Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Waste Program Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

The Waste Program Analyst is responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of solid and hazardous waste programs. This role combines regulatory compliance, data analysis, grant and contract administration, stakeholder engagement, and programmatic policy development to reduce waste, protect public health, and meet local/state/federal requirements. The analyst will work across departments and with external partners (municipalities, haulers, recycling facilities, regulators, NGOs) to deliver measurable outcomes in diversion, safe disposal, and program efficiency.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Environmental Technician, Solid Waste Inspector, or Compliance Specialist
Program Coordinator in recycling, household hazardous waste (HHW), or sustainability programs
Data analyst or GIS specialist with environmental project experience

Advancement To:

Senior Waste Program Analyst / Program Manager
Solid Waste Program Supervisor or Division Manager
Environmental Policy Advisor or Sustainability Program Director

Lateral Moves:

Grants & Contracts Specialist (environmental)
Compliance & Enforcement Officer
Environmental Data Analyst / GIS Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead day-to-day management of municipal and commercial solid waste and hazardous waste programs, including policy development, operational planning, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement to increase diversion and reduce disposal costs.
Ensure program compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory frameworks (e.g., RCRA, state hazardous waste regulations, landfill permitting, recycling mandates), preparing and submitting regulatory reports and permit applications as required.
Conduct routine and targeted inspections of waste handling, transfer, processing, and disposal facilities; document findings, issue corrective action recommendations, and track enforcement or remediation activities to closure.
Design and maintain program metrics and dashboards (diversion rates, tonnage by stream, participation rates, contamination levels, cost-per-ton) and produce monthly/quarterly/annual performance reports for leadership, boards, and regulatory agencies.
Administer state and federal grants, negotiate subawards, prepare grant applications, monitor deliverables, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with funder reporting and audit requirements.
Develop, manage, and evaluate contracts with haulers, recycling processors, composting facilities, and third‑party vendors; prepare scopes of work, lead procurement processes, and monitor contractor performance against SLAs and deliverables.
Perform advanced data analysis of waste streams (tons, volumes, composition), service levels, and program impacts using Excel, SQL, and GIS; translate findings into actionable recommendations and cost-benefit analyses.
Lead waste characterization studies and sampling campaigns (residential, commercial, and special wastes) to inform program design, target outreach, and set diversion goals.
Create and deliver outreach, education, and behavior-change campaigns to residents, businesses, schools, and events to improve recycling quality, organics capture, and proper hazardous waste disposal.
Collaborate with internal teams (public works, planning, public health) and external stakeholders (haulers, recyclers, community groups) to design integrated waste reduction strategies and coordinate cross-jurisdictional initiatives.
Develop and maintain emergency response plans and procedures for waste-related incidents (spills, illegal dumping, hazardous material events), and coordinate response activities with emergency services and regulatory agencies.
Monitor and interpret proposed legislation, regulatory guidance, and case law affecting waste management; prepare impact analyses, policy briefs, and recommended agency positions.
Provide technical support and training to field staff, inspectors, and partners on compliance procedures, sampling protocols, proper handling of HHW, and recordkeeping best practices.
Manage special projects such as establishing curbside organics programs, creating pay-as-you-throw systems, expanding producer responsibility initiatives, and implementing zero-waste strategies.
Serve as the primary liaison with state environmental agencies, participating in interagency working groups, public meetings, and hearings to advocate for local program needs and secure funding or technical assistance.
Prepare and present clear, concise reports, memos, and presentations to elected officials, advisory committees, and the public, translating technical data into accessible recommendations and visuals.
Maintain program records, databases, and document control systems to support audits, inspections, and long-term program planning.
Conduct cost-recovery analyses and develop fee structures or rate adjustments for disposal, collection, and permit services while evaluating social equity implications.
Oversee the permitting process for special waste generators and recycling/processing facilities, coordinating public notices, technical reviews, and permit conditions to protect public health and the environment.
Investigate illegal dumping and noncompliance complaints, coordinate cleanup, pursue enforcement actions when necessary, and document case files for legal or administrative follow-up.
Drive procurement and implementation of technology solutions (route optimization, tip fee tracking, permit databases), and collaborate with IT to integrate systems and improve program workflows.
Benchmark programs against peer jurisdictions and industry best practices, preparing recommendations for modernization, cost savings, and scalable innovations.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis for waste stream characterization, program evaluation, and grant reporting.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap, advising on metrics, KPIs, and system improvements to better track waste outcomes.
Collaborate with business units to translate operational and policy needs into technical requirements for permit, billing, or GIS systems.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within cross-functional project teams to deliver program enhancements and data tools.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

In-depth knowledge of federal and state waste regulations (e.g., RCRA, state hazardous waste programs), permitting, and compliance processes.
Experience with solid waste program management, including recycling, organics, HHW, landfill operations, and illegal dumping programs.
Data analysis and visualization using Excel (pivot tables, advanced formulas), SQL, Python or R preferred for modeling and trend analysis.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) skills for spatial analysis of collection routes, facility locations, illegal dumping hotspots, and service gaps (ArcGIS, QGIS).
Familiarity with enterprise permitting, asset management, and CRM systems; ability to translate business rules into system requirements.
Grant writing, budget management, and financial reporting for federal and state-funded environmental programs.
Contract procurement and vendor management experience, including developing scopes of work, RFPs, and performance monitoring.
Experience designing and analyzing waste composition studies, mass balance calculations, and diversion rate methodologies.
Ability to prepare technical reports, regulatory submittals, and formal correspondence for agencies and elected officials.
Comfort with public engagement tools and channels (presentations, public hearings, digital outreach, stakeholder facilitation).

Soft Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills; capable of translating complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences and elected officials.
Project and program management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple concurrent initiatives and meet deadlines.
Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills; able to build consensus across public, private, and community partners.
Analytical problem-solving mindset with attention to detail and ability to think strategically about program outcomes.
Customer-service orientation and political acuity when working with the public and elected stakeholders.
Adaptability and initiative in fast-changing regulatory or operational environments.
Facilitation and training skills to lead workshops, staff trainings, and public education sessions.
Integrity, sound judgment, and ability to handle confidential or sensitive information.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Public Policy, Resource Management, Geography, or a related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Public Administration, Environmental Policy, or related discipline, or equivalent advanced coursework.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Science / Studies
Environmental Engineering
Public Policy / Administration
Geography / GIS
Sustainability / Resource Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of progressively responsible experience in waste management, environmental compliance, program administration, or related fields.

Preferred: 5+ years of experience managing municipal or regional waste programs, demonstrated grant and contract management, regulatory reporting experience, and proficiency in data/GIS analysis.