Science, Technology & Environment
Waste Management Officer
Waste management officers organise and manage the collection and disposal of waste from households and businesses.
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Entry-level education
Bachelor’s degree
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Job outlook
What does a Waste Management Officer do?
Waste management officers organise and manage the collection and disposal of waste from households and businesses.
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Work activities
As a waste management officer, you might:
- oversee and inspect waste disposal sites and recycling facilities
- manage teams of garbage or recycling collectors
- monitor local waste and recycling collection services
- manage contracts with private waste collection companies
- analyse statistics on local levels of waste and recycling
- make sure that waste disposal is handled according to the law
- aim to meet waste reduction, landfill diversion and recycling targets
- introduce new disposal or recycling schemes
- advise local businesses and communities on waste reduction and environmental issues
- manage budgets.
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Key skills and interests
To become a waste management officer, you would need:
- good spoken and written communication skills
- management and leadership skills
- the ability to organise, prioritise and meet deadlines
- patience and tact, for dealing with complaints
- to be able to analyse statistics and see trends
- the ability to understand and apply laws and regulations.
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Working hours and conditions
Working Hours
In a full-time role you would usually work a standard number of hours, Monday to Friday. In some jobs you may work weekends if waste management or recycling sites are open seven days a week.
Conditions
You would work for a local government authority or a private waste management or recycling company. You would be mainly office-based, and also spend some time visiting sites and contractors in your local area. You would need a current drivers' licence.
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How to become an Waste Management Officer?
Entry Level Education
To become a waste management officer, you would usually need a VET qualification or a degree in environmental management, waste management, engineering or similar areas. To get into these courses, you would usually need to gain your senior school certificate or equivalent, with English.
In local government, you might move into this role from another management area within a local council or council authority. Some people move into this role with experience in other industries such as construction, transport management or fleet management.
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Job outlook
Employment of waste management officers is expected to grow at about the average for all occupations.
Waste is a major environmental issue, especially in major cities and towns, and all local government authorities are looking for ways to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill, and to increase the amount of waste that can be re-used or recycled.
Waste management officers will be needed not only to run waste facilities, but to educate and advise local businesses and communities on waste reduction and environmental issues.
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