Waste Management SpecialistAgricultural Careers

Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum OfficeGeorgia Department of Education

April 2006

By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Asha Wise

Job Duties & Responsibilities

•Design and implement waste treatment programs, processes, equipment, and facilities such as landfills.

•Inspect landfills and assist in assessing incinerators and air pollution control systems.

•Collect and analyze samples and supervise quality assurance activities for solid waste and wastewater processing.

•Work with health officials to develop and interpret regulations, address complaints, and report violations.

•Advise operators on disposal methods and recommend environmentally responsible waste management strategies.

•Identify markets for recovered materials.

Qualities and Skills

•One interested in pursuing a career as a waste management specialist needs to be patient and resourceful with sound reasoning and decision making skills.

•Strong communication skills and good problem solving ability will be beneficial in advancement.

•One also needs to be able to work independently and as a team.

Salary

•Starting salaries for waste management specialists begin around $25,000 per year for those with a bachelor’s degree

•Those with experience typically earn anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 a year depending on their employer and level of education

Work Environment•Both indoor and outdoor in waste management plants

•Exposure to health and accidental hazards may occur

•May have to work at odd times, such as night shifts and weekends

•Work a typical 40-hour week

Education•The minimum requirement for this occupation is a bachelor’s

degree in engineering, environmental science, chemistry,

biology, or a related major.

Career Resources

•Air and Waste Management AssociationOne Gateway Center, 3rd Floor

420 Fort Duquesne Blvd.Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1435

http://www.awma.org

•Solid Waste Association of North AmericaP.O. Box 7219

Silver Spring, MD 20907-7219http://www.swana.org

•The Waste Management Institutehttp://www.ncat.edu/~wmi

•The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Researchhttp://www.iger.bbsrc.ac.uk

•Waste Wisehttp://www.epa.gov