Zero Waste Specialist

Job Description:

Zero Waste Specialist

Description

Description

About Zero Waste Palo Alto: Zero Waste Palo Alto in the City’s Environmental Services Division is recruiting a team member with a passion for data reconciliation, communicating with the public the requirements of materials management, and with experience working with businesses to reach compliance with solid waste, compost and recycling requirements. To learn more about Zero Waste Palo Alto, click here.

About the Position: The Zero Waste Specialist is a part-time position that assists with billing reconciliation and conducts field inspections related to refuse enforcement and customer inquiries. This position, with direction and supervision, is responsible for:

• Reviews and assists with reconciliation of refuse customer data to ensure accuracy in billing
• Investigates and resolves service and billing discrepancies by collaborating with internal teams to determine billing adjustments
• Reviews service issues related to neighbors leaving their waste containers out in the public right-of-way, illegal dumping, unauthorized debris boxes and customer waste sorting issues
• Conducts field inspections, takes pictures, communicates with residents and businesses through telephone, email and warning letters, and maintains details in a database
• Works with the City's contracted refuse hauler to conduct service audits in the field and resolve issues related to billing, waste containers, refuse enclosures and deconstruction requirements
• May work community special events to assist with Zero Waste outreach.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Knowledge of zero waste principles and solid waste management
• Experience in public communication and waste industry
• Excellent communication, teamwork skills and eagerness to learn
• Positive, detailed oriented and with excellent organizational skills
• Experience in Microsoft Office programs, specifically Excel.
• Able to work occasional weekends and early mornings

This is a Limited Hourly non-benefited position and not to exceed 999 hours per fiscal year (July - June) or 960 for retirees. The number of hours per week and schedule will be determined based on the assignment.

Shift Information: Part Time Hourly In-Person M-F (20 hours per week). To learn more about the limited hourly benefits click here

Essential Duties

Essential Functions and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Communicate zero waste requirements to businesses, the public, and City staff.
• Ensure customers are correctly billed for refuse services, properly sorting and managing their waste, and meeting municipal code requirements.
• Assist in writing letters, notices, compliance agreements, and administrative penalties.
• Conduct and document audit of waste containers.
• Perform field inspections of projects to ensure conformance with building plan requirements for refuse enclosures and refuse waste stations.
• Perform field inspections of businesses including meeting with managers or business owners to discuss proper procedures for when and how refuse carts are placed out for service.
• Conduct field inspections of construction projects to ensure compliance with the City's deconstruction requirements.
• Contact construction contractors and/or sub-contractors to communicate the City's debris box requirements.
• Coordinate development and research of solid waste reduction activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid California Driver's License
• Two years of college
• Two years of work experience in the solid waste field.

Supplemental Information

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

This is a non-benefited position.

Closing Date/Time: 7/11/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$25.00 - $30.00 Hourly