Scalehouse Technician

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. 

The Metro South Transfer Station within the Waste Prevention and Environmental Services (WPES) Department is looking for a Scalehouse Technician to work with a supportive team at a drive-up window to greet customers, weigh vehicles, and collect payment from commercial drivers and residents who are dropping off garbage, yard debris, food waste, and recycling at one of Metro’s disposal sites in Oregon City, Oregon. You will also provide garbage and recycling information to customers and help to support Metro’s regulations on solid waste disposal.

This job is ideal for someone who is a people person and enjoys providing great customer service, likes a busy workday, is committed to equitable service delivery, and who would enjoy informing and educating customers about waste disposal services, requirements, and options. People selected for this job will work at Metro South Transfer Station at 2001 Washington Street in Oregon City.

The Scalehouse Technician role is an essential part of Metro’s work to manage the region’s solid waste – also known as garbage and recycling. Metro’s Waste Prevention and Environmental Services department (WPES) meets this responsibility in part by processing some of the region’s garbage and recycling.

WPES is committed to leading with equity in everything we do. We are guided by the 2030 Regional Waste Plan (Download PDF reader), which focuses on advancing racial equity, reducing the environmental and health impacts of products, maintaining and improving our garbage and recycling system, and rectifying the historic and ongoing inequities of that system on communities of color and others in our region.

To learn about Metro’s Transfer Stations, click to view this virtual video tour of Metro Central where you’ll see vehicles drive up to the Scalehouse and be weighed. If you’d like to see what happens to customers’ garbage and recycling after they leave the Scalehouse, you can watch this live video feed of another team processing trash and this video that shows how another team processes hazardous waste.

As the Scalehouse Technician you will

• Receive training in Scalehouse systems and procedures 
• Greet customers at the drive-up Scalehouse window
• Weigh vehicles that are delivering solid waste to the site using a computerized scaling system
• Calculate waste drop-off fees based on Metro policy
• Perform cashiering duties using a computerized point of sale system, including collecting fees, processing cash and credit card payments, and issuing change and receipts to customers
• Provide information to customers or other employees about Metro’s policies on recycling, uncovered waste loads, and special waste fees and procedures
• Collect information from customers and enter it in the computerized scaling system to ensure accurate billing and record-keeping. This information may include the size of their garbage load, the types of material they are dropping off (by codes) and the volume of waste they are bringing in.
• Communicate to traffic team via radio any relevant information or instructions about customers as they pass through the scales
• Record information about special materials, new commercial vehicles, special waste permits, account numbers and daily deposits. Prepare reports and distribute this information as needed.
• Prepare daily deposit and reports summarizing daily shift activity and fee collection; Collect other data and prepare special reports as requested
• Be responsible for holding keys to the Scalehouse and other access points
• Be responsible and able to open/close the Scalehouse for specific shifts, including initiating and stopping automation programs, checking supplies, prepping workspaces, securing access points
• Ensure the Scalehouse is adequately stocked with supplies
• Complete paperwork associated with ordering and receiving Scalehouse supplies 
• Establish, maintain, and revise physical and electronic filing systems as needed

 Attributes for success

• Ability to establish respectful, effective working relationships with other employees and the public 
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Ability to provide high-quality customer service to a wide variety of customers, including those who may be frustrated or upset
• Ability to remain calm and productive in busy or stressful situations 
• Ability to operate two Scalehouse windows at the same time during busy times 
• Good math skills and the ability to calculate/estimate quickly 
• Ability to make accurate change and balance cash
• Ability to operate a point-of-sale/cash register, adding machine, calculator, copy machine, and other general office equipment 
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn software specific to Scalehouse operations
• Ability to maintain electronic and physical records according to established procedures 
• Comfortable working at a drive-up window in all types of weather

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 Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

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 G.E.D. and
• One year experience in a position requiring extensive interaction with the public; or
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Working Conditions 

Scalehouse Technicians work in in a small, kiosk-type building called a Scalehouse. The Scalehouse has drive-up windows, and Technicians are exposed to all types of weather at the open drive-up windows when serving customers. At the Scalehouse, technicians serve customers in a wide variety of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and garbage vehicles. The environment can be loud and at times may smell of vehicle exhaust and garbage. Uniform clothing and any required protective equipment are provided. This position requires frequent or continuous standing, stretching, reaching, sitting, bending, grasping, repetitive motion of the hands/wrists, handling and good general hearing.  It may also require walking and repetitive motions of the feet, kneeling and lifting up to 35 pounds or carrying up to 15 pounds.

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.

• Customer Service experience in a retail, restaurant, or business/industrial setting.
• Experience taking processing customer payments, including cash and credit cards in a retail, restaurant, or business/industrial setting.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, Russian, or other language commonly spoken in the region. 
• Experience with the region’s garbage and recycling system. 

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
• Responses to supplemental questions  

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 (if applicable)
• Reference check 
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1. $22.67 to step 7. $30.39. 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. $22.67 to the equity range step 4. $ 26.25. 

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580. It is classified as a Scalehouse Technician classification.

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

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.

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.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.   

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. 

Salary : $23 - $30