Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Waste Management Program Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Waste Management Program Coordinator plans, implements, and oversees waste reduction, recycling, and hazardous materials programs for municipal agencies, private firms, or non-profit organizations. This role is responsible for regulatory compliance (EPA, state and local codes), contractor and vendor management, grant and budget administration, performance measurement and reporting, community education and outreach, and continuous improvement initiatives to meet diversion and sustainability goals.

Key SEO keywords: waste management coordinator, recycling program coordinator, solid waste coordinator, hazardous waste, waste diversion, EPA compliance, sustainability coordinator, grant management, waste audits, recycling outreach.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Environmental Technician or Solid Waste Technician
Sustainability Specialist / Recycling Technician
Environmental Compliance Assistant

Advancement To:

Senior Waste Management Program Manager
Director of Solid Waste & Recycling
Sustainability Program Director

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Compliance Coordinator
Public Works Project Coordinator
Grants & Contracts Specialist (Environmental Programs)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and manage municipal and commercial recycling, composting, organics, and solid waste diversion programs, including timelines, budgets, stakeholder outreach plans, and measurable performance targets to increase diversion rates and reduce landfill disposal.
Lead program design and pilot initiatives (curbside collection changes, pay-as-you-throw, single-stream vs. multi-stream pilots, composting rollouts) from concept through procurement, vendor selection, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Prepare, manage, and reconcile annual program budgets; track expenditures across multiple funding streams (general fund, enterprise funds, grants) and make recommendations for budget adjustments to ensure program sustainability.
Write, submit, and administer federal, state, and foundation grant applications and grants management packages (including budgets, scopes of work, compliance reporting, and audits) to secure external funding for waste diversion and sustainability projects.
Manage contracts and service agreements with haulers, recyclers, composters, contractors, and consultants; administer RFPs/RFQs, evaluate proposals, negotiate terms, and oversee contract performance and compliance with service-level agreements.
Ensure regulatory compliance with federal, state, and local waste and hazardous materials regulations (EPA, state environmental agencies), including permit applications, manifesting, reporting, and timely submittal of required regulatory documents.
Conduct waste characterization studies, composition audits, and contamination assessments to establish baseline performance metrics, inform program design, and track changes over time using statistically valid sampling and reporting methods.
Analyze program data (tonnage, participation rates, contamination rates, diversion metrics) using Excel, GIS, or waste tracking systems to produce dashboards, monthly and annual performance reports, and data-informed recommendations for program optimization.
Coordinate and administer household hazardous waste (HHW) collection events, permanent HHW facilities, and special waste handling protocols, ensuring safe handling, transportation, and disposal in compliance with HAZWOPER and DOT hazmat standards.
Develop and deliver public education and outreach campaigns (multilingual materials, school programs, social media, community workshops) to increase participation, reduce contamination, and communicate program changes and best practices to residents and businesses.
Provide technical assistance and training to internal staff, elected officials, community groups, and commercial customers on recycling ordinances, source separation, waste reduction strategies, and vendor compliance expectations.
Oversee day-to-day operational coordination with public works, sanitation crews, collection vendors, and transfer/processing facilities to resolve service complaints, optimize routing, and support special events and seasonal needs.
Manage special projects such as organics processing siting, MRF optimization studies, anaerobic digestion feasibility, or landfill diversion initiatives; coordinate environmental reviews, stakeholder advisory committees, and interagency agreements.
Maintain and update program documentation including operations manuals, SOPs, contingency plans for collection disruptions, emergency response procedures, and permit records to ensure institutional knowledge and regulatory readiness.
Support procurement and asset management for program equipment (bins, carts, collection vehicles, education kiosks), including inventory control, specification development, bid coordination, and lifecycle cost analysis.
Serve as primary liaison with state environmental agencies, regional planning bodies, recycling markets, and industry associations to stay current on regulatory changes, best practices, funding opportunities, and market developments affecting commodity values and end markets.
Design and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks with KPIs (tons diverted, participation rate, contamination rate, cost per ton diverted) and produce executive-level briefings, presentations, and technical memos for elected officials and stakeholders.
Lead community engagement and stakeholder facilitation efforts, coordinating public hearings, advisory committees, internal working groups, and partner meetings to build buy-in and ensure program transparency.
Investigate and respond to complaints regarding illegal dumping, nuisance sites, odour complaints, or contractor noncompliance; coordinate enforcement actions or corrective plans with code enforcement or environmental health as appropriate.
Facilitate interdepartmental collaboration for sustainability goals by advising planning, public works, procurement, and economic development teams on waste reduction strategies, green procurement, and circular economy initiatives.
Monitor recycling markets, negotiate commodity contracts, and recommend adaptive strategies to mitigate market volatility, including destination diversification, MRF improvements, or temporary program changes.
Coordinate and oversee special events logistics related to collection (bulk pickup, electronics recycling drives, community cleanup days) including volunteer management, site layouts, traffic control interfacing, and post-event reporting.

