Program Education Specialist (Waste Reduction)

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County • Athens, GA

10h • Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this job is to provide education to students, residents, and businesses on solid waste programs related to reduce, reuse, and organics diversion programs, including but not limited to the Teacher Reuse Store, Repair Café, and Commercial Composting. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, directing all promotional/educational efforts related to the comprehensive waste reduction plan, supporting requirements of Solid Waste Policy SW-021, and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in the environmental field, public relations, journalism, or marketing with two years of related work experience required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must have or have ability to complete appropriate waste reduction training (SWANA, TRUE, or other) within first six (6) months of employment.
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the Solid Waste Department as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Program Education Specialist.
• Knowledge of the terminology used within the department.
• Knowledge of maps, graphs, charts, grant proposals, route sheets, time sheets, fact sheets, etc., and procedures and methods as required in the performance of duties.
• Knowledge of software packages as necessary in the performance of job duties.
• Knowledge of the use of office equipment, such as computers, copy machines, etc.
• Knowledge of print process from pre-flight to post-production.
• Knowledge of design software, page design, and layout.
• Skills in utilizing various word processing, spreadsheet, database, publishing, graphics, and/or other software programs relevant to the position.
• Skills in public relations, interpersonal relations, oral/written communications, and delivering public presentations.
• Ability to compile, organize, prepare, and maintain an assortment of records, reports, and information in an effective manner and according to departmental and/or governmental regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and other staff members.
• Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations.
• Ability to handle required mathematical calculations.
• Able to utilize and understand computer applications and techniques as necessary in the completion of daily assignments.
• Ability to plan, organize, and/or prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Ability to plan and coordinate programs involving large groups of people.
• Ability to comprehend and apply regulations and procedures of the department.
• Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment, including a computer, printer, calculator, copy machine, two-way radio, telephone, and CHaRM equipment (baler, densifier, forklift, bulb crusher, and other processing equipment when needed).
• walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Applicant must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally (0-33% of workday), and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently (34-66% of workday).
• Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
• Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to hear, speak, and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from supervisors, and giving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants.
• Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, waste audits, maps, grant proposals, time sheets, graphical displays, scientific and technical reports, legislative and informational documentation, directions, instructions, methods, and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare graphs, technical reports relating to the environment, letters, reports, forms, spreadsheets, news releases, press releases, public service announcements, brochures, flyers, and work orders using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to groups of people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
• Intelligence: Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgment in the absence of management.
• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical, or professional languages, including recycling waste reduction industry jargon, public relations, graphic design, and desktop publishing terminology.
• Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; utilize and determine percentages, and interpret graphs.
• Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with artists instruments and office equipment.
• Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using office equipment. Requires the ability to use the keyboard, lift, bend, push, and pull objects or materials using body parts as the position necessitates.
• Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as computers, fax machines, and other office equipment, and artists instruments. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
• Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.
• Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone and two-way radio.

Nice To Haves

• When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC's safe driving policy.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements strategies to recruit and grow commercial composting customers, including conducting outreach, site visits, and waste assessments to expand organics diversion programs.
• Provides onboarding, education, and ongoing technical support to commercial and residential organics diversion participants to ensure proper material separation, reduce contamination, and maintain long-term program participation.
• Coordinates and promotes public food scrap drop-off sites and other organics diversion initiatives, including tracking participation, improving program performance, and increasing community engagement.
• Develops and coordinates distribution of instructional and promotional material for Solid Waste Department waste reduction programs related to reduce, reuse, repair, and organics diversion (creates logos, images, PR materials, and signage).
• Directs advertising related to the Solid Waste Department's compost and reuse programs; includes managing and maintaining website and social media pages, promotional campaigns, and sending out regular email updates with a list and photos of new items in the Teacher Reuse Store.
• Solicits donations from the community, including individuals, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies for the Teacher Reuse Store.
• Assists with public education and outreach efforts related to the Solid Waste Department's waste reduction programs (reduce, reuse, recycle, and composting in both the residential and commercial sectors), including tours, classroom lessons, workshops, and presentations.
• Conducts workshops and presentations for community groups, specific to reuse and organics diversion.
• Serves as community reuse liaison, to connect donors with potential recipients; when possible, materials can go directly from donor to recipient.
• Assists with strategic planning for developing reuse programming, including the Creative Reuse Center (2020 SPLOST-approved project).
• Works with local organizations to coordinate special reuse events (such as Repair Café), including coordinating volunteers and developing promotional materials for events.
• Oversees the daily operations of the Teacher Reuse Store and exercises functional supervision over Part-time Program Leader.
• Exercises functional supervision over recycling Waste Reduction Division interns, in the absence of the Waste Reduction Coordinator.
• Assists with preparing budget proposals, grant applications, and award submissions related to the Waste Reduction Division’s educational programming, and supports research efforts such as surveys, polls, and focus groups.
• Assists with tours of solid waste facilities (recycling, composting, and landfill facilities) for school groups, college classes, and the general public.
• Assists Waste Reduction Coordinator with the ACC Green School program and school waste reduction programs.
• Coordinates and promotes distribution of zero waste kits and provides technical assistance as needed.
• Attends conferences, seminars, and classes to remain abreast of current developments in waste reduction/public relations.
• Presents at professional conferences, seminars, and workshops to highlight and promote the work of the Solid Waste Department and Waste Reduction Division.
• Provides information and other customer services regarding waste reduction opportunities to students, citizens, and businesses via email, phone, and in-person.
• Assists customers with unloading recycling materials.
• Assists division employees with processing of collected recyclables.
• Performs clerical duties related to the position.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Benefits

• FLSA STATUS: Exempt - Administrative
• CLASSIFICATION: Personnel System – Requires satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
• PAY GRADE: 117
• ACC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.
• ACC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Leah Jagatic, HR Coordinator, Human Resources, 762-400-6370 or [email protected] .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level