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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Waste Management Specialist

💰 $55,000 - $95,000

EnvironmentalWaste ManagementSustainabilityComplianceOperations

🎯 Role Definition

The Waste Management Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining effective waste handling, recycling, and hazardous materials programs to meet regulatory requirements, reduce environmental liability, and drive waste diversion and cost savings. This role combines regulatory compliance (EPA, RCRA, DOT), operational oversight (waste collection, manifests, vendor management), program development (recycling, composting, waste minimization), and data-driven performance monitoring. Ideal candidates bring hands-on experience in hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to translate regulatory requirements into clear operational processes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Environmental Technician / Waste Technician
  • HAZMAT Coordinator or Hazardous Materials Handler
  • Recycling Coordinator / Sustainability Coordinator

Advancement To:

  • Waste Management Supervisor / Manager
  • Environmental Compliance Manager
  • Director of Sustainability / Environmental Programs

Lateral Moves:

  • Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist
  • Sustainability Program Manager
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive hazardous and non-hazardous waste management program that ensures full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (RCRA, CERCLA, EPA, DOT) and company policies.
  • Manage hazardous waste characterization, classification, labeling, packaging, and storage to ensure proper identification, treatment, and disposal through permitted facilities and licensed transporters.
  • Prepare, review, and submit regulatory reports and documentation such as Biennial Hazardous Waste Reports, manifests, EPA notifications, state disposal records, and permit renewals, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.
  • Oversee contractor and vendor relationships for waste collection, transportation, treatment, recycling, and disposal; negotiate contracts, review scopes of work, and monitor contractor performance and compliance.
  • Conduct routine and project-based waste audits, waste stream analyses, and site assessments to identify opportunities for waste minimization, source reduction, reuse, recycling, and cost-saving initiatives.
  • Design and implement waste diversion programs (recycling, composting, industrial by-product reuse) and continuous improvement plans to meet corporate sustainability targets and local diversion mandates.
  • Maintain and audit waste tracking systems and databases (e.g., WMIS, Enablon, Sphera, custom ERP modules), ensuring data integrity, KPIs, and dashboards for volume, cost, and diversion metrics.
  • Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies during inspections, notices of violation, and permit processes; prepare responses, corrective action plans, and coordinate remedial activities.
  • Develop, update, and enforce waste handling procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and facility waste management plans tailored to operational realities and regulatory changes.
  • Lead and conduct employee training programs on hazardous waste handling, DOT shipping papers, manifest procedures, spill prevention, HAZWOPER awareness, and safe waste segregation practices.
  • Manage manifests, transportation documentation, and hazardous material shipping compliance to ensure DOT and IATA regulations are followed for off-site shipments and contractor pickups.
  • Coordinate sampling, chain-of-custody, and analytical testing with laboratories for waste characterization, TCLP testing, and disposal profiling; interpret lab results and recommend disposition paths.
  • Develop and manage departmental budgets, forecasting waste management costs, optimizing disposal and recycling expenditures, and identifying opportunities for cost avoidance and revenue from recyclable streams.
  • Plan and coordinate emergency response and spill containment actions related to waste incidents; participate in incident investigations and implement corrective and preventative measures.
  • Review capital and operational projects for waste impacts; provide waste minimization input during design reviews, process changes, and new product introductions to reduce future waste liabilities.
  • Implement and monitor environmental performance metrics and audits (internal and third-party), produce management reports, and present findings and improvement plans to leadership.
  • Ensure proper recordkeeping and retention of manifests, waste profiles, training records, disposal receipts, and regulatory correspondence in accordance with legal timelines.
  • Support permit applications and renewals for waste storage, treatment, and transfer facilities; coordinate engineering, sampling, and documentation required for permitting.
  • Drive cross-functional collaboration with procurement, operations, EHS, and sustainability teams to integrate waste management best practices into procurement specs, product design, and daily operations.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies, regional recycling markets, and alternative treatment options (e.g., beneficial reuse, energy-from-waste, anaerobic digestion) and recommend pilot projects to expand diversion.
  • Supervise or mentor waste management technicians and contractors; assign work, review performance, and foster a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
  • Perform regular site inspections and audits of satellite accumulation areas, waste storage areas, and waste handling operations to identify hazards, ensure containment, and verify compliance with SOPs.
  • Prepare and present required internal and external communications, including regulatory correspondence, community outreach about waste programs, and sustainability reporting input.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to waste volumes, costs, and diversion rates for leadership and sustainability reporting.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by recommending improvements to waste tracking, analytics, and reporting workflows.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements for waste handling and reporting systems.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team to prioritize waste-related data features and integrations.
  • Assist procurement and supply chain teams in developing specifications that reduce packaging waste and encourage recyclable or returnable containers.
  • Support community outreach and education efforts on recycling and hazardous waste disposal practices as required by corporate social responsibility programs.
  • Provide technical support for continuous improvement and Lean initiatives focused on waste reduction in manufacturing or facility operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • In-depth knowledge of hazardous waste regulations: RCRA, DOT, CERCLA, EPA standards, and relevant state/local requirements.
  • Hazardous waste characterization and profiling (including TCLP testing interpretation and waste code assignment).
  • Regulatory reporting and documentation experience (manifests, Biennial Reports, cradle-to-grave tracking, permits).
  • Experience with waste tracking and EHS software platforms (e.g., WMIS, Enablon, Sphera, VelocityEHS) and strong MS Excel / data analysis skills.
  • DOT hazardous materials shipping, packaging, and marking expertise plus familiarity with IATA rules for air transport when applicable.
  • HAZWOPER awareness or certification (29 CFR 1910.120) and knowledge of spill response and containment procedures.
  • Vendor/contractor management, procurement for waste services, and negotiation of disposal and recycling contracts.
  • Waste audit methodology, waste stream characterization, and development of waste minimization and recycling programs.
  • Sampling protocols, chain-of-custody handling, and coordination with certified analytical laboratories.
  • Permit application and compliance management for waste storage, transfer, and treatment facilities.
  • Budgeting, cost tracking, and financial analysis related to waste disposal, recycling revenue, and cost reduction initiatives.
  • Familiarity with sustainability frameworks and reporting standards (e.g., EPA, GRI, CDP) and experience supporting sustainability metrics.
  • Knowledge of industrial process waste streams, treatment technologies (composting, anaerobic digestion, thermal treatment), and beneficial reuse pathways.

