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waste coordinator

title: Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Waste Coordinator
salary: $45,000 - $65,000
categories: [Environmental Services, Waste Management, Operations, Compliance]
description: A comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities, required technical skills and professional background for the role of a Waste Coordinator.
Comprehensive, recruiter-style breakdown of the Waste Coordinator role: responsibilities, measurable tasks, regulatory and operational skills (RCRA, DOT, EPA, hazardous/non-hazardous waste handling), career progression, education and experience. SEO-optimized for "Waste Coordinator", "waste management", "hazardous waste compliance", and "waste coordinator responsibilities".

🎯 Role Definition

As a Waste Coordinator you will own the day-to-day coordination of solid and hazardous waste streams across facilities, contractors, and transporters to ensure safe, compliant, and cost-effective handling, disposal, and recycling. This role focuses on regulatory compliance (RCRA, DOT, EPA), manifest and chain-of-custody management, contractor oversight, route and pickup scheduling, waste minimization and diversion initiatives, and stakeholder communication. Ideal candidates combine operational experience, strong recordkeeping skills, and the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical site-level procedures.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Waste Technician / Waste Handler with 1–3 years of site experience
  • Environmental Technician / EHS Technician supporting waste operations
  • Logistics Coordinator or Facilities Coordinator with exposure to vendor management

Advancement To:

  • Waste Management Supervisor / Waste Operations Manager
  • Environmental Compliance Manager / EHS Manager
  • Sustainability Manager or Program Lead for Recycling & Diversion

Lateral Moves:

  • Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Coordinator
  • Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist
  • Recycling Program Manager or Sustainability Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Coordinate and manage daily scheduling and logistics for collection, transportation, recycling, treatment, and disposal of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams to meet operational needs and legal requirements.
  • Maintain accurate manifesting and chain-of-custody documentation for hazardous waste shipments, ensuring DOT and EPA manifest requirements are completed, signed, and retained according to regulations and company policy.
  • Ensure facility storage areas and satellite accumulation points meet regulatory standards for labeling, segregation, containment, and secondary containment, conducting regular inspections and corrective actions as needed.
  • Prepare, review, and submit required regulatory reports and notifications (e.g., biennial hazardous waste reports, EPA notifications, state regulatory filings) and support audits by regulators and third-party auditors.
  • Oversee, select, and manage third-party waste vendors and transporters: solicit bids, manage contracts, monitor performance, verify insurance and permits, and audit vendor manifests and invoices for accuracy.
  • Implement and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for waste handling, spill response, emergency procedures, and personnel protective equipment (PPE) usage to reduce risk and ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, and local regulations.
  • Conduct waste characterization and profiling for new or unknown waste streams, partnering with lab services and technical staff to determine proper handling, storage, and disposal methods.
  • Manage inventory and procurement of waste containers, drums, labels, absorbents, and PPE, ensuring sufficient supplies and that containers meet regulatory specifications for hazardous materials.
  • Train, coach, and certify site staff on proper waste segregation, labeling, packaging, and transport requirements, including developing training materials and maintaining training records.
  • Respond to on-site releases and waste-related incidents, coordinate cleanup activities, document incident reports, and liaise with emergency response teams and regulatory agencies as necessary.
  • Perform routine site inspections and compliance audits of waste storage, treatment, and collection areas, generate corrective action plans, and track closure of observations to reduce compliance risk.
  • Track and analyze waste generation, disposal costs, and diversion metrics; produce weekly/monthly reports and dashboards to identify trends and opportunities for waste minimization and cost savings.
  • Maintain Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) files and ensure chemical inventories align with waste manifests and disposal decisions to support accurate classification and shipping.
  • Coordinate hazardous waste permit renewals, site-specific approvals, and variances with state and local authorities; prepare permit application materials and supporting technical documentation.
  • Implement and manage recycling and resource recovery programs (e.g., solvent reclamation, metal recycling, e-waste collection) to improve diversion rates and achieve sustainability targets.
  • Ensure all hazardous materials shipments meet DOT shipping paper, placarding, and packaging requirements, and train shipping staff and vendors on proper shipment preparation and emergency response information.
  • Collaborate with procurement and finance to review waste disposal invoices, allocate costs to business units, and identify opportunities for consolidation or vendor renegotiation to reduce waste spend.
  • Lead root cause investigations and develop corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for recurring waste management issues, communicating outcomes to operations and leadership.
  • Maintain electronic and physical records for waste manifests, profiles, training, audits, and regulatory correspondence in accordance with retention policies and to support inspections.
  • Support ISO 14001 or other environmental management system initiatives by providing operational input to objectives, targets, and documented procedures related to waste and resource management.
  • Coordinate cross-functional meetings with operations, EHS, procurement, and plant leadership to align on waste handling priorities, project timelines, and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Review and update waste management policies and SOPs to reflect regulatory changes, industry best practices, and lessons learned from incidents or audits.
  • Conduct on-site assessments for new projects, capital changes, or product changes that may alter waste streams and recommend design or process changes to reduce hazardous waste generation.
  • Monitor industry regulations and technical guidance related to hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, disseminating regulatory updates and implementing compliance action plans.
  • Support budgeting and forecasting for waste operations, including capital needs for containment, on-site treatment systems, and contractor budgets.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide subject matter expertise and support for corporate sustainability reporting and waste-related KPIs (e.g., diversion rates, tonnage reductions).
  • Assist in the development and rollout of internal communications and employee engagement campaigns to increase recycling participation and reduce contamination.
  • Participate in emergency response drills, tabletop exercises, and off-site emergency coordination with local responders and regulators.
  • Support continuous improvement programs (Lean/Six Sigma projects) focused on reducing waste generation, optimizing collection routes, and minimizing handling steps.
  • Help evaluate and pilot new waste technologies (e.g., on-site compaction, baling, solvent reclamation, chemical neutralization) and prepare business cases for capital investment.
  • Act as the site liaison for customer or community inquiries related to waste practices, recycling programs, or odor/complaint investigations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Knowledge of federal, state, and local hazardous waste regulations and guidance (RCRA, DOT HM-181, EPA reporting requirements).
  • Experience preparing and managing hazardous waste manifests, cradle-to-grave documentation, and electronic manifest systems.
  • Proficiency in waste profiling, chemical characterization, SDS interpretation, and hazardous classification (including DOT classification).
  • Vendor/contractor management experience including procurement, contract review, and performance audits for waste transporters and disposal facilities.
  • Familiarity with waste accounting and tracking systems, route planning/GPS dispatch tools, and basic Excel skills for reporting and KPI tracking.
  • Strong recordkeeping and documentation skills for compliance audits, permits, and regulatory inspections.
  • Experience managing recycling and diversion programs, including material segregation, baling, and processing options.
  • Understanding of spill response procedures, emergency response coordination, and hazardous materials incident documentation.
  • Permit application and regulatory submittal experience, including interaction with state environmental agencies.
  • Basic budgeting and cost control skills related to vendor invoices, disposal cost reconciliation, and waste reduction initiatives.
  • Experience with environmental management systems (ISO 14001) and internal audit protocols is preferred.
  • Familiarity with health and safety standards (OSHA) and PPE requirements for waste handling operations.

Soft Skills

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with regulators, vendors, operations staff, and leadership.
  • Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills to maintain accurate manifests, records, and training documentation.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to prioritize tasks and resolve waste-related operational or compliance issues promptly.
  • Project coordination skills to manage multiple vendors, permit processes, and cross-functional initiatives simultaneously.
  • Leadership and training ability to influence and grow compliance culture among site personnel.
  • Customer-service orientation when supporting internal stakeholders and external customers.
  • Analytical skills to interpret waste data, identify trends, and recommend cost-saving or diversion strategies.
  • Adaptability and resilience in responding to incidents, sudden regulatory changes, or operational disruptions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED required; evidence of continued technical training (e.g., hazardous waste management courses) preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate or Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Safety, Occupational Health, Chemistry, or related technical field is preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Occupational Safety & Health (OSH)
  • Chemistry
  • Logistics / Supply Chain Management
  • Business Administration (for vendor/contract management contexts)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2–5 years of progressive experience in waste management, hazardous waste operations, environmental compliance, or related operational roles.

Preferred:

  • 3–5+ years working specifically with hazardous waste (RCRA), manifest systems, vendor management, and regulatory reporting.
  • Experience in industrial, manufacturing, laboratory, or municipal waste programs, with demonstrated success in improving diversion rates and ensuring regulatory compliance.
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