Metro Hazardous Waste Technician (Closes 10/11)

Hazardous Waste Technician

Salary

$26.24 - $35.17 Hourly

Location

Metro Transfer Stations, OR

Job Type

Full Time

Department

Waste Prevention and Environmental Services

Job Number

2021-0331-WPES-FT/PT

Closing

10/11/2021 5:00 PM Pacific

Position summary

Metro is committed to ensuring the health and safety for our employees and our community. As a part of this commitment, Metro has implemented a vaccine requirement policy for employees, paid and unpaid interns and volunteers. Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is considered a minimum qualification requirement for Metro job applicants and this proof will be requested during the hiring process. View: Metro COVID-19 Vaccination policy (Download PDF reader)

If you require an accommodation under this policy for a medical condition or disability, or sincerely held religious belief, please email benefits.help@oregonmetro.gov

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple full-time positions and one part-time position at the Metro South Transfer Station (2001 Washington St., Oregon City, 97045) and Metro Central Transfer Station (6161 NW 61st Ave, Portland, 97210). Future positions may also be filled by successful candidates from this recruitment. These positions are eligible for benefits.

Are you ready to try something different? We need help protecting the things we love about this place we call home. If you want to ensure future Oregonians have access to clean air, water and land, we hope you will consider joining our team as a Hazardous Waste Technician.

Old gasoline, used lithium batteries, burnt out mercury light bulbs, forgotten pesticides, crumbling acid containers, surplus fireworks, used medical sharps, clogged spray cans, unwanted pool chemicals and leftover oil based paints, are household wastes that have hazardous properties. These wastes can be harmful to human health or the environment when disposed of improperly.  We serve the households and small businesses of the Metro region. Metro’s two household hazardous waste facilities safely collect and manage dangerous wastes before they can cause harm.

What will you do:
Hazardous Waste Technicians (Haz Cats) work as part of a team that unloads waste from customer vehicles then applies their training to accurately sort wastes and prepare them for safe and legal disposal. Activities occur mainly outside and are highly physical. Technicians always use personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for the task such as safety toe shoes, safety glasses, Tyvek suits, nitrile gloves, and respirators. Hazardous waste technicians are also on hand to respond to emergencies at the transfer stations. Work takes place at the hazardous waste facilities on the transfer station sites and at seasonal collection events throughout the area. This position reports to the Hazardous Waste Facility Supervisors. Hazardous Waste Specialists provide daily lead direction. 
 
A good technician is excited to learn new things, works safely by keeping track of what is happening around them, enjoys variety, likes to help people, prefers work that exercises their mind and their body, and communicates clearly and respectfully with their teammates and customers.

Are you curious? See Haz Cats in action:

Interested in learning more or are you curious and have questions about this position? Attend one of our virtual Q & A Informational Sessions:
1st Session:

2nd Session:

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.

Essential Job Duties

Metro will train you to perform all essential job duties. This list covers most of the specific tasks that an employee in this position is required to perform. Please note that other tasks may be added.

  • Unloads, inspects, and sorts incoming household and small business hazardous waste. Prepares wastes for disposal.

  • Understands and correctly uses personal protective equipment (PPE) including respirators. Keeps PPE in a clean and functional condition.

  • Sorts the waste by chemical composition into hazard classes, then packages according to all state and federal regulations.

  • Safely uses hand and powered tools, and equipment such as forklifts and pallet jacks.

  • Serves the public by providing technical and educational information to customers’ questions on the phone, in person or via email.

  • Tests unknown hazardous wastes in the lab to classify it for safe disposal.

  • Participates in neighborhood collection events and outreach activities.

  • Assists in the cleanup of hazardous waste spills. Checks out potential illegal disposal of hazardous waste in the transfer station.

  • Responds to emergencies and chemical releases in the facility or transfer station. May occasionally need to respond to emergencies outside of normal work hours.

  • Performs routine recordkeeping (incident reports, daily operational forms, etc.).

  • Prepares inventory counts, reports and shipping documents.

  • Performs facility and equipment inspections and maintenance.

  • May assist in training new hazardous waste technicians, temporary employees and student interns.

Working Conditions:
This position requires the ability to perform the activities necessary to complete the essential functions of the job, either with or without reasonable accommodation. Technicians are often required to perform task while hampered by protective equipment or clothing. This is a highly physical position and may require frequent or continuous standing, stooping, bending, twisting, walking, talking, sitting, fingering, grasping, handling and good general hearing. Activities also require occasional reaching, feeling, repetitive motions of the hands/wrists, kneeling, climbing, and the ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds, and push and/or pull up to 1,000 pounds aided by material handling equipment. Duties require staff to work indoors and outdoors in all types of weather.

Worksites:

  • Metro Central Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 6161 NW 61st Avenue, Portland, OR 97210

  • Metro South Household hazardous Waste Facility, 2001 Washington Street, Oregon City, OR 97045

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

  • Ability to have regular and punctual attendance.

  • Ability to learn and remember complex information.

  • Ability to work in a team and independently.

  • Ability to complete tasks accurately and completely.

  • Ability to learn and follow safe practices.

  • Ability to remain calm and adapt to changing conditions.

  • Ability to accept feedback and take ownership for mistakes.

  • Ability to self-motivate.

  • Ability to provide excellent customer service.

  • Skill in maintaining situational awareness.

  • Skill in establishing and maintaining respectful working relationships with contractors, haulers, community partners, Metro staff and the public.

  • Skill in improving performance with practice.

  • Interest in environmental regulations and in preventing pollution.

  • Interest in sustainability, reuse and recycling.

Minimum Requirements

Experience and education: 

  • High school diploma or G.E.D. AND

  • Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for performing the job. OR

  • One year of specialized training or experience in a field related to hazardous waste management

  • A valid driver's license is required.

  • Must be available to work a variety of shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Useful, but not essential, education and experience:

  • Some college including some coursework in chemistry, environmental science, or other natural science.

  • Some experience with chemical analysis, lab work or working with radiation.

  • Some material handling equipment experience.

  • Some experience working in a regulated industry such as trucking, healthcare, remediation, pesticide application or manufacturing or in a compliance role.

  • First aid, emergency response training or firefighting experience.

  • Mechanical ability, vehicle, equipment or instrument maintenance experience.

  • Language skill in addition to English, such as Spanish, Vietnamese or Russian.

Application requirements:
1) Electronic application,
2) A short cover letter describing why you are interested in this position,
3) Three personal or professional references,
4) Answers to the supplemental questions.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3580 (AFSCME 3580) is the union that represents this position. The job classification as a Hazardous Waste Technician (Download PDF reader) (click to read the full classification). Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. The base salary target for this recruitment would bring in candidates at a salary between $26.24 – $30.38 per hour.

Additional Information

Additional Information Related to COVID-19: The health and safety of our employees and community is a top priority for Metro. Employees will be required to follow all Metro COVID-related policies and procedures, which may meet or exceed guidelines set forth by the CDC, Oregon Health Authority, and other federal, state and local jurisdictions. Learn more at oregonmetro.gov/COVID-19.

Hello, we're Metro
Across greater Portland in 24 cities and three counties, there's one local government that brings us all together. Led by an elected council, Metro helps Oregonians shape the future and provides services that make life better today. Metro's work spans parks and nature, land and transportation, garbage and recycling, and arts and events. We help make greater Portland a great place to call home.
 
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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): Metro 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  

Serving the Portland metro region in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.