Soft Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for regulatory correspondence, training, and stakeholder outreach.
  • Excellent project management and organizational abilities to manage multiple compliance tasks, audits, and improvement projects.
  • Proven problem-solving skills with ability to analyze complex regulatory requirements and operational constraints.
  • Stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration: ability to influence operations, procurement, and leadership.
  • Attention to detail and strong documentation habits to maintain defensible records and audit trails.
  • Leadership and team coaching skills to mentor technicians and align contractors to program goals.
  • Adaptability and resilience in responding to regulatory changes, inspections, and emergency incidents.
  • Negotiation skills and commercial acumen to secure favorable contractor agreements and manage budgets.
  • Analytical mindset with comfort synthesizing data into KPI dashboards and actionable recommendations.
  • Customer-service orientation for internal clients (facilities, labs, campuses) and external regulators and communities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Industrial Hygiene, or related technical discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s plus relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Hazardous Materials Manager — CHMM) or Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Engineering, or Sustainability.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science / Environmental Studies
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry
  • Industrial Hygiene / Occupational Safety
  • Sustainability / Resource Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–7 years of hands-on experience in hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, regulatory compliance, or related environmental operations.

Preferred: 5+ years of progressive responsibility managing waste programs for industrial, municipal, healthcare, or campus environments; demonstrated experience with state and federal regulations, contract management, and data-driven waste diversion programs.

Certifications and training often preferred: HAZWOPER (40- or 8-hour), DOT HazMat training, CHMM or similar, and facility-specific emergency response credentials.

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