Metro Garbage and Recycling Planner (close 7/19)

Garbage and Recycling System Planner – Information and Analysis

Salary $60,590.40 - $103,708.80 Annually

Location Portland, OR

Job Type Full Time

Department Property and Environmental Services

Job Number 2019-0343/0344/0345-PES

Closing

7/19/2019 5:00 PM Pacific

Position summary

Two full-time positions are available. These positions will be filled at the Assistant, Associate or Senior Solid Waste Planner level, depending on the successful candidates' qualifications. Appointments are typically made at or near the beginning of the salary range.

Assistant pay range: $60,590.40 - $81,244.80
Associate pay range: $66,809.60 - $89,564.80 annually
Senior pay range: $77,396.80 - $103,708.80 annually
Pay ranges reflect rates effective July 1, 2019

About You:

  • Do you enjoy collecting, analyzing and reporting information to help people make better decisions?

  • Can you evaluate programs, identify trends and organize information to illustrate how government policies can and will serve the greater public good?

  • Can you tell a clear and concise story using numbers, charts and maps?

  • Are you motivated to find better ways to measure environmental impacts and equitable outcomes?

  • Do you want to figure out how to reduce waste and make the most of our material resources?

 
About Us

Metro is looking for a creative, experienced, team-oriented information and analysis expert to help support and monitor the 2030 Regional Waste Plan – the region's vision and blueprint for reducing waste, protecting the environment and human health, and providing excellent garbage and recycling services for everyone.
 
Metro is responsible for implementing the plan, working with local communities, residents and businesses to ensure safe and equitable progress toward the plan's goals.

About the Work

As a Garbage and Recycling System Planner (also known as a Solid Waste Planner), you will work on technical and analytical projects that support operational and policy decisions across the many facets of regional garbage and recycling. You'll apply your skills in research design, impact evaluation, statistical analysis, database design, stakeholder engagement, and reporting, working with an outstanding network of staff, partners and consultants. You will build a broad understanding of the regional public-private garbage and recycling system and Metro's important roles in it.
 
Are you the right person for the job? We're looking for someone with excellent project management skills, expertise in qualitative and quantitative methods, and a keen interest in using data to inform and make sound, equitable decisions. We're looking for someone who is eager to roll up their sleeves to tame a wayward spreadsheet and design an automated data report. We're looking for a creative problem solver with a proven track record of implementing new solutions and completing projects. And we are looking for a person with sharp communication skills – someone who can describe complex concepts in simple terms and who will be an effective ambassador for Metro, sharing information and engaging with a wide variety of audiences.

Here are some examples of projects you might work on:
 
Waste Characterization Studies: Formal research in which garbage is sampled and sorted into categories like paper, glass, plastic and food, and analyzed. Results are used to inform waste reduction strategies, improve recovery efforts and evaluate program impacts.
 
Program Evaluation: Metro Council unanimously approved the region's 2030 Regional Waste Plan in March 2019. The plan includes indicators that will be used to evaluate Metro's progress toward the plan's goals and the impact the plan has on our community. The Information and Analysis team supports all aspects of indicator definition, measurement, collection and reporting.
 
Solid Waste Information System Redesign: Metro uses a complex custom relational database to track transaction-level data about waste disposal. We are currently wrapping up a needs assessment for a more robust, flexible, integrated system, and we expect to embark on a significant effort to redesign and build a new system over the next two to three years.

At Metro, we hire a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive.

Application Requirements: (1) Electronic application, (2) answers to supplemental questions, (3) resume and (4) cover letter describing your qualifications as they relate to the duties of this position.

Essential Job Duties

An employee in this position must be able to perform all of the essential job duties listed below with or without reasonable accommodation; however, this list is not intended to include all of the specific tasks which an employee in this position may be expected to perform.
 
All Levels:

  • Fulfills Metro's employee values of Public Service, Excellence, Teamwork, Respect, Innovation, and Sustainability. These duties include, but are not limited to, maintaining positive relationships, respecting diversity of ideas and perspectives of others, and demonstrating sustainable practices.


Assistant Planner – Performs duties primarily under the lead direction of senior staff:

  • Collects, organizes, and assists with interpretation of qualitative and quantitative information.

  • Maintains and updates spreadsheets, databases, information graphics, and reports.

  • Assists with measurement and reporting on project and program performance.

  • Understands public policy and planning strategies related to garbage and recycling issues.

