I started with Casella as a temporary worker, and a week later, I was filling out a permanent job application. When I graduated from the company’s CDL Training Program, I knew this was a place I wanted to build my career.
Driver Careers at Casella
At Casella, being a driver means more than being behind the wheel—it means making a real impact. Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, we value your contribution and are committed to helping you succeed. Our drivers move waste and recyclables throughout the region, supporting communities in recycling better, reducing waste, and building a more sustainable future. Your safety is our top priority, and we invest in state-of-the-art training and technology to protect and empower our team every step of the way.
Why Casella
Financial
Health Reimbursement and Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Pet Insurance, Employer Matching 401(k) Savings Plan, Employee Stock Purchase, and other employee discount programs.
Health & Wellness
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Telemedicine, Pharmacy Advocate Program, Advanced Surgical Care Network, Employee Assistance Plan, Wellness Incentives, Paid Time Off, Work-Life Balance, and much more.
Development
Tuition Assistance, On-the-Job Training, Apprenticeship Programs, Career Pathways, Industry Certifications, and other continuous learning options.
Recognition
Employee Service Awards, Employee Core Values Program, Safety Awards
Homegrown Dedication
Raised in the very community he now services, Casella driver Alex Gehl takes pride in navigating the same rural roads and tight-knit communities that shaped him in Seneca County, New York. With more than a decade of experience in the waste industry and eight years behind the wheel at Casella, Alex begins each day before sunrise, driven by a deep sense of purpose and pride. Known for his unwavering work ethic and dedication to safety, he exemplifies Casella’s Core Values in every mile he travels. While the job may be rooted in routine, Alex sees each day as a chance to build connections, deliver dependable service, and lead by example in the community he calls home.
Career Opportunities
Drivers
At Casella, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers. Our Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Truck Drivers are essential to the success of our mission to serve communities with safe, efficient, and courteous waste removal services. Operating rear load, front load, side load, and roll-off trucks, drivers navigate residential and commercial routes with professionalism and care, even in high-traffic situations or tight spaces.
What sets this role apart is your opportunity to grow: New team members can start as Apprentices and attend our CDL training program within their first year to become licensed drivers. From there, you can progress through clearly defined career levels—Class I, II, III, and Lead Driver—each offering new responsibilities and rewards. We’re looking for dependable, team-oriented individuals who are committed to delivering excellent customer service and making a positive impact in the communities we serve. Strong communication and problem-solving skills, as well as the willingness to learn and grow, are all keys to success in this role—and at Casella, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Heavy Equipment Operator
The Heavy Equipment Operator plays a vital role in supporting our landfills, transfer stations, materials recovery facilities, and organics operations across the company. This Operator ensures the safe and efficient usage of heavy equipment for such tasks as transferring, spreading, covering, loading, and compacting waste or soil. Operators work with a variety of machinery, including backhoes, forklifts, graders, tractors, and front-end loaders, while adhering strictly to safety protocols. We seek positive, team-oriented individuals with a strong work ethic, commitment to safety, and customer-focused mindset. Ideal candidates are open to ongoing training and development, driven by results, and capable of balancing attention to detail with an understanding of the bigger picture.
Join us and build a future where your skills and ambitions grow together. Start as an Apprentice, mastering the fundamentals of heavy equipment operation and safety. Advance to Operator I and Operator II, expanding your expertise across multiple machines and becoming a trusted resource in our operations. Aspire to become a Lead Operator, where you’ll mentor others, shape training programs, and lead with confidence. Every step forward brings new challenges, greater responsibility, and the chance to make a lasting impact.
On the last day of class, the trainees take their CDL Skills test, given by the Department of Motor Vehicles. After successfully completing this DMV test, the trainees receive their commercial driver's license. In 2023, the CDL school graduated nearly 100 students, with a 99% pass rate.
Requirements
CDL Permit with air brakes
State Department of Transportation Medical Certificate
Program Details
Lodging, travel, and meals are included.
Casella’s CDL Driver Training School provides debt-free training and opens the door to career advancement in the CDL Driver Career Path.
In February 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration mandated that all CDL applicants receive formal training from a federally licensed employer- or school-based program.
Testimonials
I chose Casella because they gave me an opportunity to get my CDL and work in a great-paying job. I love what I do. I know that I can build a career with Casella—it is a wonderful place to learn and grow.
Start with Casella – Retire with Casella
