Program Specialist – Recycling and Resource Solutions (Hybrid)

County of Anoka; United States; Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Flexible holidays

Health insurance

Hybrid work

Pension plan

Job summary

Anoka County seeks a dedicated environmental services professional to support organics waste management and recycling goals. The role emphasizes community engagement, data-driven improvements, and collaboration with partners to advance public health and environmental objectives.

The position is full-time, exempt, and hybrid, with opportunities for advancement and a comprehensive benefits package. Interviews are planned for early November 2026.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental protection, sustainability, science, planning, public administration, business administration, or related field.
• Two years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience in solid waste management, recycling, or waste prevention.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Valid driver’s license and vehicle available for business use.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage the day-to-day operations of Anoka County’s organics, and education activities including the Recycling Ambassador program.
• Lead efforts to develop and implement new strategic solutions to organics waste management programming.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with organics management rules and regulations on behalf of the County.
• Oversee the county’s compost site contract to ensure proper management and compliance with contractual specifications.
• Serve as a liaison between the compost site contractor and the county.
• Assist with developing and monitoring the organics management programming budget.
• Collaborate with county partners, residents, and the commercial sector to increase organics waste diversion.
• Conduct onsite visits to assess organics waste management opportunities.
• Provide technical assistance on organics diversion including data gathering and analysis.
• Oversee and increase participation in the Recycling Ambassador program.
• Assist with program education activities and unit organized events.
• Participate in Public Health Emergency Preparedness trainings and exercises as needed.
• Participate in emergency preparedness and response activities as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Waste management

Emergency preparedness

Public health

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental protection/related field

Job description

Hiring range: $64,480 to $90,230.40 annually ($31.00 to $43.38 per hour). Starting rate will depend on experience, education, and qualifications. Advancement opportunities exist for individuals motivated to move up within Anoka County. Come join our team at Anoka County where you can serve your community while enjoying the benefits of work-life balance! This includes 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 holidays your first year.

Position Description

Find your path working for a department committed to the health and safety of the community.

This position assists with activities and partnerships needed to reach state mandated and county waste management and recycling goals. We are looking for an energic environmental services professional with a passion for customer service and experience with integrated waste management programs. Emergency Preparedness is a core Public Health responsibility. As a Human Services employee, your roles and responsibilities include: participating in Public Health Emergency Preparedness training and exercises, responding to notifications and activation drills during business hours and periodically outside of business hours, and responding to Public Health emergencies and department responsibilities at the time of need (during business hours, outside of business hours, on weekends and holidays) in order to protect the health and well-being of our residents. This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position.

Interviews will take place the week of November 2nd, 2026 for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Pay & Benefits

• Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 32: $64,480 to $90,230.40 annually ($31.00 to $43.38 per hour).
• 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.
• Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more at https://www.anokacountymn.gov/benefits
• Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.
• Pension plan and other retirement investment options.
• Advancement/professional development opportunities.

Work Location

This position will work at the Field Operations Building, located at 1530 Bunker Lake Blvd, Andover, MN 55304. This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work, with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.

Expected work hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Program Specialist.

• Independently manage the day-to-day operations of Anoka County’s organics, and education activities including the Recycling Ambassador program.
• Lead efforts to develop and implement new strategic solutions to organics waste management programming.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with organics management rules and regulations on behalf of the County.
• Oversee the county’s compost site contract to ensure that compost sites and organics drop-off programs are managed properly and within contractual specifications.
• Serve as a liaison between the compost site contractor and the county.
• Assist with developing and monitoring the organics management programming budget.
• Work with the county partners, residents, and the commercial sector within Anoka County to systematically increase organics waste diversion throughout the County.
• Conduct onsite visits to assess organics waste management opportunities.
• Provide technical assistance as it relates organics diversion including data gathering and data analysis.
• Oversee and increase participation in the county Recycling Ambassador program.
• Assist with program education activities and unit organized events.
• Participate in Public Health Emergency Preparedness trainings and exercises, respond to notifications and activation drills during business hours and periodically outside of business hours as needed.
• Participate in emergency preparedness and response activities as needed.

Qualifications and Requirements

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental protection, sustainability, science, planning, public administration, business administration, or related field.
• Two years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience in solid waste management, recycling, or waste prevention.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Valid driver’s license and vehicle available for business use.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• One or more years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience in project planning, project management, and contract management.
• Ability to analyze and problem solve.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

Standard office environment, travel to various county work sites and meetings as needed. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades and brightness. Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds. Assignments are sedentary, occasionally alternating between sitting, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling as required to perform job responsibilities. Frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work. Occasional lifting of 10-20 lbs. Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment. Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Selection Process

It is important that your application shows all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.

Pre-employment Requirements

Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

About Anoka County

As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, Anoka County thrives because of the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. United by our mission- Commitment to Excellence: Through collaborative efforts, we seek to improve lives and serve with care, integrity, and professionalism- we offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences. Together, we work toward a single purpose of serving Anoka County’s 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County! Hear from other Anoka County employees here.

Commitment to affirmative action and equal opportunity employment

Anoka County is committed to the principles of our affirmative action plan and equal employment opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further our affirmative action plan and equal employment opportunity. If you require accommodations or have any other questions regarding this job posting, please call the Anoka County Human Resources Department at 763-324-4300 and reference the posting title and number. Anoka County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy: https://www.anokacounty.us/401/Diversity-EEO Our team of over 2,000 employees is united by a common mission to preserve the public's trust. We do this by bringing our very best to work every day and serving Anoka County's citizens in a respectful, innovative and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County!