Recycling Volunteer Coordinator

Recycling Volunteer Coordinator (Program Specialist II, Grade 21)
Montgomery County Government
Department of Environmental Protection
2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, Maryland 20902

Salary Range: $65,551 - $104,210
    
   

The mission of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County’s air, water, and land in a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and industry-leading way while fostering smart growth, a thriving more sustainable economy and healthy communities. DEP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. DEP encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.
 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

DEP is seeking an experienced individual to join the Waste Reduction and Recycling Section in the Recycling and Resource Management Division.  The Program Specialist II will oversee the Recycling Volunteer Program and must have knowledge of recycling, reuse and waste reduction to have a positive impact.

The successful candidate will have the following experience, knowledge, and skills:

• Knowledge of public education, outreach, and techniques to communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of recycling technologies, processes, trends, and equipment, as well as recyclable commodity markets/conditions, as well as program development to maximize recycling and increase the amount of materials recycled.
• Experience in planning, coordinating, and implementing program plans and projects related to solid waste and recycling.
• Experience working independently, as well as in interdisciplinary teams to jointly resolve problems, achieve common goals, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to deal tactfully, effectively and equitably with people to collaborate on issues, resolve problems, and achieve consensus.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences to interpret and explain requirements, and work through issues.
• Experience preparing presentations, written reports, documentation, and correspondence.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

The Recycling Volunteer Coordinator will supervise a corps of volunteers who donate their time and effort to educate County residents (their peers) and the general public about waste reduction, reuse, recycling, buying recycled, composting, and other related topics and programs.  With almost 1.1 million residents in Montgomery County, and almost 550,000 people employed in the County, the Recycling Volunteers are critical to our efforts in providing direct outreach and education to as many as possible.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing education, training and technical assistance that support County waste reduction policies and practices to residents, multi-family and business properties, as well as to landscapers/lawn service contractors.
• Coordinating program initiatives that encourage waste reduction, reuse and recycling by residents and employees in the County.
• Coordinating the Recycling Volunteer Program, including recruiting, training, retaining and supervising volunteers at education events and activities.  
• Planning, organizing, conducting, and participating in numerous educational events.
• Implementing efforts to maximize effectiveness of volunteer activities and coordinating and tracking recycling volunteer efforts.
• Writing and distributing quarterly Recycletter (recycling newsletter).
• Assisting in the development and design of materials and other resources supporting the County’s waste reduction, reuse and recycling program.
• Developing new strategies and innovative solutions to increase waste reduction, reuse and recycling by County residents.
• Distributing various materials and resources (at events, presentations and trainings) for use by residents.
• Participating in other special projects and events, as needed.

To ensure a positive workplace and to comply with federal, state and County laws, the incumbent is responsible for completing mandatory trainings within the first three to six months or within the specified timeframe.

This position requires possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive a County vehicle. This position frequently convenes, meets with, and presents information to community members, including residents. These meetings often occur in the evenings and on weekends.

Bilingual applicants in the Spanish/English languages, or other languages, are encouraged to apply. The selected candidate with multilingual skills may qualify for additional compensation but will be required to successfully pass an examination assessing oral communication, reading comprehension, and interpreting skills. For Advanced proficiency, the candidate must also pass an examination requiring translating text from other language to English and vice versa.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:  Two (2) years professional experience in recycling or solid waste field, including experience providing direct education and technical assistance concerning recycling and/or solid waste to individuals or groups, one year of which must be managing a volunteer program.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class “C” (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant’s state of residence.

PREFERRED CRITIERIA, INTERVIEW PREFERENCES
All applicants will be reviewed by OHR for minimum qualifications.  Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated “Qualified,” placed on the Eligible List, and may be considered for interview.  Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are same grade or higher will be placed on Eligible List as a “Transfer” candidate and may be considered for interview.  
 
Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:

• Experience with waste reduction and recycling issues and evaluating effectiveness of recycling efforts.
• Experience in coordinating a volunteer program or directly supervising volunteers.
• Experience orally presenting and promoting program requirements to a variety of audience types.
• Experience in public education and training techniques, including writing, and editing a newsletter, developing, and designing educational messages, materials, literature, and other resources.  
• Experience working with individuals and groups to inform them of and educate them about a program’s requirements, and directly assisting them in their efforts to meet those requirements.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Government offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume. You may also be required to provide a writing sample.

Montgomery County Government offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

To view the complete job announcement and to apply, please visit our website at www.work4mcg.com,
click on “Search Jobs and Apply”.  Search:  Recycling Volunteer Coordinator (Program Specialist II) – Job# 2024-00302

Interested candidates must create an online account in order to apply.

This Recruitment Closes November 12, 2024

All resume submissions must address the preferred criteria for the position,
preferably in a separate section of the resume.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Resume Preparation Tips
listed under the “Career Resources” tab on the Office of Human Resource’s MCG Careers webpage.

EOE. M/F/H.