Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hazardous Waste Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

The Hazardous Waste Analyst is a critical environmental stewardship role responsible for ensuring the organization's safe, compliant, and efficient management of hazardous waste. This position serves as the subject matter expert on complex federal, state, and local waste regulations (including RCRA, DOT, and EPA guidelines). The analyst meticulously oversees the entire lifecycle of hazardous materials, from characterization and segregation at the point of generation to final disposal. By combining hands-on fieldwork with rigorous data analysis and reporting, the Hazardous Waste Analyst protects the company from regulatory risk, minimizes environmental impact, and promotes a culture of safety and sustainability.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Environmental Technician
Lab Chemist or Technician
EHS Coordinator

Advancement To:

Senior Hazardous Waste Specialist or Manager
Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Manager
Corporate Environmental Compliance Manager

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Scientist
Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct detailed analysis and characterization of all facility waste streams to accurately determine their hazardous properties and assign the appropriate EPA waste codes for compliant management.
Oversee the complete lifecycle of hazardous waste management, from initial generation and accumulation to final disposal, ensuring full compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
Prepare, review, and manage all required shipping documentation, including Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifests, Land Disposal Restriction (LDR) notifications, and Bills of Lading, ensuring 100% accuracy.
Perform regular, rigorous compliance inspections of satellite accumulation areas (SAAs) and central accumulation areas (CAAs) to identify and correct potential non-compliance issues and safety hazards.
Develop and deliver comprehensive hazardous waste management and emergency response training (per RCRA and DOT requirements) for all relevant personnel to ensure competency and awareness.
Serve as a primary point of contact and technical expert during regulatory agency inspections, audits, and inquiries from bodies such as the EPA and state environmental departments.
Meticulously maintain a comprehensive and audit-ready record-keeping system for all hazardous waste activities, including generation logs, inspection reports, training records, and disposal certificates.
Coordinate with and oversee third-party hazardous waste transportation, storage, and disposal facility (TSDF) vendors, ensuring their services meet contractual, safety, and regulatory standards.
Analyze waste generation data to identify trends and opportunities for source reduction, developing strategic waste minimization and pollution prevention (P2) plans to reduce costs and environmental footprint.
Act as a technical advisor and coordinator during hazardous material spills or releases, guiding containment and cleanup efforts and ensuring all required internal and external reporting is completed properly.
Proactively monitor, interpret, and analyze upcoming and existing changes in environmental regulations (RCRA, DOT, EPCRA) to assess their impact on company operations and update compliance strategies accordingly.
Compile data and prepare all mandatory environmental reports, such as the Biennial Hazardous Waste Report and SARA Title III (Tier II) reports, ensuring timely and accurate submission.
Meticulously classify hazardous materials for transport according to Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, including selecting proper shipping names, hazard classes, and packing groups.
Ensure the proper labeling, marking, and condition of all hazardous waste containers in accordance with strict RCRA and DOT requirements before they are offered for shipment.
Supervise the consolidation and packaging of various hazardous waste streams, including the preparation of lab packs, to ensure safe transport and cost-effective disposal.
Conduct periodic compliance audits and evaluations of third-party treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) to verify their operational integrity and minimize company liability.
Author, review, and maintain site-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for hazardous waste handling, container management, storage, and emergency preparedness.
Implement and manage a robust tracking system to monitor the movement of hazardous waste from the point of generation to final disposal, ensuring a closed-loop chain of custody.
Perform cost-benefit analysis for various waste treatment and disposal options and assist in developing and managing the annual budget for the hazardous waste program.
Coordinate and perform the collection of environmental samples (e.g., waste, soil, water) for laboratory analysis, ensuring proper sampling techniques and chain-of-custody protocols are followed.

Secondary Functions

Research and evaluate emerging waste treatment technologies and sustainable disposal alternatives to enhance environmental performance and reduce long-term liability.
Actively participate in broader Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) committee meetings and support cross-functional initiatives related to workplace safety and environmental stewardship.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to waste generation and compliance metrics.
Contribute to the organization's broader environmental data strategy and sustainability roadmap.
Collaborate with engineering and operations units to translate waste reduction goals into practical process requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies if working within a data-centric environmental team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

RCRA Regulations: Deep, expert-level knowledge of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act for hazardous waste management.
DOT Hazmat Regulations: Proficiency in 49 CFR regulations for the classification, packaging, and transportation of hazardous materials.
Waste Characterization & Profiling: Ability to analyze process knowledge, analytical data, and SDSs to accurately classify waste streams.
Environmental Reporting: Experience preparing and submitting regulatory reports like the Biennial Report, Tier II, and TRI.
Hazardous Waste Manifesting: Meticulous skill in preparing and managing the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest system.
Chemical Hazard Assessment: Strong ability to interpret Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and technical data to evaluate chemical risks.
Environmental Management Systems (EMS): Familiarity with ISO 14001 principles and continuous improvement frameworks.
Environmental Auditing: Skill in conducting internal and external audits against regulatory and company standards.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Proficiency in using tools like Microsoft Excel to track, analyze, and visualize waste data and compliance trends.
Waste Minimization & P2 Planning: Ability to identify and implement practical pollution prevention and waste reduction strategies.
Emergency Response Coordination: Knowledge of hazardous material spill response, containment, and reporting procedures.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: An unwavering focus on accuracy is essential for ensuring compliance and safety in all documentation and procedures.
Regulatory Interpretation: The ability to read, understand, and apply complex legal and technical regulatory language to real-world situations.
Problem-Solving: A methodical and analytical approach to identifying the root cause of compliance issues and developing effective solutions.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: The ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences, from facility workers to senior management and regulators.
Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and vendor relationships simultaneously.
Adaptability: Flexibility to respond to changing regulations, operational needs, and unexpected events like spills or inspections.
Integrity: A strong ethical compass and commitment to upholding environmental laws and company policies without compromise.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a relevant scientific or engineering field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Science or Management
Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
Biology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of direct experience in hazardous waste management, environmental compliance, or a closely related role.

Preferred:

Experience in a specific sector such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or consulting.
Professional certifications such as Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), 40-hour HAZWOPER, or DOT Hazmat Transportation certification are highly desirable.