Waste management officer

Description

Waste management officers advise and enforce regulations on facilities managing waste disposal, collection and recycling. They develop and implement rules and evaluate the compliance with existsing legislation.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to waste management officer:

waste management coordination officer
waste management safety officer
recycling officer
waste disposal officer
waste management development officer
waste disposal operative
waste management compliance officer
waste recycling officer
waste diversion manager

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as waste management officer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Waste management officer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Waste management officer career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to waste management officer.

recycling specialist
radiation protection officer
waste treatment engineer
environmental engineer
emergency response coordinator

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of waste management officer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of waste management officer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of waste management officer.

Business management principles: Principles governing business management methods such as strategy planning, methods of efficient production, people and resources coordination.
Waste transport legislation: Regulations and legislation concerning the safe transportation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials, products, and appliances.
Health, safety and hygiene legislation: The set of health, safety and hygiene standards and items of legislation applicable in a specific sector.
Waste management: The methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal.
Waste and scrap products: The offered waste and scrap products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of waste management officer.

Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
Ensure compliance with waste legislative regulations: Implement and monitor company procedures for the collection, transport and disposal of waste, in compliance with all regulations and legal requirements.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Maintain recycling records: Maintain records and process facts and figures about type and volume of different recycling operations.
Establish waste collection routes: Establish and outline the routes which would ensure efficient and fast waste collection in the designated area.
Follow safety standards in industrial contexts: Abide by safety procedures and standards for industrial contexts, mostly where machinery is involved.
Develop recycling programs: Develop and coordinate recycling programs; collect and process recyclable materials in order to reduce waste.
Coordinate waste management procedures: Coordinate the operations of a facility or organisation which deal with the management of waste, such as waste collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal, in order to ensure optimal efficiency of operations, improve methods for waste reduction, and ensure compliance with legislation.
Apply organisational techniques: Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
Manage recycling program budget: manage the annual recycling program and respective budget of an organisation.
Perform planning: Manage one’s time schedule and resources in order to finish tasks in a timely manner.
Advise on waste management procedures: Advise organisations on the implementation of waste regulations and on improvement strategies for waste management and waste minimisation, to increase environmentally sustainable practices and environmental awareness.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of waste management officer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Decontamination techniques: The methods and techniques used for the decontamination of waste by removing or neutralising the harmful substance.
Hazardous waste treatment: The methods applied in the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste such as asbestos, dangerous chemicals, and various contaminants, as well as the surrounding environmental regulations and legislation.
Pollution legislation: Be familiar with European and National legislation regarding the risk of pollution.
Project management: Understand project management and the activities which comprise this area. Know the variables implied in project management such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.
Pollution prevention: The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.
Nuclear energy: The generation of electrical energy through the use of nuclear reactors, by converting the energy released from nuclei of atoms in reactors which generate heat. This heat subsequently generates steam which can power a steam turbine to generate electricity.
Radiation protection: The measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.
Hazardous waste storage: The regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of waste management officer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Communicate with waste collectors: Communicate with workers who collect waste from various places and transport it to the waste treatment facilities in order to ensure optimal cooperation and efficient operation of waste treatment and disposal procedures.
Educate on recycling regulations: Educate organisations and individuals on the correct procedures and legislation concerning the recycling of different types of waste in different types of containers, waste collection procedures, and on the sanctions following non-compliance to legislation.
Develop hazardous waste management strategies: Develop strategies which aim to increase the efficiency in which a facility treats, transports, and disposes of hazardous waste materials, such as radioactive waste, chemicals, and electronics.
Collect samples for analysis: Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
Advise on pollution prevention: Advise individuals and organisations on the development and implementation of actions which aid in the prevention of pollution and its related risks.
Research recycling grant opportunities: Research litter control and recycling loan and grant opportunities; follow up and complete application processes.
Follow nuclear plant safety precautions: Comply with nuclear power plant safety procedures, policies and legislation to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, and to ensure the safety of the public.
Monitor disposal of radioactive substances: Ensure correct management and disposal of radioactive substances used for medical purposes, in compliance with established procedures.
Maintain waste collection records: Maintain records on waste collection routes, scheduling, and types and volume of waste collected.
Identify new recycling opportunities: Investigate ideas and spot opportunities to improve the collection, process and recycling of waste materials.
Write technical reports: Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.
Coordinate shipments of recycling materials: Coordinate and oversee shipments of recycling materials. Communicate with processing companies and shipping brokers.
Schedule regular machine maintenance: Schedule and perform regular maintenance, cleaning, and repairs of all equipment. Order necessary machine parts and upgrade equipment when necessary to ensure optimal performance.
Analyse experimental laboratory data: Analyse experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings
Monitor waste treatment equipment: Monitor the operations of equipment used for the treatment and disposal of hazardous or non-hazardous waste to ensure that it is functional, compliant with legislation, and to check for faults.
Train staff on recycling programs: Train employees on the type of recycling methods and programs available for a company and all its procedures and policies that should be taken account of.
Respond to nuclear emergencies: Set in motion the strategies for reacting in the event of equipment malfunctions, errors, or other events which may lead to contamination and other nuclear emergencies, ensuring that the facility is secured, all necessary areas are evacuated, and further damages and risks are contained.
Test safety strategies: Test policies and strategies related to risk and safety management and procedures, such as testing evacuation plans, safety equipment, and carrying out drills.
Monitor radiation levels: Use measuring and testing equipment and techniques to identify the levels of radiation or radioactive substances in order to control exposure and minimise health, safety, and environmental risks.
Develop non-hazardous waste management strategies: Develop strategies which aim to increase the efficiency in which a facility treats, transports, and disposes of non-hazardous waste materials, such as packaging, textiles, scraps, debris, and paper.
Train staff on waste management: Train the staff of a facility which deals with waste management, or an organisation’s staff responsible for waste management strategies, on the improvements that can be made to reduce waste, increase efficiency of waste treatment and disposal, and ensure compliance with waste and environmental legislation.

ISCO group and title

1321 – Manufacturing managers

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Waste management officer – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022