Recycling & Waste Technician

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VISION

El Paso County will be a trusted regional leader known for excellence in county service delivery.

PURPOSE

We provide essential public services to the Pikes Peak Region in support of our residents, businesses, and communities, enhancing the freedom for all to thrive.

VALUES

Service Focused • Collaborative • Accountable • Trustworthy • Transparent

Job Summary

Are you passionate about protecting the environment and making a real difference in your community? El Paso County is looking for a motivated and safety-conscious Environmental Services Technician to join our Household Hazardous Waste Facility and Recycles Program team. This is a unique, hands-on role where no two days look the same — you'll work directly with the public, manage and safely handle hazardous materials, support community recycling initiatives, and help keep El Paso County clean and safe for generations to come.

If you're someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys working both independently and as part of a team, and takes pride in doing meaningful work, this role is for you. We're looking for candidates with a high school diploma, a valid driver's license, and a willingness to obtain certifications in HAZWOPER, forklift operation, and respirator use within six months of hire — prior hazardous waste experience is a bonus! Join a team that is committed to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and public safety. Apply today and be part of something bigger!

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Meets and interfaces with customers at the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Interacts with the public in a professional and courteous manner; responds to inquiries appropriately. Provides and clarifies information as needed.
• Screens and accepts household hazardous waste from program participants. Properly identifies, classifies, and takes inventory of household hazardous products.
• Consolidates household hazardous products using lab-packing and loose-packing methods; ensures safety precautions are followed, including wearing Level B Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Bulks compatible materials by pouring off materials into containers, bulks, packs, and properly stores household hazardous waste.
• Screens and accepts business chemical waste from eligible Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQG) who meet Federal and State waste regulations. Properly identifies, classifies, inventories, and weighs accepted VSQG chemical products. Consolidates and packs waste in appropriate areas using approved containers while wearing Level B PPE and adhering to appropriate storage regulations.
• Cleans up spills according to health and safety standards at the facility, mobile collection site, or in coordination with the El Paso County Hazmat Team.
• Prepares hazardous waste for transport and disposal or recycling.
• Maintains facility cleanliness, adheres to proper health and safety standards, and abides by the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility Standard Operating Procedures.
• Promotes awareness and assists with participation in the County's environmental and recycling programs and projects.
• Performs collection and organization of recyclable materials from various facilities in a prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable manner; makes recommendations regarding recycling services and program improvements.
• Assists with community participation, events, and public awareness; serves as a representative of El Paso County Environmental Division.
• Prepares paperwork for invoicing.
• Provides administrative support as needed.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of environmental regulations. Ability to apply environmental services knowledge to develop program improvement strategies.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Must be detail-oriented and ensure accuracy in work.
• Must possess excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including the ability to deliver presentations and prepare written reports and proposals. Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in frequent contact with employees, outside agencies, and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, County staff, and the public.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and in a team environment.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including telephone, computer, copier, and fax machine, as well as audio-visual equipment, digital camera, and other equipment.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

• High school diploma or equivalent education.

• One year experience in hazardous waste management or related field.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess OSHA Forty Hour HAZWHOPER Certificate or obtain within six months of employment.
• Must possess forklift operation certification or obtain within six months of employment.
• Must possess Medical Monitoring Assessment for full-face respirator use or obtain within six months of employment.
• CPR and First Aid Certification preferred.

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, drug screen, and physical examination.

Work Conditions

Duties are performed in both an office and outdoor environment. Handles hazardous waste and household/business chemical waste on a regular basis. Must be able to stand for extended periods of time, bend, stoop, kneel, push, pull, and reach. Must be able to climb ladders, step over obstacles, step on and off machinery, and perform other physical duties as needed. Work may be performed outdoors; may be exposed to elements of nature, including cold, heat, rain, snow, wind, sleet, and ice. May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, or potentially hazardous or volatile situations. Must wear Level B PPE as required. Position may require work outside normal business hours including on-call, weekends, and/or holidays. Must be able to safely lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

The classification specification above is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities and minimum qualifications; specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and environmental conditions will vary depending on the needs of the department/office and the particular assignment. Changes to this document may only be made by a member of the Human Resources Department.

El Paso County is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer.

El Paso County adheres to Federal drug screening guidelines and requires a pre-employment drug screen.