Hazardous Waste Specialist Job Specification

🎯 Role Definition

The Hazardous Waste Specialist is a cornerstone of an organization's Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) program. This role is fundamentally responsible for ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient management of all hazardous and regulated waste streams generated on-site. The specialist acts as the subject matter expert, meticulously overseeing the entire lifecycle of hazardous materials—from initial generation and characterization to final transportation and disposal. This position requires a proactive, detail-oriented professional who can navigate complex federal, state, and local regulations (like RCRA and DOT) to mitigate risk, protect the environment, and ensure the safety of all personnel. Success in this role directly contributes to the organization's operational integrity and its commitment to environmental stewardship.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Environmental Technician
Laboratory Technician / Lab Pack Chemist
Safety Coordinator
EHS Intern / Co-op

Advancement To:

Senior Hazardous Waste Specialist / Team Lead
Environmental Manager
EHS Program Manager
Corporate Waste Management Director

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Compliance Specialist
Industrial Hygienist
Safety Specialist
DOT Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute the day-to-day operations of the facility's hazardous waste management program, ensuring full compliance with EPA, RCRA, DOT, and state-specific environmental regulations.
Perform meticulous characterization and classification of unknown chemical waste streams through process knowledge, safety data sheet (SDS) review, and, when necessary, coordination of analytical testing.
Ensure proper segregation, containerization, and accurate labeling of all hazardous, universal, and non-hazardous wastes at satellite accumulation areas (SAAs) and central accumulation areas (CAAs).
Conduct and document routine (e.g., weekly, monthly) inspections of all waste storage areas, emergency equipment, and container integrity, initiating corrective actions immediately for any deficiencies found.
Prepare, review for accuracy, and sign all required shipping documents, including hazardous waste manifests, land disposal restriction (LDR) notices, and bills of lading.
Manage the inventory of hazardous waste containers, tracking accumulation start dates to ensure strict adherence to regulatory time limits for on-site storage.
Coordinate the logistics for waste shipments, including scheduling pickups with approved third-party transportation, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) and overseeing the loading process.
Maintain a comprehensive and audit-ready system of records, including waste profiles, manifests, inspection logs, training records, and biennial reports.
Serve as a primary point of contact for regulatory agency inspections (e.g., EPA, state DEQ) and internal EHS audits, providing documentation and knowledgeable answers.
Develop and maintain waste profiles for all recurring and new waste streams, ensuring they are accurate and approved by the receiving disposal facility.
Manage the "empty" container program to ensure containers are properly managed and triple-rinsed or decontaminated in accordance with regulatory standards before being repurposed or discarded.
Act as a technical resource for laboratory, production, and maintenance personnel, providing guidance on proper waste disposal procedures and pollution prevention techniques.
Respond to and assist in the cleanup of chemical spills, providing technical expertise on containment, neutralization, and proper disposal of cleanup materials.
Oversee the procurement and inventory management of necessary supplies for the waste management program, including compliant containers, labels, spill kits, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Calculate and compile data for required environmental reporting, such as biennial hazardous waste reports, TRI (Toxic Release Inventory) reports, and waste generation summaries.
Provide on-the-job training and formal classroom instruction to facility personnel on hazardous waste identification, handling, emergency procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to waste generation trends, cost analysis, and sustainability metrics.
Contribute to the organization's broader EHS strategy and roadmap by identifying opportunities for waste minimization, pollution prevention, and recycling.
Collaborate with engineering and research units to translate new processes or chemical needs into compliant waste management plans and requirements.
Participate in sprint planning, safety committee meetings, and other agile or team-based ceremonies to ensure EHS is integrated into all operational facets.
Assist in reviewing and updating site-specific EHS policies, procedures, and the facility’s Contingency Plan.
Conduct risk assessments for new chemical introductions to proactively determine potential waste management challenges and solutions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Regulatory Expertise: Deep working knowledge of EPA/RCRA (40 CFR), DOT (49 CFR), and applicable state/local environmental regulations for hazardous waste.
Chemical Characterization: Ability to accurately classify and profile waste streams based on chemical properties, hazards, and regulatory definitions.
HAZWOPER Certification: Current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification is required, with an 8-hour annual refresher.
Manifesting & Documentation: Proficiency in completing and managing Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifests, LDRs, and other shipping paperwork with a high degree of accuracy.
Chemical Compatibility: Strong understanding of chemical segregation principles to prevent adverse reactions in storage and consolidation.
Spill Response: Trained in emergency response procedures for chemical spills, including the use of spill kits and appropriate PPE.
Waste Tracking Software: Experience using environmental management information systems (EMIS) or proprietary software for tracking waste inventory and generating reports.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough approach to documentation, labeling, and inspections is non-negotiable.
Problem-Solving: Ability to critically assess non-compliant situations, identify root causes, and implement effective and sustainable corrective actions.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to clearly convey complex regulatory requirements to a diverse audience, from scientists to facility staff to regulators.
Autonomy & Initiative: Proven ability to work independently, manage one's own schedule, and proactively identify areas for improvement without constant supervision.
Interpersonal Skills: A collaborative and approachable demeanor for working effectively with internal teams, external vendors, and regulatory agents.
Integrity: A strong ethical compass and unwavering commitment to safety, compliance, and environmental protection.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in a scientific or technical field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in a relevant field is a plus. Certifications such as Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) are highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Science
Chemistry
Chemical Engineering
Biology
Industrial Hygiene
Environmental Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of direct, hands-on experience in a hazardous waste management role, preferably within a manufacturing, industrial, pharmaceutical, or university research setting.

Preferred:

5+ years of experience demonstrating progressive responsibility, including experience leading compliance projects, training others, and directly interacting with regulatory agencies.