Recycling officer
Recycling officers help plan and develop the environmental and waste reduction policies of local authorities such as county, district, borough and metropolitan councils. They achieve this in a variety of ways, including:
Recycling officers often work in departments of local government, e.g. environmental services, waste management or community services. Opportunities to work as recycling officers are also becoming more common in the private sector.
The role of recycling officer has increased in importance in recent years, at least partly due to government targeting initiatives for reducing domestic and industrial waste.
The role of a recycling officer is concerned primarily with promoting recycling within the local area by improving existing recycling facilities and developing new ways to meet local and national targets.
Typical activities may include:
Salary figures are intended as a guide only.
Relevant degree or HND subjects include life and medical science, physical/mathematical/applied science and engineering. In particular, the following subjects may increase your chances:
Experience, personal qualities and knowledge of current environmental, waste management and recycling legislation and issues may override the need for a degree.
Entry without a degree or HND is sometimes possible at technical support level, although candidates are expected to have considerable relevant work experience.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not essential, but may be helpful, particularly in the area of waste or environmental management. A list of appropriate postgraduate courses may be obtained from The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) . Pre-entry relevant practical experience is essential for most advertised posts, either voluntary or paid.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
A driving licence is essential for many posts.
Contact your local recycling officer or community recycling organisation about gaining work experience or a summer placement. See the Community Recycling Network for a directory of members.
Award schemes, such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award , offer the chance to gain valuable experience. Working holidays, such as those run by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) and the National Trust , can provide practical conservation experience. The National Grid operates various schemes, offering students or recent graduates the opportunity to gain work experience on environmental projects at its environmental education centres around the country. See Naturegrid UK for further details.
Paid casual work is rarely advertised and may only be offered to those who have shown commitment, enthusiasm and hard work as a volunteer. Many people working in the sector start with voluntary work and build up contacts and a reputation. Becoming a member of a relevant organisation or professional institution may present you with excellent opportunities to network. If you are studying for a relevant degree, choosing a dissertation or assignment that is linked to an employer may be a good way of building contacts and experience.
To keep up to date on relevant information, it is important to research the 1990 Environmental Protection Act and any subsequent legislation. Read The ENDS Report and keep abreast of current issues through websites such as LetsRecycle.com .
Competition is strong. Although more diverse roles are being created (for example, in community recycling organisations), vacancies are mainly still in local authorities.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
While most training for recycling officers occurs on the job, The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and other providers, such as Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) , offer vocational training and a variety of specialist training courses in a number of relevant areas.
The CIWM also has a continuing professional development (CPD) scheme. All members are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of CPD per year through a range of activities such as seminars, conferences, workshops, training events, writing papers and research.
CIWM's Structured Learning & Development Scheme (SLD) enables new graduates to get the practical skills they need to progress in the waste management industry. Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) runs a three-day Recycling Managers Training Course at various locations throughout the UK. This course is for local authority recycling and waste management officers with up to three years' experience.
A more structured career path for recycling officers is developing as local authorities now have to comply with national waste management requirements.
Recycling officers generally work within teams specialising in one particular aspect of the role, e.g. enforcement or community education. People in this role usually progress into broader waste management and operational roles with a greater focus on policy. Opportunities to manage waste/recycling sections are limited. It may be necessary to move between councils to secure a promotion. Undertaking a relevant postgraduate course may improve your chances of promotion.
Progression into general/environmental management and policy development is common. Other routes include more general waste management careers, for example in contract management for unitary local authorities. As local authorities contract out both kerbside recycling and 'bring sites' to private companies, private consultancy is a rapidly growing field.
Alternatively, you may choose to specialise and work for regulatory agencies such as the Environment Agency (EA) , or organisations such as Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) .
Most local authority posts are permanent and full time, although you may initially be employed on a short-term contract, a part-time basis or as part of a combined environmental coordinator role. Many councils offer flexible working patterns such as flexitime or job-sharing. Waste minimisation officer jobs are becoming common, and many roles cover both waste minimisation and recycling functions. These posts are available in unitary councils, metropolitan or borough councils, and county and district councils.
Opportunities are increasing for work in private companies that operate practical collection and processing schemes for recyclables as well as green waste composting. Opportunities with integrated waste management companies may provide more diverse roles and increased opportunities to specialise in specific wastes. Such companies also recruit recycling education staff to advise clients. National consultancy firms are also diversifying to cover this growing area of work.
There are many other possible employers worth exploring. Community recycling organisations are another source of vacancies that offer good entry-level experience. Independent charities provide research and development opportunities for specific projects. Long-term opportunities are available with policy and regulatory agencies such as the Environment Agency (EA) .
Although recycling officer jobs are rarely advertised through recruitment agencies, some specialist environmental recruitment agencies such as Acre and GreenRoles may occasionally advertise vacancies.
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