While Cooper makes the collection of solid waste bins look easy, it’s actually a practiced skill. That’s the part I like best about the job.” I have some on my route that wait for me, and they stand there and wave. Normally, after I put a trash bin down after dumping it, I’ll pull up a bit and operate the arm and grabber without the can, so they get a basic idea of how it works. “They make me happy when I’m working a route because they’ll stand at the window, and they are amazed at what I’m doing. Her favorite part of the job is interacting with the public. “We pay for the training, and they get paid while going through the CDL course,” said spokeswoman Kim Lee.įor Cooper, the rewards go beyond a steady paycheck.
#Your chronicle equipment license#
Newport News is offering to put people through the CDL training to obtain the license through an approved vendor. Interested parties don’t need to come to the table with a CDL. They are looking for equipment operators to drive a variety of vehicles including dump trucks, front-end loaders, hydro seeders, knuckleboom trucks, excavators, dozers, rollers, sweepers, trucks with trailers, and backhoes.
#Your chronicle equipment drivers#
In fact, the City of Newport News is currently seeking Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) drivers in several of their departments, including Public Works, Waterworks, and Parks, Recreation and Tourism. This means the window of opportunity is wide open for anyone who wants to take advantage of it. “Can you do the job, do it well, and provide the service we need?” “What matters is, are you a good driver? Can you do the job? Those are the things that are more important to us,” said Davis. What I’m doing now is more consistent, and I’m getting 40 hours a week.”Īccording to Amy Davis, who is the administrator of the Newport News Solid Waste Division, gender no longer plays a role in positions that were previously dominated by men. “A lot of school bus drivers don’t get 40 hours a week and they sometimes have to go without pay during the summer, depending on how their contract is set up. “I figured if I could drive a bus, I could drive just about anything else,” said Cooper. What got her interested in driving Solid Waste trucks versus school buses? She has been driving for both Newport News and Hampton for more than 21 years-previously as a school bus driver, and now as a master equipment operator with Newport News Public Works Solid Waste division. Rosalind Cooper is one of those pioneers. This is certainly true in Newport News, where seven of the city’s 33 equipment operators are females who are changing the face of Public Works. NEWPORT NEWS-Women are playing more prominent roles today in what have been traditionally considered men’s jobs.
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