Hazardous Waste Technician

Seminole County/Board of County Commissioners•Longwood, FL

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Environmental Programs Coordinator, the Hazardous Waste Technician performs skilled technical work involving the collection, identification, handling, segregation, storage, processing, and shipment preparation of household hazardous waste, electronic waste, and other regulated waste streams. The position also involves facility operations, equipment inspections, recordkeeping, waste consolidation, packaging, and providing customer service and disposal guidance to residents at the Household Hazardous Waste collection facility. Salary depends on the qualifications of candidates who exceed the minimum requirements; additional compensation is available based on licensure. The technician handles and prepares waste for appropriate storage, recycling, or disposal; maintains safe and orderly work areas; communicates with staff using two-way radios; and uses required personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection when applicable. The position operates and maintains vehicles and equipment, moves materials by hand or equipment within lifting restrictions, transports tires and propane tanks to the landfill, and assists with waste shipments. The technician also helps secure facilities and survey damage following natural disasters, and maintains logs and files for compliance and accountability. Employees are considered essential personnel during emergencies and may be assigned alternate duties.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and two years of experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience providing the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.
Successfully complete required HAZWOPER training within six months of employment and maintain required refresher training thereafter.
Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely, orally and in writing, with the public and people with varying levels of technical knowledge.
Maintain attention to detail, follow directions, prioritize work, and perform multiple assigned tasks.
Ability to perform the physical functions required by the job.
Ability to work weekends and holidays and maintain a flexible schedule.
Ability to operate and maintain material-handling equipment, including electric and diesel-powered forklifts, pallet jacks, and ladders.
Possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.
Safely operate county vehicles in accordance with U.S. DOT and applicable local, state, and federal requirements.
Attend Seminole County required trainings; position-specific departmental training may also be required.

Responsibilities

Receive, identify, sort, segregate, process, and prepare household hazardous waste, electronic waste, batteries, used oil, fluorescent lamps, and other accepted waste streams for storage, recycling, or disposal.
Respond to public inquiries and provide information and education about proper hazardous waste disposal while delivering customer service and representing the Seminole County Solid Waste Department positively.
Follow health and safety policies and practices and maintain a clean, safe, and orderly work area.
Operate and monitor two-way radio equipment to communicate with staff and coordinate daily operations.
Wear required personal protective equipment and successfully complete required respirator fit testing for respiratory protection use.
Package waste efficiently and inspect drums and other waste containers for integrity, labeling, and regulatory compliance.
Safely operate and maintain trucks, forklifts, pumps, generators, compactors, pressure washers, and other vehicles and equipment.
Load and unload materials into containers or onto trucks by hand or equipment, using appropriate lifting methods and observing lifting weight restrictions.
Transport tires and propane tanks to the landfill location.
Assist in coordinating shipment of hazardous waste, e-scrap, and other waste streams.
Secure facilities in preparation for natural disasters and assist with damage surveys afterward.
Develop and maintain logs and files to ensure compliance and accountability.
Perform other related work as required and, during emergencies, perform alternate duties as needed.