers.

Works outdoors in varying weather conditions while performing assigned duties.

Supports other Solid Waste operations as assigned.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):
None

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Diploma or GED preferred, but not required or any combination of equivalent experience and education.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Valid Driver’s License

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of basic solid waste and recycling practices; site safety procedures; customer service principles; applicable City rules and guidelines related to recycling and refuse disposal. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions; communicating effectively with the public; identifying improper disposal; maintaining a safe and orderly work environment; working cooperatively with coworkers and supervisors; basic problem recognition and reporting.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, work space restrictions, intense noises, and travel.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: NO
Child Sensitive: NO
Dept of Transportation (CDL): NO

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check, drug screening and lift test.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

KNV 7/01/2026

260545 - KS/JC

Refuse & Recycling Center Attendant

About this role