Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Waste Management Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a detail-oriented Waste Management Analyst to support corporate and municipal waste operations by combining subject-matter expertise in solid and hazardous waste with strong data analytics, regulatory knowledge, and stakeholder management. The Waste Management Analyst will lead waste characterization and diversion strategy, prepare regulatory and sustainability reporting, optimize vendor performance and contracts, and deliver actionable insights through dashboards and process improvement initiatives to reduce cost, risk, and environmental impact.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Environmental Technician / Waste Technician
Sustainability Coordinator / Sustainability Intern
Data Analyst or Operations Analyst supporting environmental programs

Advancement To:

Senior Waste Management Analyst
Waste Operations Manager / Waste Program Manager
Environmental Compliance Manager or Sustainability Manager
Director of Environmental Services / Head of Waste & Recycling Programs

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Consultant (waste programs)
Regulatory Affairs Specialist (waste & remediation)
Procurement / Vendor Management for waste services

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive waste characterization audits (manual sorting and sampling protocols) across facilities and/or municipal routes to quantify stream composition, contamination rates, generation drivers, and seasonal variability; produce audit reports that include methodology, statistical confidence, and recommended interventions.
Analyze facility- and fleet-level waste generation data and transactional hauling/invoice data to identify cost drivers, diversion opportunities, anomalies, and optimization levers using advanced Excel, SQL queries, and BI tools; translate findings into prioritized action plans with estimated cost and carbon impact.
Design, implement, and monitor waste diversion and recycling strategies (including organics/composting, single-stream, multi-stream, and specialty recycling streams) tailored to site operational constraints and local market conditions; measure program success through KPIs such as diversion rate, contamination rate, cost per ton, and greenhouse gas reductions.
Manage compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local waste regulations (e.g., RCRA, EPA rules, local landfill and hauler permits), including preparation and submission of manifests, Biennial Hazardous Waste Reports, landfill disposal records, and any required notifications or permits.
Coordinate hazardous waste handling programs: classify waste streams, ensure proper containerization and labeling, coordinate scheduling and oversight of hazardous waste pick-ups, maintain chain-of-custody documentation, and ensure employee training and emergency response readiness.
Develop and maintain dashboards and visualizations (Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent) to provide real-time performance tracking for diversion, costs, vendor KPIs, and regulatory deadlines; automate recurring reports and monthly executive summaries.
Manage vendor relationships and service contracts with haulers, recyclers, MRFs, composters, and disposal facilities: evaluate performance, negotiate rates and SLAs, oversee service-level compliance, and facilitate RFPs and contract renewals.
Perform lifecycle cost analysis and total cost of ownership evaluations for waste management alternatives (on-site processing, compacting, baling, equipment purchase/leasing, off-site recycling) to support capital investment decisions and budget forecasting.
Prepare sustainability and ESG reporting inputs related to waste (e.g., diversion rates, tons diverted, avoided emissions) for internal leadership, corporate sustainability reports, CDP/ESG disclosures, and stakeholder inquiries.
Support procurement and operations teams by specifying containers, compactors, balers, and collection equipment needs; develop placement plans and equipment sizing based on waste generation models and route efficiencies.
Lead cross-functional projects to reduce contamination and improve capture rates (e.g., signage, bin redesign, crew training, behavioral interventions), including piloting and scaling interventions using A/B testing and pre/post analysis.
Validate and reconcile waste invoices and manifests against hauling tickets and contractual terms; identify billing discrepancies, recoveries, and opportunities to reclaim costs or adjust service levels.
Conduct supplier due diligence and downstream market verification for recyclables to ensure material acceptance and sustainable end-markets; monitor commodity prices, end-market capacity, and regulatory changes that affect recycling economics.
Develop and deliver internal training and engagement programs for operations, facilities, and client/stakeholder groups on waste sorting, contamination reduction, hazardous waste procedures, and program participation.
Maintain accurate waste databases, maintain chain-of-custody and regulatory documents, and ensure data quality controls are in place (validation rules, reconciliation routines, source system audits).
Forecast waste volumes and service needs based on operational plans, occupancy levels, seasonal fluctuations, and special events; translate forecasts into contract capacity requirements and budgetary projections.
Support incident response and environmental remediation activities related to spills, improper disposal, or regulatory inspections; coordinate corrective actions and regulatory reporting as required.
Evaluate and recommend technology solutions (route optimization, RFID bin tracking, scale systems, digital manifesting, AI-enabled sorting) to improve operational efficiency, tracking, and reporting capabilities.
Analyze and implement opportunities for circular economy initiatives such as material reuse, take-back programs, product stewardship, and partnerships with processors or manufacturers to close material loops.
Perform continuous improvement and Lean exercises to identify bottlenecks in collection, sorting, and processing workflows; implement Kaizen events and document process changes that reduce handling costs and increase throughput.
Prepare and present detailed reports, business cases, and executive-level briefings that synthesize technical findings, financial impacts, regulatory risk, and recommended actions to senior leadership and stakeholders.
Track and report on grants, rebates, or incentive programs (e.g., recycling infrastructure grants, composting incentives); prepare applications and support implementation if funding is awarded.
Monitor and interpret changes to waste-related legislation and policy (local ordinances, extended producer responsibility laws, organics mandates) and advise the organization on operational and compliance implications.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests, root-cause analysis, and exploratory data modeling to answer business questions and support operational decision-making.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap for waste operations, including data sources, master data management for sites and contracts, and integration with ERP/CMMS systems.
Collaborate with business units (facilities, procurement, sustainability, operations) to translate waste program needs into technical and implementation requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies where waste analytics or systems development is delivered by cross-functional teams.
Provide subject-matter input to marketing and communications for external sustainability messaging, ensuring accuracy of waste claims and diversion metrics.
Assist in onboarding and training new hires and vendors on data systems, reporting cadence, and waste program procedures.
Support internal audits and external compliance inspections by pulling documentation, explaining program processes, and implementing corrective actions as directed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Waste characterization and audit methodologies (manual sort protocols, statistical sampling, contamination analysis).
Regulatory compliance knowledge: RCRA, EPA hazardous waste rules, regional landfill/transfer station regulations, DOT hazardous materials shipping rules, and local solid waste ordinances.
Data analysis and manipulation: advanced Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, Power Query, formulas), SQL for data extraction and transformation.
Business intelligence and visualization: Power BI or Tableau (dashboard building, DAX/Calc fields, scheduled refreshes).
Experience with geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis for route optimization, service area mapping, and facility siting.
Familiarity with digital manifesting systems, electronic reporting platforms, and weigh-scale data integration.
Contract and vendor management skills: drafting SOWs, monitoring SLAs, conducting performance reviews, and RFP management.
Financial analysis and cost modeling: cost-per-ton, avoided cost calculation, lifecycle cost analysis, and budget forecasting.
Knowledge of recycling markets, commodity flows, MRF operations, and organics processing technologies.
Hazardous waste handling and emergency response procedures, including spill response and chain-of-custody documentation.
Experience with ERP/CMMS integration, invoice reconciliation workflows, and automated billing validation.
Familiarity with sustainability reporting frameworks and disclosures (CDP, GRI, SASB/ISSB related waste metrics).

