Waste management officer
Waste management officers organise and manage waste disposal, collection and recycling facilities. They may also be responsible for waste treatment and street cleaning operations. Some posts combine waste management and recycling functions, while others split them into separate jobs.
The UK generates over 330 million tonnes of waste a year. It is the responsibility of the waste management industry to dispose of waste safely, with due consideration for the environment and conforming to government regulations.
Waste management officers have to meet targets for waste reduction and recycling, in particular the EU Landfill Directive which aims to reduce landfill waste.
Waste management officers mainly work for local authorities but can also be employed by private waste businesses, industrial organisations, environmental agencies, consultancies and non-profit-making conservation projects.
Typical work activities include:
At senior levels, responsibility for budgets running into many millions of pounds is common.
A degree in waste management or similar is often preferred. Other relevant subjects include:
Entry is possible with an HND in a waste management, environmental protection or environmental management related subject.
There is no standard route into this role, although most candidates now are graduates. Entry requirements have changed in recent years, due to specific waste management courses and an increase in environmental qualifications. While direct entry is common, some people move into this profession after working in the construction, haulage or quarrying industries or by specialising from a wider environmental role within a large organisation.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification, for example an MSc or PgDip in Waste Management or Environmental Engineering, can be useful. For further details about postgraduate courses, search courses and research.
Pre-entry work experience is often sought by employers so you should make the most of work experience placements arranged through your college or university.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
A driving licence is usually essential.
Most advertised posts ask for experience, which can be paid or unpaid, full or part time. Many people started in the industry by working voluntarily on recycling or environmental projects, which helped them to build up contacts and get known. You could also contact your local council and find out what work experience opportunities they offer. This would help you meet people and acquire the necessary understanding of current issues. If you are studying for a relevant degree, choosing a dissertation that is linked to an employer can be a good way to network and gain experience.
Some employers require membership of The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) , which also provides an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge of the industry. They have various levels of membership which are detailed on their website.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Ongoing professional development is encouraged, and training may be partly or fully financed by employers. Further training can involve general management courses, developing technical skills, keeping up to date with changes in legislation, improving IT skills, learning about finance issues and controlling budgets.
Training is delivered by a number of different providers. For example, The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has a Structured Education and Training Scheme (SET) which is designed to assist new graduates to acquire the practical skills required to develop their career in the industry. They also offer a Certificate in Supervisory Management and a comprehensive range of specialist courses on topics such as industrial hazardous waste management and landfill gas management. They have also collaborated with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to develop their New Technologies Programme.
Chartered status and membership is advantageous. There are several grades of membership, but chartered status is usually obtained when the candidate has a relevant degree and has at least four years' relevant continuous experience including structured training. Applicants must also give a presentation before a professional interview panel.
For some operational management posts, it is a legal requirement that you gain an appropriate vocational qualification (S/NVQs) followed by a Certificate of Technical Competence (COTC), awarded by the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB) . In these cases, this training will be automatically offered by your employer.
In recent years, a more structured career path in waste management has evolved. More graduates with environmental degrees and an interest in waste management are now entering the job market, and there are specialist postgraduate courses dealing with this subject area.
Promotion can lead to the role of team leader within a local authority. You can then progress to become area manager or head of waste management, although this will depend on your area of interest and strengths. As opportunities are generally quite limited, relocation for career advancement may be necessary.
Another way to progress within this career is to move to a private sector company (e.g. contractors and environmental consultancies). This industry is growing, and roles are becoming more specialised. There is quite a lot of movement between the main players: local authorities, private companies and the Environment Agency (EA) .
As legislation increases, new roles are arising in large organisations such as health services and universities. Opportunities may also arise in waste management regulatory bodies and in relevant governmental departments.
After several years of supervisory experience, it may be possible to progress into operational management jobs. At senior level, this can involve responsibility for budgets running into many millions of pounds as well as the strategic management of resources and people.
Most waste management officers are employed in waste planning, collection and disposal services operating within local authorities in the UK. There are over 350 Waste Collection Authorities operating within England and Wales.
Environmental and waste management consultancy services and private waste management firms are also significant employers. Many civil engineering consultancies also have specialist divisions dealing with these issues. Those employed in this sector may have different job titles. The Environment Agency (EA) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) also play major roles in regulating waste and can offer significant careers in this area.
Emphasis is currently being placed on providing best value services (largely as a result of new legislation on increased landfill tax, packaging regulations and recycling targets) and employment opportunities are expanding in response to this.
As environmental legislation has strengthened, large companies and organisations such as The National Health Service (NHS) and higher education institutions, such as universities, are creating new posts for waste management professionals. In total the Energy & Utility Skills Council estimates that there are currently 141,000 people involved in the UK waste management industry.
Some recruitment agencies specialise in environmental jobs. Consult the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) for further details.
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