Hazardous Waste Technicians, Variable Hour

Position Summary

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Are you excited by the idea of using applied science to protect the environment while working in a busy workplace with a strong team spirit? Are you comfortable working carefully and safely with and around chemicals and hazardous materials while wearing personal protective equipment? Do you excel at customer and public service? Then we encourage you to apply for the Hazardous Waste Technician position with Metro!

The person selected for this job will work at Metro South Transfer Station at 2001 Washington Street in Oregon City and at community collection events throughout the region. Metro South Transfer Station is just off of Highway 205 and Highway 213 with TriMet bus stops (ID 14047/14048) near the front gate. This position reports to the Hazardous Waste Facility Supervisors. Hazardous Waste Specialists provide daily lead direction.

This job is an essential part of Metro’s work to manage the region’s solid waste, also known as garbage and recycling. Metro’s Waste Prevention and Environmental Services department (WPES) meets this responsibility in part by processing some of the region’s garbage and recycling. WPES is guided by the 2030 Regional Waste Plan and is committed to leading with equity in everything we do.

To learn about Hazardous Waste collection, watch this video that shows how we process hazardous waste and this video of a community collection event.

As the Hazardous Waste Technician, you will:

• Serve the community, protect people and the environment by collecting hazardous materials from residents and small businesses.
• Work as a team to safely and properly identify, accept, receive, sort, inspect, process, package, manifest and dispose of hazardous waste by all state and federal regulations.
• Correctly use personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators, and keep PPE clean and in good working condition (Metro provides employees with all necessary PPE.)
• May be involved in testing unknown hazardous waste in the lab to classify it for safe disposal.
• Provide information and answer customers’ hazardous waste questions in person, by phone or email.
• Participate in neighborhood hazardous waste collection events and outreach activities.
• Keep routine records such as incident reports and daily operational forms.
• Prepare inventory counts, reports, and labpack documents.
• Inspect, maintain and safely operate facility equipment including, but not limited to: material handling equipment, waste processing equipment, monitoring equipment, pallet jacks and hand tools.
• May support staff in responding to emergencies, chemical releases or spills in the facility or transfer station.

Attributes for success

• Enjoys variety in their work and helping people.
• A strong team orientation and wants to help and support coworkers.
• Prioritizes working safely and following safety policies, practices and procedures. Ability to learn and remember complex information.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining respectful working relationships with coworkers, customers, contractors, haulers, community partners, Metro staff and the public.
• Basic knowledge of common software programs such as Word, Excel and Outlook or similar.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and,
• One year of specialized training or experience in a field related to hazardous waste management, or
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Working Conditions

Hazardous Waste Technicians work indoors and outdoors in all weather. They serve drive-up customers and unload materials from all kinds of cars and trucks. Hazardous Waste facilities and collection events can be loud and can smell of vehicle exhaust and chemicals. This is a highly physical position, and technicians often must work while wearing protective equipment or clothing such as safety shoes, safety glasses, Tyvek suits, nitrile gloves, and respirators that can limit normal movements. Metro provides Hazardous Waste Technicians with all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for the job.

The job may require frequent or continuous standing, stooping, bending, twisting, walking, talking, sitting, feeling, grasping, handling and good general hearing. Activities also require occasional reaching, feeling, repetitive motions of the hands/wrists, kneeling, climbing, and the ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds, and push and/or pull up to 1,000 pounds using material handling equipment.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• More than one year of experience sorting, identifying, and processing hazardous waste.
• Experience with chemical analysis, lab work, chemistry and/or working with radiation.
• Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification.
• Knowledge of hazardous material regulations set by the Department of Transportation, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• An Associate degree and/or coursework in chemistry, environmental science, or natural science.
• Current Oregon Commercial Driver License (CDL).
• Incident Command System (ICS) training and/or emergency response experience.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• Responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments
• Reference check
• Background records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The rate of pay for this position is $32.77 per hour, step 1. of the Hazardous Waste Technician salary range.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME. It is classified as a Hazardous Waste Technician position. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Carrie Gundermann

Email: carrie.gundermann@oregonmetro.gov

Additional Information

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Non-discrimination?in hiring decisions

Metro is committed to equal employment?opportunity?and?complies with?all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions – including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation – must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.??

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

This position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will be required to work onsite and at times have the option to work away from your assigned work location. The specific schedule and balance of onsite and telework will be discussed with the hiring manager at the time of offer. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. Please note, the designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.

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Metro

As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.

This is a variable hour position with no guarantee of hours. The position is eligible for these benefits:

• Paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement if eligible and qualified.
• No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
• Employee Assistance Program

Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.

Learn more about employee benefits.

Some variable hour positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.
View union contracts here.