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.

The post can be found in all types of authority except for county councils.

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.

Estimated salary range

Variable: from £18,300 to £20,500 due to possible differences in job description as given above.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

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.

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