Metro Recycling Information Center (Close July 11)

Recycling Information Specialist (variable hour)

APPLY

Salary

$20.55 Hourly

Location

Portland, OR

Job Type

Variable Hour (formerly "temporary")

Department

Waste Prevention and Environmental Services

Job Number

2022-2040-WPES

Closing

7/11/2022 5:00 PM Pacific

Position summary

Variable hour employees may not work more than 1,040 hours in a 12-month period.


Hello, we’re Metro! We strive to be an employer of choice by being human-centered, authentic and support a welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive. Are you interested in joining a supportive team which helps people learn how to reduce waste and recycle? Are you a people person who is excited about providing great customer service? Do you have a passion for waste reduction and recycling, a commitment to equitable service delivery, coupled with a willingness to inform and educate? If so, you might be a great candidate to join Metro’s Recycling Information Center as a Recycling Specialist (variable hour).

The Recycling Information Center (RIC) provides information and assistance focused on garbage, recycling and reuse services for residents and businesses. As a Recycling Specialist, you will work closely with other team members who are passionate about assisting the public. The RIC team handles more than 70,000 information referral phone calls each year. The majority of your time will be spent speaking on the phone with callers from across the greater Portland region as you connect them with businesses and organizations that provide recycling and reuse services. You will also teach people about ways they can prevent waste as well as the proper disposal of materials. In addition, you will provide customer service for Metro's recycled latex paint sales, MetroPaint, and for Metro Central and Metro South transfer stations and hazardous waste facilities. Opportunities may become available to assist with outreach activities.

Your work will be performed using an intelligent desktop call routing system, custom database and MS Office suite software. Knowledge of and experience in recycling and waste reduction education is preferred. Supervision is received from the RIC program supervisor.

This position is a great opportunity for people who currently work or seek a fairly flexible work schedule. Hours are variable during weekdays: Monday through Friday. Recycling Specialists fill in as needed to cover vacations, leaves, meetings and high call volume periods.

As a Metro employee, your work will support the advancement of the goals of Metro’s strategic plan to advance racial equity, diversity and inclusion (Download PDF reader) and the 2030 Regional Waste Plan (Download PDF reader), both focused on advancing racial equity, reducing environmental and health impacts of products and maintaining and improving our garbage and recycling system.

As a variable hour Recycling Specialist you will:

  • Answer inquiries from the public, businesses and other government agencies via telephone and email.

  • Make garbage and recycling business referrals to Metro programs, private sector companies and non-profit organizations.

  • Educate residents about recycling, reuse, waste prevention and safe waste disposal options.

  • Use a proprietary business referral database and enter information into database files.

  • Provide administrative support for the call center.

  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Attributes for success

  • Application of good telephone etiquette using interpersonal principles and techniques.

  • Knowledge of and skill using business English, composition, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

  • Ability to maintain professional demeanor under sometimes difficult circumstances and during conversations with callers who may be emotional or upset.

  • Ability to use problem solving skills and decision-making in a fast-paced environment.

  • Ability to operate computer programs and database systems for information referral and reporting.

  • Ability to work effectively as a team member in a respectful and collaborative manner. Ability to effectively organize work, and follow both written and verbal instructions.

  • Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing conditions, policies and practices within the organization or from private sector partners.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Metro, we strive to 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

TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • One year of administrative and/or clerical experience AND

  • A high school diploma or GED, OR

  • Any combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the job.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
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) (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.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:
If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications:
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

  • Customer service,

  • Experience involving extensive public contact over the phone,

  • Experience and knowledge of garbage, recycling and waste reduction and the ability to speak a second language.

Schedule: fill in as needed Monday through Friday (between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm) to cover vacations, leaves, meetings, high call volume periods and short-notice fill-in for illness coverage.

REPRESENTATION
This variable hour position is eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSME 3580 and is classified as a Program Assistant I (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.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The Application Packet:The application packet consists of the following documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

  • A completed Online Application

  • Supplemental Questions

The Selection Process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

  • Initial review of minimum qualifications

  • In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates

  • Consideration of top candidates/interviews

  • Reference Check

Questions?
Recruiter: Iyali Osuna
Email: Iyali.Osuna@oregonmetro.gov

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.
 
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.
 
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 503-797-1570.
 
Pay equity at Metro: Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.
 
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): Metro pays the employee and employer 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.
 
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