Hazardous Waste Technician

Hazardous Waste Technician

Salary: $37,398.40 - $61,713.60 Annually

Location: Solid Waste - 7550 Apalachee Pkwy. Tallahassee, FL

Job Type: Career Service Full Time

Job Number: 039-26

Department: Office of Resource Stewardship

Division: HAZARDOUS WASTE

Opening Date: 03/28/2026

Closing Date: 4/10/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade: 103

Description: Benefits Questions

General Description of Duties

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES The general purpose of this position is to make sure that hazardous materials are disposed of according to established standards. Work involves identifying hazardous waste, preparing waste for disposal, and monitoring asbestos disposal.

NOTE: The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The Job Description Questionnaire (JDQ) reflects a more detailed description of the position. Neither the job description nor the JDQ constitutes an employment agreement. Both are subject to change as the needs of the County and requirements of the job change.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Management of Hazardous Waste received.

• Sort waste and place in proper storage area within 24 hours of its arrival.
• Bulk oil and latex paints whenever 20 or more cans accumulate.
• Bulk gasoline and fuel related products immediately upon arrival.
• Prepare and maintain batteries and mercury containing devices in good order for shipment.
• Neutralize corrosives as needed.
• Prepare propane tanks and other pressure vessels for recycling or disposal.
• Monitor used oil recycling area.
• Clear trash cans as needed, change filter screens, check for spills and respond accordingly when noticed.
• Place waste in proper containers for shipping and prep containers for shipment.

Provides facility maintenance.

• Maintain cleanliness and good order of Hazardous Waste Center.
• Ensure that fire extinguishers, exits, safety wash and shower are accessible and unobstructed.
• Monitor supplies and replenish as needed, or informs supervisor so that shortages do not occur.

Management of electronic scrap received at Center.

• Sort waste and place in proper storage area within 24 hours of its arrival, this includes sorting through roll-offs from the Rural Waste Sites.
• Shrink-wrap CRTs and CPUs onto pallets for shipment.
• Bulk small e-scrap items into Gaylord boxes for shipment.
• Bulk small e-scrap items into Gaylord boxes for shipment.
• Load e-scrap onto vendor trailer and arrange pickups.

Provides information and publicity.

• Inform facility and household drop-off customers of proper use of the facilities.
• Provide information about the Hazardous Waste Program to callers and visitors.
• Greet users of the Center and assist in hazardous waste handling if necessary.

OTHER IMPORTANT OR MARGINAL DUTIES

• Monitor, clean, and stock ReNew Shop recycling area and Smarter Sorting.
• Remote Hazardous Waste collection events.
• Prepare truck and trailer with equipment and supplies as needed.
• Arrange logistics of event, including drop containers, and crew as needed.
• Supervise events, record number of participants and weight of waste collected.
• Off load trucks and trailer, and sort waste the day it is collected.
• Schedule appointments for business waste, prepare receipts, and deliver payment to fiscal assistant.
• Assist business customers with compliance to environmental regulations.

Training and Employee Education.

• Assist the Hazardous Waste Manager in training Solid Waste and other County employees in the recognition and safe handling of hazardous waste.

DIFFICULTY

• Must be able to recognize and respond appropriately to hazardous situations.
• Work is frequently interrupted in order to serve customers.
• Must be able to manage several duties simultaneously.
• Must incorporate hazardous waste policy into landfill operating procedures with minimum disruption.

RESPONSIBILITY:

• Supervision Received: Duties are generally defined and require judgment in determining how to accomplish the work. Guidance is sought in interpreting federal and state regulations, handling unusual or especially dangerous waste, and dealing with difficult customers.
• Supervision of Others: Position is non-supervisory. Occasionally assignments may include supervising lower level staff.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CUSTOMER CONTACT An employee in this position will have regular contact with other departments and the general public.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS USED

• Personal computer
• Basic calculator/adding machine
• Forklift
• Operates roll-off truck or hook truck to transport container (dumpster) of hazardous materials.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS Work requires frequent exercises of high dexterity, speed and precision involving strain such as prolonged operation of equipment; and/or prolonged and frequent exercise of great agility, stamina, strength or work requiring uncomfortable or abnormal posture. Also, work will be mainly outdoors with various working conditions and settings. Work involves exposure hazardous materials.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Required Knowledge: None listed in JDQ.
• Preferred knowledge: hazardous material identification and hazardous materials emergency response.
• Acquired Knowledge: federal and state regulations concerning hazardous or special waste.
• Acquired Skill: fork lift operation.
• Required abilities: Ability to inspire confidence of the public and fellow workers; manage multiple tasks; perform unpleasant tasks under adverse conditions; deal with diverse people effectively and graciously; and read, understand, and complete forms.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires graduation from an accredited community college with an AA or AS degree in Chemistry or a related field and two years of job related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Must possess a valid Florida Driver license and must have a favorable driving record.
• All Leon County employees (regular full-time and part-time, OPS, and PRN) are required to work before, during and after a Declared Local State of Emergency (DLSOE). Participation is considered a condition of employment.

Selection Guidelines:

• Formal application
• Rating of education and experience
• Oral interview and reference check

FLSA STATUS: Position is Non-exempt.

Analysis: the general purpose of this position is to perform technical/production work by identifying levels of hazardous waste, preparing waste for disposal, and monitoring asbestos disposal.

Revision History:

• October 1, 1997
• April 26, 2000
• May 6, 2002
• October 4, 2002
• July 28, 2005
• April 16, 2021

Leon County Government offers an extensive benefit package for FULL TIME employees. EXECUTIVE LEVEL employee benefits are determined through contract negotiations. Below are some of the highlights.

• Medical Insurance - Employer and Employee Contributions
• Voluntary Dental Insurance
• Voluntary Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Group Term Life Insurance - Employer Paid
• Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance
• Voluntary Long Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Legal Insurance
• Voluntary Individual Insurance Coverages with AFLAC
• Colonial State of Florida Retirement Plan - Employer & Employee Contributions
• Voluntary 457(b) Deferred Compensation
• Savings for Retirement
• Retirement Savings Match - for employees earning less than $50,000
• Annual Leave Accrual
• Sick Leave Accrual
• 3 Personal Days
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Loans At Work Program

01 What is your highest level of education?

• Less than High School
• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Vocational or Technical School
• Associates degree in Chemistry or a related field
• Bachelors degree in Chemistry or a related field
• Masters degree in Chemistry or a related field
• Doctorate

02 How many years of related hazardous waste work experience do you have?

• No Experience
• 1 Year
• 2 Years
• 3 Years
• 4 Years
• 5 Years or more

Required Question

Employer: Leon County Government

Address: 315 S. Calhoun Street Tallahassee, Florida, 32301

Phone: 850-606-2400

Website: http://www.leoncountyfl.gov