Zero Waste Specialist

City Of Gainesville, FL; United States; On-site; USD 45,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site fitness centers

Tuition reimbursement

On-site medical staff

Wellness program

Job summary

The City of Gainesville is seeking a Community Builder to coordinate zero waste programs, curbside recycling, and education initiatives. This role involves public engagement with neighbors, businesses, and municipal facilities to advance recycling and waste reduction.

Responsibilities include producing outreach content, recordings, and social media updates, plus assisting in data analysis and contract oversight for solid waste services.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in public administration, planning, economics, environmental studies, sustainability or related subject.
• Two (2) years’ experience in solid waste, recycling, zero waste, environmental education, or related industry.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer support and respond to questions from the public by phone, email, or online about recycling, solid waste services, and general zero waste information.
• Promote recycling and zero waste initiatives to individual residents, multifamily complexes, municipal facilities, and businesses.
• Oversee the Adopt-a-Street program by recording and filing cleanup reports, monitoring group activities, preparing cleanup supplies.
• Research and write content education materials, including weekly Zero Waste News articles, Adopt-A-Street newsletters, and assist in developing various promotional campaigns.
• Produce social media posts, educational videos, and maintain website information for solid waste and recycling activities and services.
• Respond and resolve issues related to the City’s internal municipal office paper recycling and food waste collection programs.
• Assist with the recording and monitoring of monthly commercial franchise data, analyze tonnage reports and participation data, and assist with developing the City’s strategic plan and zero waste efforts.
• Conduct field assignments, including residential curbside recycling auditing, measuring food waste set out weights, conducting commercial waste assessments, and carrying out field checks related to the City’s Mandatory Recycling Ordinance.
• Support the coordination of seasonal programs and special events recycling programs.
• Confers with solid waste haulers, businesses, citizens, owners, or occupants relative to the solid waste contract, solid waste ordinance requirements, violations to be corrected, or inspection findings.
• Designs and implements programs to encourage recycling and waste reduction in conformance with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and local, state and federal laws.
• Interprets the provisions of the solid waste contract as applies to solid waste operations, complaints, disputes and violations.
• Hears and investigates solid waste complaints and maintains records of findings.

Skills

Effective communication

Zero waste knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration / related field

Tools

Recycling Coordinator Certification (Florida)

Job description

If you are an Internal City Employee, Retiree or Dependent/Survivor of a City Employee

Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville— you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Department: GG_Public Works: Engineering Services

Salary Range Minimum: $44,907.20

Salary Range Maximum: $72,555.38

Closing Date: 10/30/2026

Job Details: This is technical and administrative work coordinating implementing Zero waste programs including curbside, commercial, and multifamily recycling, food waste diversion, and yard trash programs. This position assists in the management solid waste and recycling collection contracts and education about ordinances relating to solid waste. The positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under general supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from higher classes by its emphasis on Solid Waste/Recycling Programs and from lower classes by its responsibility of direct interaction with the neighbors, businesses, and the public in general.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job. Performance of lower level duties may be required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provide customer support and respond to questions from the public by phone, email, or online about recycling, solid waste services, and general zero waste information.
• Promote recycling and zero waste initiatives to individual residents, multifamily complexes, municipal facilities, and businesses.
• Oversee the Adopt-a-Street program by recording and filing cleanup reports, monitoring group activities, preparing cleanup supplies.
• Research and write content education materials, including weekly Zero Waste News articles, Adopt-A-Street newsletters, and assist in developing various promotional campaigns.
• Produce social media posts, educational videos, and maintain website information for solid waste and recycling activities and services.
• Respond and resolve issues related to the City’s internal municipal office paper recycling and food waste collection programs.
• Assist with the recording and monitoring of monthly commercial franchise data, analyze tonnage reports and participation data, and assist with developing the City’s strategic plan and zero waste efforts.
• Conduct field assignments, including residential curbside recycling auditing, measuring food waste set out weights, conducting commercial waste assessments, and carrying out field checks related to the City’s Mandatory Recycling Ordinance.
• Support the coordination of seasonal programs and special events recycling programs.
• Confers with solid waste haulers, businesses, citizens, owners, or occupants relative to the solid waste contract, solid waste ordinance requirements, violations to be corrected, or inspection findings.
• Designs and implements programs to encourage recycling and waste reduction in conformance with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and local, state and federal laws.
• Interprets the provisions of the solid waste contract as applies to solid waste operations, complaints, disputes and violations.
• Hears and investigates solid waste complaints and maintains records of findings.
• Confers and coordinates with designated supervisor on organizational policy questions.
• Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• May be required to attend meetings outside business hours.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in public administration, planning, economics, environmental studies, sustainability or related subject, and Two (2) years’ experience in solid waste, recycling, zero waste, environmental education, or related industry.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Certification as a Recycling Coordinator by the State of Florida is desired. Licenses Valid Driver's License required upon hire. Valid State of Florida Driver's License required within 30 days of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices relating to zero waste concepts, solid waste collection, recycling and yard trash programs. Some experience with the education and promotion of community programs. Ability to interpret and implement ordinances and other regulations with fairness, tact, and impartiality. Considerable knowledge of office practices and procedures. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to work effectively with, department heads, representatives of other agencies, other city employees, and the general public.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is both indoor in an office setting and outdoors assessing properties for solid waste and recycling service. This includes typical weather conditions. Employee may be required to examine solid waste visually and physically. Note: May Require Assessment(s). May fill multiple positions. May establish an eligibility list.

BENEFITS

All ‘regular’ employees are eligible for traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also offer great things like on-site fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical staff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy. Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292. Veterans' Preference Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans’ Preference. If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at [e-mail] or by calling 352-334-5077.

TEAM AND CAREERS

The City of Gainesville proudly employs more than 1,500 dedicated community builders who work every day to make a positive impact on our community. Our team includes professionals from a wide range of fields, from creative innovators and financial experts to public safety personnel and critical infrastructure engineers. We offer diverse and rewarding career opportunities across many departments and service areas, including General Government, Gainesville Police Department, Public Works, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Information Technology, Gainesville Fire Department, Regional Transit System, and more. No matter your background or expertise, you'll find meaningful opportunities to grow your career while serving the Gainesville community.