Welcome

Protecting your community in local government waste management
 
Introduction
Each year, the UK generates around 330 million tonnes of waste.  Local government waste management officers oversee its safe disposal.  Waste management officers are employed in all types of local councils.
 
Work Environment
Local government waste management officers are usually office-based, but some outside work is required to visit waste sites and to attend meetings.

Daily Activities
Local council waste management services cover the following areas of work: 

• waste collection - managed by district, unitary and metropolitan borough councils, this may be done by the council staff or be contracted to outside agents;
• waste recycling - undertaken by all types of council this work involves recycling paper, card, aluminium, glass, textiles, plastic, old electrical goods and organic waste from gardens and allotments; 
• waste disposal - this involves transporting waste to landfill sites.

Local government waste management officers oversee these activities and get involved in some or all of the following tasks:

• monitoring the quality and performance of the council's waste services - this involves contract management of external providers, if the council's waste services are outsourced;
• investigating any complaints about the council's waste services;
• identifying solutions to problems and ensuring action is taken;
• investigating instances of flytipping;
• providing advice and guidance to businesses and industrial waste sites about waste management issues;
• consulting with residents, community groups, councillors, housing associations and traders associations about waste management issues, identifying their requirements and providing appropriate solutions;
• managing and promoting any new council waste management schemes;
• writing up reports and keeping records.

Skills & Interests
Local government waste management officers need:

• to be excellent communicators;
• good organisational and administrative skills;
• excellent problem solving and analytical skills;
• good IT skills;
• to be calm under pressure;
• an interest in and knowledge of environmental issues and legislation.

Entry Requirements
Most councils ask for a good standard of education including 5 GCSEs/S-Grades (A-C/1-3).  Some employers require a relevant qualification in waste management, such as an HNC in waste management or an N/SVQ level 4 managed by WAMITAB.  They may also ask for experience of dealing with the public.  Some waste management officers have a degree or HND in a relevant subject with modules in waste management, for example, chemistry, biology, engineering, geology.   Some employers may require you to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management. 
 
Future Prospects & Opportunities
With appropriate training and experience, it may be possible for local government waste management officers to move into more senior managerial positions within waste management and environmental services more widely.

Further Information & Services
Chartered Institute of Wastes Management www.ciwm.co.uk
Energy and Utility Skills www.euskills.co.uk
Environmental Services Association www.esauk.org
Wastes Management Industry Training and Advisory Board www.wamitab.org.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.