Are you passionate about protecting the environment? Do you enjoy working independently outdoors and helping others? If so, Keep Knoxville Beautiful (KKB) wants you on our team.

For nearly 50 years, KKB has been at the forefront of making Knox County cleaner, greener, and more beautiful. We are looking for reliable, motivated, and people-friendly Recycling Attendants to manage our city drop-off centers. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to be the front-line hero of sustainability in Knoxville.

Why This Role Matters?

As a Recycling Attendant, you are the face of KKB for thousands of residents. You will:

• Educate the public on how to recycle correctly, turning confusion into confidence.

• Prevent contamination, ensuring that our recycling efforts actually make it to the processing plant.

• Keep our city clean by maintaining safe, organized, and accessible facilities.

You will play a critical part in helping Knoxville reach its waste diversion goals, one conversation and one bin at a time.

What You’ll Do

• Empower the Community: Greet residents with a smile, answer questions, and guide them to the correct containers.

• Protect the Program: Remove non-recyclable materials and educate visitors on best practices to keep our bins clean.

• Maintain the Site: Sweep, organize, and ensure the facility is safe and welcoming.

• Stay Vigilant: Keep a daily log and report any issues to ensure smooth operations.

Who We’re Looking For

This role is ideal for someone who thrives outdoors and has a “can-do” attitude. The right person is:

• A Self-Starter: You are comfortable working solo for up to 8-hour shifts and don’t need constant supervision to get the job done.

• Physically Ready: You can stand, walk, stoop, and lift up to 40 pounds in various weather conditions (sun, rain, or heat).

• A People Person: You enjoy interacting with the public and have the patience to explain recycling rules clearly and kindly.

• An Environmental Advocate: You genuinely care about reducing waste and making Knoxville a better place.

ready to make a difference?

If you are looking for a role where your work has a visible, positive impact on the environment and your community, we want to hear from you.

To apply, please send your resume and a brief note about why you’re the right fit for this position to shannett@keepknoxvillebeautiful.org.

Keep Knoxville Beautiful is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Updated: 8/28/2026