What are the responsibilities and job description for the Recycling Specialist position at Collier County?
Collier County strives to be an employer of choice, and many of our employees build long-term careers with us. The salary listed in the job description reflects the full pay range for this position, from entry level through advanced career stages.
NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AT, OR NEAR THE ENTRY POINT SHOWN, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.
Seeking a proactive and community-focused Recycling Specialist to develop, implement, and evaluate solid waste and recycling programs, including waste reduction, educational outreach, household hazardous waste (HHW), and residential and commercial recycling services. This position ensures regulatory compliance while promoting sustainable waste practices throughout the community. Seeking an organized, forward-thinking, and skilled in educating residents and businesses on proper waste practices and local recycling requirements, while collaborating with partners to enhance program effectiveness, increase participation, and reduce landfill impact.
• Researches, analyzes, and recommends innovative recycling, waste reduction, and hazardous waste initiatives for residential and commercial sectors; evaluates existing programs, legislation, and recycling markets to ensure regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
• Provides public education and engagement by encouraging and assisting businesses, multi-family and residential with recycling programs
• Creates, produces, presents, and disseminates educational programs and outreach materials for Solid Waste Services, including HHW collection and disposal, municipal solid waste (MSW), business recycling, curbside collection, and waste reduction initiatives. Utilizes literature, websites, presentations, special events, surveys, public service announcements, and marketing campaigns.
• Provides proactive public education and community engagement by conducting presentations and or tours, attending events, and educating residents, businesses, multi-family and residential properties, schools, civic groups, and other stakeholders on proper waste disposal, recycling requirements, and ordinance compliance.
• Establishes and maintains productive business, educational, and community partnerships to promote increased recycling participation and program effectiveness.
• Plans and attends special events and programs such as recycling events, coastal cleanups, America Recycles Day, Earth Day, County Government Day, and other community outreach activities.
• Monitors and evaluates program effectiveness through data collection, analysis, benchmarking, surveys, and performance metrics; prepares reports on recycling, curbside, HHW, and commercial collection programs; presents findings and recommendations to management.
• Identifies and administers grant opportunities related to HHW, recycling, and waste reduction programs; prepares applications, manages reporting requirements, and monitors funded initiatives for compliance and performance.
• Provides input for contract development and monitoring related to collection, waste reduction, and recycling services; reviews contractor invoices to ensure services are delivered in accordance with agreements.
• Administers and supports in-house hazardous waste collection, disposal, recycling, and waste reduction programs in coordination with staff; monitors participation rates and operational performance.
• Coordinates with County departments and external partners to maintain accurate and current divisional web content and public information related to Solid Waste programs and ordinances.
• Conducts research using internal records, electronic data sources, interagency collaboration, and industry resources to support program planning, policy development, and operational improvements.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with supervisors, employees, volunteers, contractors, vendors, consultants, government agencies, media representatives, and the public to exchange information, resolve issues, and promote Solid Waste initiatives.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable regulations, industry trends, recycling markets, and best practices through professional development, training, workshops, conferences, and professional affiliations.
• Utilizes computers, data management systems, presentation software, and other office and field equipment necessary to perform essential job functions.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
• Performs other related duties as required.
• In the event of declared state of emergency, employees in this classification may be called to work during days or hours other than those for which they are regularly scheduled.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATES
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License with any applicable endorsement(s) to drive a county vehicle as provided in CMA 5805.
Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency. The County’s Administrative Office will determine who will be required to work on an incident-by-incident basis.
This job posting is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.
Salary : $27 - $44