Secondary Functions

Maintain and enhance program data systems and dashboards; support ad-hoc data requests, export data from waste tracking software, and deliver exploratory analyses to inform strategic decisions and presentations.
Support procurement processes by preparing bid documents, evaluation matrices, and contract amendments related to collection services, processing facilities, or equipment purchases.
Contribute to organizational sustainability planning and the departmental long-term solid waste management plan; assist in setting multi-year diversion targets and resource needs.
Participate in cross-functional planning meetings and agile-style project sprints for quick-turn operational improvements or pilot program rollouts.
Assist with community grant-funded project reporting, performance tracking, and closeout documentation to ensure compliance with funder requirements and timely drawdowns.
Provide backup support for emergency response coordination for spills, facility incidents, or collection disruptions with public safety and environmental health partners.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Waste characterization and composition study design, sampling methodology, and statistical analysis.
Solid familiarity with federal and state waste regulations (EPA, RCRA, hazardous waste manifesting, state solid waste codes) and permitting processes.
Grant writing, grants administration, and compliance reporting for state and federal environmental grants.
Contract management, procurement procedures, RFP/RFQ development, proposal evaluation, and vendor performance monitoring.
Data analysis and reporting using Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables), waste tracking platforms (e.g., Re-TRAC, GreenHalo, WasteLogics), and basic SQL or data query skills.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for service area mapping, route optimization, and spatial analysis of service equity.
Budget development, fiscal tracking, cost-per-ton analysis, and lifecycle cost modeling for program decisions.
Knowledge of household hazardous waste (HHW) program operations, HAZWOPER awareness, DOT hazardous materials shipping regulations, and safe handling protocols.
Familiarity with materials recovery facility (MRF) operations, commodity markets, contamination mitigation techniques, and organics processing technologies (composting, anaerobic digestion).
Experience with public outreach tools and digital communications (content creation, social media campaigns, multilingual materials) and use of CRM or constituent request systems.

Soft Skills

Strong project management and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously and deliver on time and on budget.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for reports, presentations to councils/boards, and community engagement.
Stakeholder management and diplomatic negotiation skills with elected officials, community advocates, contractors, and interagency partners.
Analytical mindset with attention to detail and comfort translating technical data into clear, actionable recommendations.
Problem-solving and critical thinking to respond to service disruptions, market fluctuations, and compliance challenges.
Leadership and team collaboration skills to coordinate cross-functional teams, volunteers, and external partners.
Public-facing facilitation skills and cultural competency to engage diverse communities and translate technical requirements into accessible messages.
Adaptability and resilience in a fast-changing regulatory and market environment.
Customer service orientation for constituent complaint resolution and vendor performance oversight.
Ethical judgment and integrity in handling public funds, contracts, and regulatory compliance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Sustainability, or a closely related field; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Public Policy, Civil/Environmental Engineering, or Sustainability Management.
Professional certifications such as Certified Recycling Professional (CRP), Project Management Professional (PMP), or Certificate in Hazardous Waste Operations (HAZWOPER).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Science or Environmental Studies
Public Administration / Public Policy
Civil or Environmental Engineering
Sustainability / Resource Management
Urban Planning

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–7 years of progressive experience in waste management, recycling program administration, environmental compliance, or public works operations.

Preferred:

5+ years coordinating municipal or regional waste programs, solid waste operations, or sustainability initiatives.
Demonstrated experience with grant administration, contract management, and stakeholder engagement in a public-sector or non-profit environment.
Proven track record of delivering measurable diversion outcomes, designing pilots, or managing HHW programs.