Introduction
What you do with your old bottles, cardboard and newspapers
matters enormously!
It is becoming increasingly important to use our natural resources
wisely and treat the environment with respect, or put the planet at
risk from burnout through pollution and over exploitation.
Recycling waste is one way in which we can safeguard our future and
it is the job of project officers to co-ordinate all aspects of
waste management schemes.
Work Environment
Work takes place in the office and outside on visits to such
places as landfill sites, rubbish tips and public meetings.
Protective clothing is provided as some situations can be dirty and
hazardous. There is a standard working week of 37 hours with
no anti-social shifts required.
Daily Activities
The key purpose of this job is to develop and manage waste
projects in order to reduce the amount of waste that builds up in
the area. (Some large counties dispose of as much as 400,000 tonnes
of household waste and 16,000 tonnes of paper annually - enough to
fill a large soccer stadium!) And they recover maximum value from
waste that is produced by recycling. Project officers are
responsible for every part of the process - from consultation to
data management to site works. It entails liaising with residents
and property managers to establish recycling on estates, blocks of
flats and in schools. They are also required to educate the
community to be responsible about waste products. This means
persuading everybody to use the boxes given out by the council for
recycling and collection and/or containers for green, brown and
clear glass, plastic bottles and newspapers located in various
public places - and even, perhaps, to think twice about buying
goods which carry an unnecessary amount of packaging. In order to
achieve their aims, project officers (recycling) are required
to:
- investigate, advise on and assist in the design and maintenance
of recycling and waste reduction schemes;
- organise consultation with the community and get it involved in
projects;
- provide support and advice to existing community-based
activities;
- liaise with contractors to ensure an efficient and reliable
service which is convenient for residents;
- prepare contract specifications for supplies, equipment and
services;
- undertake research, prepare reports and make
recommendations;
- attend committee and public meetings;
- ensure that all enquiries/complaints from members of the
public, businesses, the voluntary sector, other council
departments, senior officers and councillors are dealt with
promptly;
- monitor and report on progress of schemes.
In the course of their work, project officers will liaise with
the Head of Street Management, Waste and Enforcement Officer,
Principal Officers and external organizations such as businesses,
building sites, factories and community groups.
Skills & Interests
If you are inspired by the challenge of waste control, you would
need the ability to:
- undertake successful negotiations;
- develop and implement effective workplans on time and within
budget;
- solve problems creatively;
- work with a number of different types of people at all
levels;
- research and develop new initiatives and investigate
contentious issues;
- communicate well both orally and in written form;
- use IT;
- manage effectively.
You should also have an interest in environmental protection and
understand the role of publicity and education in achieving social
change.
Entry Requirements
It is essential to be educated to degree level or have further
education or experience of project management. In addition, you
would be required to have experience of:
- planning, organising and implementing schemes within an agreed
timetable;
- working in a customer-focused environment with face-to-face
contact with users or providers of a service;
- promoting programmes/products/initiatives to an in-house or
external audience/market;
- working in a team;
- evaluating team performance and reporting on it.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
The problem of waste will not go away. There are always
opportunities for more senior posts managing specific projects in
the environmental and conservation services. A further step up
could be to Head of Street Management or Waste and Enforcement
Manager.
Further Information & Services
The Recycling Association www.therecyclingassociation.com
Chartered Institution of Waste Management www.ciwm.co.uk
WAMITAB www.wamitab.org.uk
Energy and Utility Skills www.euskills.co.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.