Waste management officers organise and manage waste collection and disposal. They may also be responsible for recycling, treatment of waste and street cleaning operations.

Their duties usually include:

• running and inspecting waste disposal sites and recycling facilities
• managing teams of refuse collectors
• managing contracts with private waste collection companies
• monitoring local waste collection services
• collecting and analysing statistics on local levels of waste
• making sure that waste disposal is handled according to the law
• aiming to meet waste reduction and recycling targets
• introducing new waste disposal or recycling schemes
• advising local businesses and communities on waste reduction and environmental issues
• managing budgets.

Some jobs combine waste management and recycling operations, whilst some areas split the activities into separate jobs (see the Recycling Officer profile for more information).

Hours and Environment

As a waste management officer you will usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You may sometimes need to work at the weekend, because some waste disposal and recycling facilities are open seven days a week.

You will usually be office-based, but you will spend some of your time travelling to visiting sites and contractors.

Skills and Interests

To be a waste management officer you should:

• have good communication skills
• feel comfortable dealing with a range of people, including the public, contractors and senior managers
• be able to manage people and lead a team
• be able to understand and interpret statistical information
• be well-organised and able to meet deadlines
• have computer skills
• be able to write and present reports
• be interested in the environment.

A driving licence is usually essential.

Entry

To become a waste management officer you will need either:

• a degree in wastes management or a related subject like environmental science, chemistry or earth sciences, or
• experience as a waste operations technician or supervisor, plus relevant waste management qualifications that you have gained on the job.

If you have a first degree, you may help your chances of employment by taking a further postgraduate degree (MSc or MEng) in waste management or environmental engineering. You will also find it useful to gain experience in voluntary recycling or environmental projects.

See the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) website for a list of accredited degrees and postgraduate degrees.

The other main way into the job is to be promoted from waste operations technician or supervisor. To do this you will usually first need NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Waste Management Operations or Supervision or an equivalent Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB) Certificate of Technical Competence (see WAMITAB’s website for details).

You can then progress by taking a further waste management qualification whilst you are working, such as:

• NVQ/SVQ Level 4 in Waste Management Operations (specialising in Landfill, Transfer or Treatment)
• Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Wastes Management
• Foundation Degree in Wastes Management.

See the CIWM website for more information on the HNC and Foundation Degree. See the Energy & Utility Skills website for details on NVQs/SVQs and a list of training providers.

Training

You will be trained on the job, usually with some formal training courses from the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management. These include:

• CIWM Certificate in Supervisory Management - for anyone in or aiming for a supervisory job
• Structured Education and Training Scheme (SET) – for recent graduates to gain practical skills in their first job
• New Technologies – courses in new and sustainable waste management technologies, for experienced staff.

You could also work towards relevant NVQs/SVQs, such as:

• NVQ/SVQ Level 4 in Waste Management Operations (Landfill, Transfer or Treatment)
• NVQ/SVQ Levels 3 and 4 in Management of Recycling Operations.

See the Recycling Officer profile for more information about specific training and qualifications in recycling operations.

It may help your career to join the CIWM. Membership is available at various levels, depending on your experience and qualifications.

Opportunities

As a waste management officer you could work for local authorities or private waste management companies all over the UK.

Jobs are advertised in the local and national press, trade magazines and websites and on the CIWM and LGjobs websites.

With experience, you could progress into area or senior management jobs. You could also move into recycling or environmental project management (see Recycling Officer profile for more details), or freelance work as a self-employed environmental consultant.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Waste management officers usually start on around £20,000 a year.
With experience, they usually earn £25,000 to £35,000 a year.
Operations managers or chartered waste managers could earn £40,000 or more.

Further information

Peterbridge House
3 The Lakes
Northampton
NN4 7HE
Tel: 01604 231950 9 Saxon Court
St Peter’s Gardens
Marefair
Northampton
NN1 1SX
Tel: 01604 620426 Friars Gate Two
1011 Stratford Road
Shirley
Solihull
B90 4BN
Tel: 0845 077 9922