Solid Waste Outreach Specialist

COLUMBIA COUNTY; Saint Helens (OR); On-site; USD 58,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia County in Oregon is seeking a Solid Waste Outreach Specialist to join the Waste Management team. This full-time Civil Service position collaborates with the Solid Waste Division to educate households, businesses, and schools on waste reduction, recycling, and hazardous waste management.

The role designs educational materials, conducts trainings, and promotes programs through events and media. A two-year degree in communication, public relations, education, or related field plus two

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a two-year degree in communication, public relations, education, or related field.
• Two years’ of increasingly responsible experience in the development, coordination, and delivery of public information and communication, or community outreach programs.
• Any satisfactory combination of experience and training may be substituted for the above requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a variety of waste reduction programs.
• Educate households, businesses, schools, and community groups on waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and hazardous waste management.
• Conduct presentations and trainings, design educational materials using graphic design software, and promote programs through events and media outlets.

Skills

Graphic design

Verbal and written communication

Public outreach

Organizational skills

Education

Two-year degree in communication/public relations/education

Tools

Adobe Suite

Canva

Microsoft Office

Job description

Announcement # 2026-026

Closing Date: November 6, 2026

Salary Range: $5,183 to $6,408 Monthly

The SOLID WASTE OUTREACH SPECIALIST position is full-time, 40 hours, Civil Service, and Union represented.

Columbia Countyis looking for a creative, collaborative, and versatile outreach specialist to join our Waste Management team. The Public Works Department oversees a wide range of tasks associated with the county’s public infrastructure. Divisions within the department include Road Maintenance, Engineering, and Solid Waste Management.

The Solid Waste Division plans, organizes, and directs the county’s recycling, waste reduction, reuse, and household hazardous waste program. The Division also maintains, updates, and administers the county’s 20-year Solid Waste Management Plan and its Solid Waste Ordinance. Solid waste collection franchises within the unincorporated area of the County are also overseen by the Division, which also operates the Columbia County Transfer Station for collection and transport of garbage to area landfills.

DUTIES

Work with the Solid Waste Program Coordinator to design and implement a variety of waste reduction programs including adhering to waste-related legislative changes. Educate and provide on-going support to households, businesses, schools, and community groups on waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and hazardous waste management. Conduct presentations and trainings, design educational materials utilizing graphic design software, and promote waste reduction programs through events and media outlets.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Equivalent to a two-year degree in communication, public relations, education, or related field. Two years’ of increasingly responsible experience in the development, coordination, and delivery of public information and communication, or community outreach programs. Any satisfactory combination of experience and training, which demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted for the above requirements.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and experience in environmental management, communications, graphic design, or other public-facing outreach education preferred. Team player willing to work collaboratively toward shared goals and be open to diverse ideas and perspectives. Receive constructive feedback in a positive manner.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable under the county’s liability policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of environmental issues related to solid waste disposal. Knowledge of or willingness to learn Department of Environmental Quality regulations, federal rules, and regulations related to solid waste.

Skill in graphic design software such as Adobe Suite, Canva, and Microsoft Office products. Attention to detail is a must.

Ability to:

• Organize, prioritize, and produce accurate work products and meet deadlines.
• Express ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing. Use sound judgment.
• Adapt to change or new situations and openly acknowledge and work through conflict. Accept responsibility and work well with ambiguity.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Act in such a manner as to maintain the confidentiality of the records and issues and other matters that may be encountered or discussed.
• Develop and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, county officials, and the public.
• Enforce all laws, regulations, ordinances, and standards consistently to ensure compliance and to protect the public’s health and safety.
• Receive constructive feedback in a positive manner.
• Multi-task, prioritize, and accomplish quickly and efficiently a large number of diverse tasks.
• Meet requests for information and task completion from a diverse clientele in a timely manner.

www.ColumbiaCountyOR.gov