Front Door Waste Technician-Cortland at the Village

Cortland is one of the largest vertically integrated multifamily operators in the country, and they run their communities with a level of operational discipline that filters all the way down to the site level. This Front Door Waste Technician role at Cortland at the Village is a ground-level position in the most literal sense, and it's also one of the more resident-facing jobs on any property team.

The core of the work is valet trash service. Each shift, you'll walk assigned routes through the community, collecting waste bags left outside resident doors, loading them into leak-proof carts, and transferring everything to onsite compactors or containers. You're also keeping common areas clean: dog waste stations, pool decks, mail kiosks, parking lots, and compactor pads all fall within your scope. Routes include stairs, and the job requires consistent physical output, so this isn't a role where pace varies much from day to day.

Beyond the physical work, there's a reporting component that matters. You'll log start and end times, document your route with photos, and submit everything through a mobile app. Cortland tracks productivity at the community level, so completing your route efficiently and accurately isn't optional. If you spot improper waste or safety hazards, you're expected to flag them and take appropriate action, not just walk past.

Resident interaction is part of the job too. You're on the property during evening and early morning hours when residents are home, and how you carry yourself in those moments reflects on the community. Professionalism and consistent communication with both residents and site staff are genuine expectations here, not filler language.

What this role requires

• High school diploma or equivalent (preferred)
• At least one year in waste services or a customer-facing role
• Working knowledge of EPA and OSHA safety standards related to waste handling
• Physical ability to climb stairs, walk extended distances, and lift up to 50 lbs
• Comfort working outdoors in all weather conditions, including exposure to strong odors
• Valid Class E driver's license for local driving as needed
• Personal smartphone (Android 2.2 or higher, or iPhone iOS 4.3 or higher) with an active data plan for route documentation
• Bilingual ability is a plus

What separates strong candidates in this role isn't just physical capability. It's reliability and attention to detail. Valet trash services live and die on consistency. Residents notice immediately when a bag is skipped or a compactor area is left messy. If you show up on time, complete your route thoroughly, and communicate clearly when something is off, you'll stand out on any Cortland property. That kind of dependability also opens doors to broader porter and maintenance roles within the company over time.