Transfer Station Technician II

Position Summary

This recruitment is open continuous and those interested are encouraged to apply without delay. The first review date will be September 25th, 2026. Screening will be ongoing as applications are received.

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Metro’s Waste Prevention and Environmental Services (WPES) department is looking for a Transfer Station Technician II to join the team at the Metro South Transfer Station. Transfer Station Technician II employees perform a range of operational duties that help keep garbage and recycling services safe, efficient and reliable. In addition to performing Transfer Station Technician I duties, this position operates motorized equipment, supports tipping floor and material recovery activities, maintains equipment and assists with training other employees. This position is a good fit for someone with transfer station or related experience who is ready to take on additional equipment, training and operational responsibilities.

As a Transfer Station Technician II you will:

• Safely operate transfer station compactors and motorized equipment weighing less than 15,000 pounds, including forklifts and skid-steers.
• Perform the full range of duties of a Transfer Station Technician I, including supporting safe, clean and efficient transfer station operations.
• Assist with unloading vehicles, material recovery and other activities on the transfer station tipping floor.
• Maintain and care for motorized equipment, tools and other equipment used in daily operations.
• Monitor site conditions, identify safety hazards and take appropriate action to protect employees, customers and the public.
• Provide clear, professional customer service and information to commercial customers and members of the public.
• Follow safety procedures, standard operating procedures, emergency protocols and requirements for handling municipal solid waste and occasional hazardous materials.
• Assist supervisory staff with training Technician I employees in the safe operation of transfer station equipment after meeting applicable training and certification requirements.
• Develop additional heavy equipment operation skills through training and, when qualified, perform Heavy Equipment Operator duties in a training capacity.
• Work collaboratively with coworkers, supervisors, contractors and customers to maintain safe and effective daily operations.

Attributes for success

• Prioritizes safety and maintains strong situational awareness in a busy industrial environment.
• Operates heavy and motorized equipment carefully, efficiently and responsibly.
• Communicates clearly and respectfully with coworkers, customers, contractors, supervisors and the public.
• Provides helpful, professional customer service in a fast-paced public-facing environment.
• Works effectively as part of a team while also exercising sound judgment and initiative.
• Recognizes problems and changing conditions and takes appropriate action or seeks assistance when needed.
• Is dependable, accountable and committed to following through on assigned responsibilities.
• Learns new equipment, procedures and safety practices and applies training effectively.
• Can explain and demonstrate safe work practices and equipment operation to others.
• Brings a commitment to public service, cultural humility, teamwork, accountability, openness to change and effective communication.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Two (2) years of experience, with one (1) year experience directly related to transfer station operations or related field, or
• Any combination of experience, education and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential job duties.

Required qualifications

Must possess, be able to obtain, maintain or complete the following training, licenses, and certifications:

• Within one (1) year of hire:
  • Forklift certification
  • First Aid/CPR certification
  • Asbestos Awareness training
  • Bloodborne Pathogens training
  
  

• Ability to safely operate and work around motorized equipment, moving machinery and other hazards found in a transfer station environment.
• Ability to perform regular physical work, including standing, walking on uneven surfaces, bending, crouching, reaching, climbing and lifting up to 50 pounds, with occasional lifting of heavier objects.
• Ability to work primarily outdoors in varying weather conditions and around municipal solid waste, occasional hazardous materials, dust, dirt, traffic, noise and strong or unpleasant odors.
• Must be able to work the assigned schedule, which may include evenings, weekends and holidays, based on operational needs.

Working Conditions

This position works approximately 90% outdoors in a transfer station environment. Work involves regular standing, walking, bending, climbing, operating motorized equipment and lifting up to 50 pounds, with occasional lifting of objects weighing more than 50 pounds.

Employees may be exposed to temperature extremes, vibration, moving machinery, traffic, noise, dust, dirt, fumes, strong or unpleasant odors, municipal solid waste, occasional hazardous materials and other conditions associated with transfer station operations. Personal protective equipment is required as appropriate.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Previous experience operating forklifts, skid-steers, compactors or other heavy equipment.
• Previous experience in a transfer station, solid waste, recycling, materials recovery, industrial processing or similar high-hazard work environment.
• Experience working safely around moving equipment, heavy machinery, traffic and the public.
• Experience providing customer service in a busy public-facing environment.
• Experience training or providing guidance to coworkers on equipment operation or safe work practices.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments
• Reference check

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1: $26.44 to step 7: $35.42. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $26.44 to the equity range step 4: $30.60.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580 It is classified as a Transfer Station Technician II position. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Carrie Gundermann

Email: carrie.gundermann@oregonmetro.gov

Additional Information

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Non-discrimination In hiring decisions

Metro is committed to equal employment opportunity and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions – including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation – must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.

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Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.

As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.

Family members, including eligible spouses, domestic partners, and children, are covered under most of our benefits programs. Benefits vary depending on position and full-time, part-time, and variable hour status.

This is a budgeted, regular status position with a full-time schedule. The position is eligible for these benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision health insurance
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation, holiday, and other leave
• Paid parental leave
• Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement
• No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
• Employee Assistance Program
• Training opportunities
• Flexible schedules depending on position and department
• Hybrid/Telework living in Oregon /Washington depending on position and department

Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.

Learn more about employee benefits.

Some positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.
View union contracts here.