  • Answers technical and routine inquiries; provides information to agencies, contractors, consultants, and the public as directed.


Associate Planner - Performs duties under limited direction and also under the lead direction of senior staff:

  • Conducts research to inform garbage and recycling projects, policies, and recommendations. Analyzes and interprets data and develops recommendations.

  • Supports the design and completion of research studies, evaluations, information systems, and policy recommendations.

  • Designs and produces reports and information graphics including graphs, charts, and maps.

  • Collects, organizes, and interprets qualitative and quantitative technical information.

  • Measures and reports on project and program performance.

  • Understands public policy and planning strategies related to garbage and recycling issues.

  • Liaises between Metro staff, contractors, consultants, and the public to provide and gather information.


Senior Planner - Performs duties independently with limited direction, as a lead, and as support for a team:

  • Develops and organizes project plans related to analysis, modeling, evaluation, and information systems. Includes developing project scopes and objectives involving multiple stakeholders.

  • Leads the design and completion of research studies, evaluations, information systems, and policy recommendations.

  • Designs and produces reports and information graphics including graphs, charts, and maps.

  • Measures and reports on project and program performance.

  • Conducts quantitative and qualitative analysis to support operations management and policy making.

  • Prepares white papers summarizing complex technical analysis of various solid waste issues; presents results to technical, policy, community groups, and elected officials.

  • Maintains current understanding of public policy and planning strategies related to materials management and solid waste issues.

  • Coordinates internal resources and third parties/vendors to execute projects within time and budget.


This position is represented by AFSCME 3580 and is classified as an Assistant, Associate or Senior Solid Waste Planner (click to read the full classification). Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.

Minimum Requirements

Assistant Solid Waste Planner
One year of relevant experience including research, analysis and report writing AND a bachelor's degree in science, public administration or related field; OR any combination of experience and education that provides the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job. 

Associate Solid Waste Planner 
Two years of experience including research, analysis, and report writing or public policy development AND a bachelor's degree in science, public administration or related field; OR any combination of experience and education that provides the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job.  

Senior Solid Waste Planner
Three years of experience in solid waste, project management or public policy development AND a bachelor's degree in science, public administration or related field; OR any combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job.

Preferred Qualifications - All Levels

  • Strong collaborative skills and a demonstrated ability to form and maintain partnerships and to work effectively with others on a common task

  • Knowledge and experience developing and applying qualitative and quantitative methodologies and methods

  • Demonstrated data visualization skills

  • Experience in indicator development and data analytics

  • Relational Database, GIS, modeling, scripting experience

  • Project management experience

  • Experience working government agencies

  • Experience developing public policy

  • Knowledge and experience in applying a racial equity framework to measurement and evaluation

  • Demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of low-income families, immigrants, and communities of color


Knowledge, skills and abilities:

Assistant level

  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

  • Knowledge of general solid waste issues and processes

  • Ability to compile information into reports and presentations

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team

  • Ability to collect and perform analysis and make recommendations

  • Knowledge of and ability to use a computer


Associate level - the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above and

  • Deeper knowledge of solid waste issues and processes

  • Ability to organize and conduct solid waste research studies independently

  • Ability to present findings via reports and formal presentations

  • Knowledge of public policy development processes and practices


Senior level - The knowledge, skills and abilities listed above and

  • In-depth knowledge of solid waste issues and processes

  • Ability to function as a lead over other professional staff

  • Ability to develop, organize, and coordinate solid waste projects and studies

  • Ability to represent Metro at meetings with a variety of groups, committees and elected officials

  • Ability to assist management in policy analysis and formulation

  • Knowledge of public policy development processes and practices

Additional Information

Working conditions: Duties are primarily performed in an office environment, while sitting at a desk or computer terminal, but will involve occasional to frequent visits to solid waste facilities in all weather conditions, sometimes after hours. Personal protective equipment is required for all site visits. After-hours meeting attendance is not the norm, but may be required occasionally.

Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570.
 
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources at 503-797-1570.
 
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): New employees will pay the employee portion of the PERS contribution.
 
Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
 
Criminal background check: In order to protect the wellbeing of its employees, the public and agency assets, Metro may conduct criminal background checks on candidates selected for Metro positions. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be considered on a case by case basis. A background check will only be conducted if you are selected as a finalist for a position. If selected as a finalist, you will be contacted by Human Resources prior to the initiation of a background check.
 
Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law.  Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
 
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer