Household Hazardous Waste Specialist

Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus.

About the role

This full-time, benefit-earning position is internally classified as an Environmentalist, Senior. The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Specialist will manage HHW collection events and oversee the development and implementation of disposal contracts for hazardous waste materials.

Location and hours

This position will work at two drop-off facilities: the Brooklyn Park Transfer Station (8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445) and the South Hennepin Recycling Center and Problem Waste Drop-off Center (1400 West 96th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431). Work hours are Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with flexibility based on operational needs. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) events; review event invoices and program documents.
• Write and submit state and contractual notifications.
• Schedule collection events and review, approve, and direct event logistics; work with the Education & Outreach division on event communications.
• Schedule and coordinate with contractors (e.g., waste management, operational staff, county staff, and other partners).
• Review, establish, and audit on-site safety and regulatory compliance; review wastes delivered for acceptability.
• Coordinate and maintain medicine program.
• Review and sign shipping documents; enter and file all pertinent data and paperwork.
• Compile and report on each year's collection event data and financials.
• Participate in the development and management of hazardous waste disposal contracts.
• Participate in the development and implementation of product stewardship initiatives.
• Conduct technical review on proposed federal, state, and local laws, rules, or policies affecting county HHW and medicine collections.

Requirements

• One of the following:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in chemistry or chemical engineering or a closely related field and two years of experience in hazardous waste management or industrial chemical testing and analysis.
  • Associate's degree in a field closely related to the assignment and four years of experience in work related to the assignment.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to obtain a Hennepin County driver's permit within six months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification as a Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) or a Hazardous Materials Practitioner (CHMP) or the ability to become certified within two years of employment.
• Experience:
  • Managing HHW collections, including identification, sorting, packaging, and shipping hazardous wastes.
  • In chemical safety.
  • Developing, managing, and evaluating HHW disposal contracts and agreements.
  • Evaluating programs by collecting and analyzing outcome data.
  • Project management experience within a hazardous waste setting.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations related to hazardous waste.
• Ability to:
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with others.
  • Organize programs and maintain effective relationships with municipal officials, contractors, and the general public.

About the department

The Environment and Energy department protects and preserves the environment to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. We engage communities to develop and enact sustainable solutions. We focus on reducing and responsibly managing waste, protecting and preserving ecosystems, delivering clean energy, and promoting environmental stewardship.

About Hennepin County

Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that eliminate disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all, and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive. Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations, including meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits, and opportunities to grow.