Solid Waste and Recycling Customer Service Representative

Solid Waste and Recycling Customer Service Representative

Salary

$52,894.40 - $68,764.80 Annually

Location

City Services Center- 500 15th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA

Job Type

Full-Time

Department

Utilities

Division

Solid Waste

Opening Date

05/26/2026

Closing Date

6/9/2026 11:59 PM Central

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NON_BARGAINING

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Join our team and help make a difference in the community every day! The City of Cedar Rapids is looking for a friendly, dependable, and customer-focused individual to service as our next Solid Waste & Recycling Customer Service Representative. This position plays an important role in supporting residents by answering questions, resolving service concerns, and helping ensure our solid waste and recycling operations run smoothly.

We are looking for someone who enjoys helping people, communicates clearly, and can stay organized in a fast-pace environment. If you are a positive team player who takes pride in providing excellent customer service, we encourage you to apply.

About our Organization

At the City, we are committed to employing individuals who reflect our community's diverse backgrounds, and this position is crucial in the success and strategic direction of a growing and evolving community. We appreciate and leverage the vast experience individuals bring beyond the technical requirements of a job. If you are an individual with similar experience listed here please consider applying. Experience and skills combined with commitment to our core values is key to building a greater community now and for the next generation.

About our Community

Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Cedar Rapids is our vibrant and diverse community known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Our city has a strong sense of community which can be seen at any of our numerous parks, recreational opportunities, and family-friendly events year round. You can also explore our thriving downtown district, filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, or take a stroll along the Cedar River, which runs through the heart of the city. Cedar Rapids - Why you should live here!

About this Opportunity

Assists in daily customer service activities, operations, and programs for Solid Waste and Recycling and other assigned areas.

The City of Cedar Rapids does not offer sponsorship for employment authorization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Primary point of contact for Solid Waste & Recycling inquiries, information requests, and distribution of extra garbage bag tags.
• Collaborates with peers and Utilities' leadership to support Solid Waste & Recycling programs and services.
• Facilitates tall grass and weeds, and snow violations including intake of complaints, correspondence to citizens in violation, work orders, invoices, and appeal requests.
• Works closely with staff to update and complete accurate field activity information.
• Utilizes multiple software programs; maintains customer records and information system data.
• Coordinates bulky item pick up schedules.
• Prepares Council agenda items and related items as necessary.
• Performs professional and confidential administrative duties.
• Utilizes information systems, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to answer inquiries.
• Coordinates travel arrangements for staff.
• Procures office and field supplies following City procedures.
• Prepares correspondence, reports, lists, and other documents.
• Gathers, assembles, updates, distributes, and/or files a variety of information, forms, records, and data as requested.
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent and one (1) to three (3) years' experience in a customer facing role including working with escalated customer issues,

OR,

• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience (i.e. one year of relevant full-time experience may substitute for one year of education)
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse populations

Required Licenses or Certifications

• None

Desired Qualifications

• At least six months of experience or technical training in specialized software including fleet routing, specialized billing, customer information, or call center coordination or related is highly preferred.
• Two years of post-secondary education in business administration, finance, or a related field, desired but not required.
• Experience in handling escalated customer issues

Supplemental Information

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

The City of Cedar Rapids is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All job applicants will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history).

Applicants with Disabilities

We respect and value people with disabilities and are committed to providing a workplace culture of disability inclusion. People with disabilities are supported during the hiring process and are encouraged to apply for employment with the City of Cedar Rapids. In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided to those in need of assistance with the application and interview process. To request an accommodation, contact the Citys Human Resources department by phone at 319-286-5000 or by email at hr@cedar-rapids.org.

We offer benefits and beyond for our employees and their families!

• Multiple health insurance plans administered by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield with low employee premiums, deductibles, and co-insurance (view our benefits summaries for more information: Choice Plan and Traditional Plan)
• Expansive Wellness Program and low cost onsite exercise facilities
• Dental Insurance with Delta Dental of Iowa
• 100% city paid basic life insurance
• Other voluntary benefits offered including vision, long-term disability, and supplemental life insurance
• IPERS Retirement - Iowa Public Employees Retirement System, with contributions of 6.29% employee/ 9.44% City (IPERS)
• Deferred Compensation (IRS Section 457) retirement programs
• Generous paid time off AND 11 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave program with 4 weeks of paid time off
• Annual salary increases, AND an annual across-the-board increase (determined by available budget)
• Longevity Pay for years of service
• Educational assistance up to $3,000 per year
• A culture that is supportive and committed to professional development opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employees may qualify for the PSLF program which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See more information here

01

(Auto Score) Which of the following best indicates your highest level of education?

• I do not have a High School diploma or GED
• High School diploma or GED
• Some college (at least the equivalent of 1 year)
• Associates degree or vocational equivalent
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree or higher

02

(Auto Score) How many years of experience do you have in customer service and handling escalated customer issues?

• Less than 1 year of experience
• At least 1 year of experience
• At least 3 years of experience
• At least 5 years of experience
• At least 7 years of experience
• At least 9 years of experience
• More than 10 years of experience

03

(Auto Score) What was your major or primary field of study?

• Business or Administration
• Other, related to Business or Administration
• Other major
• no degree

04

(Auto Scoring) Which of the following best describes your proficiency with Microsoft Office?

• Beginner - Able to perform basic tasks such as creating simple documents, entering data, sending emails, and using basic formatting.
• Intermediate - Comfortable with day-to-day use, including formatting documents, using basic formulas in Excel (e.g., SUM, AVERAGE), managing calendars, and creating standard presentations.
• Proficient - Regularly uses Microsoft Office in a professional setting; able to create complex documents, use intermediate Excel functions (e.g., IF statements), and manage data efficiently.
• Advanced - Highly skilled; able to use advanced Excel functions (e.g., VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis tools), automate tasks, create polished reports/presentations, and troubleshoot issues.
• Expert - Deep expertise across multiple Office applications; designs complex spreadsheets and reporting tools, uses advanced automation (e.g., macros), and may train or support others.

05

Do you have experience with or technical training in specialized software including fleet routing, specialized billing, customer information, or call center coordination?

• No Experience
• Less than a year of experience
• 1 year of experience
• More than a year of experience

06

Please describe your experience with Customer Service and handling Administrative duties.

07

Please describe your ability to work collaboratively with diverse populations.

Required Question

Employer City of Cedar Rapids

Address 101 1st Street SE

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52401

Phone 319-286-5000

Website http://www.cedar-rapids.org/