Soft Skills

Strong written and verbal communication — able to translate technical analysis into actionable recommendations for non-technical stakeholders.
Stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration across facilities, operations, procurement, and senior leadership.
Analytical problem solving and critical thinking — synthesizes large datasets and complex regulatory requirements into prioritized actions.
Project management skills — plans, coordinates, and drives multi-stakeholder projects to completion on time and within budget.
Attention to detail and high standard of documentation and data governance.
Influence and negotiation skills — drive vendor performance improvements and internal behavior change.
Adaptability and continuous learning mindset to keep up with changing regulations, technologies, and market dynamics.
Time management and prioritization under competing deadlines and operational demands.
Training and facilitation skills for adult learning in operational settings.
Ethical judgment and strong sense of compliance and environmental stewardship.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Civil/Industrial Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Policy, or a related quantitative field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, or an MBA with environmental focus.
Professional certifications preferred: CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager), LEED, CPP (Certified Professional Photographer?) — (note: include CHMM, CWEP, or equivalent waste/certification relevant to region).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Science / Environmental Studies
Environmental or Civil Engineering
Sustainability / Resource Management
Data Science / Statistics / Applied Mathematics
Public Policy with environmental focus

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–7 years of progressive experience in waste management, sustainability analytics, environmental compliance, or related operations. Municipal or industrial waste program experience is highly valued.

Preferred:

3+ years working directly with waste contractors, managing contracts and manifests, and preparing regulatory reports.
Demonstrated experience building BI dashboards and extracting insights with SQL and Power BI/Tableau.
Experience with hazardous waste handling and regulatory reporting in the relevant jurisdiction.
Prior involvement with recycling market dynamics, organics programs, or circular economy initiatives.
Proven track record of delivering cost-saving or diversion improvements through data-driven projects.