Compost /Recycling Facility Assistant

Performs intermediate technical work assisting the Compost & Recycling Facility Manager with maintaining the Wright County Compost & Recycling Facility and programs including the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and e-waste programs, recycling area, and the compost/brush tarmac. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Environmental Health Supervisor. Limited oversight is exercised over Temporary Staff. 

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

Assists with the daily operations of the Household Hazardous Wastes (HHS) and E-Waste Acceptance programs and the Recycling Drop-Off program, including inspecting and sorting HHW and recycling materials, assisting the public with unloading materials, and marketing or properly disposing of recyclable materials, residual compost, and rejected materials.

Serves as a Team Leader, assigning particular work to Temporary Staff and providing training and work direction.

Assists with the proper composting of brush materials received at the Facility; operates a front-end loader to pile and turn brush and compost; loads trucks that are picking up compost and wood chips.

Assists with developing, implementing, promoting, and conducting compost and recycling education programs for youth, families, and special populations throughout the County.

Assists with maintaining the facilities and equipment.

Follows State guidelines; establishes and implements procedures for operations of the Facility and maintains required records.

Provides work direction to temporary personnel assigned to the Facility assigning work tasks and ensuring that employees know and follow Department and County rules as well as utilize sound work and safety practices.

Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Education and Experience

Associates/Technical degree in environmental science, or related field, and one year of experience in environmental materials handling, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Associates/Technical degree is preferred.

Special Requirements

Household Hazardous Waste Initial Certification within one year of employment.

Household Hazardous Waste Very Small Quantity Generator Certification within one year of employment.

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Certification within one year of employment.

Forklift Training certification within six months of employment.

A valid driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of hazardous waste management, composting, and recycling processes; knowledge of local, State, and Federal laws, regulations, and codes relating to recycling, hazardous waste, and environmental protection and OSHA requirements; intermediate-level computer skills in Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn computer systems  specific to the County and Department; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences including public groups, compose/draft correspondence and reports, and exchange and/or convey complex concepts and information; reading comprehension skills sufficient to read and interpret a wide variety of documents; interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and or convey information, give and receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships;

ability to operate heavy equipment; ability to work with minimal supervision; ability to pay attention to detail and effectively organize time and anticipate, plan, and successfully respond to changing circumstances; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 50 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and lifting, frequently requires reaching with hands and arms and pushing or pulling and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and tasting or smelling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm’s length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, frequently requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles and exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), working with explosives, exposure to vibration and wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).

Salary : $25 - $35