Recycling Educator bei City of Santa Barbara, CA

About the Department

THE POSITION

Under direct supervision, assists in the development, implementation and coordination of outreach and technical assistance programs in connection with various residential and business solid waste diversion and reduction efforts, targeting mixed recyclables and organics, including foodscraps and yard waste. Assists with the development of promotional programs and materials to increase public awareness of and participation in diversion and reduction programs. Assists with other programs including school recycling, public spaces recycling infrastructure, large venue recycling, zero waste events, internal City office recycling and the procurement of environmentally preferable products. Performs a variety of tasks related to assigned areas of responsibility.

Responsibilities will be to: 

• Provide exemplary customer service to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, courteous and respectful, and to actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
• Provide assistance to implement, coordinate, and monitor integrated solid waste management programs, such as recycling in the business and residential sectors;
• Provide assistance to research and design of educational materials;
• Participate in the design, implementation and monitoring foodscraps recovery and composting programs;
• Participate in the research, design, and implementation of source reduction programs for both internal City programs and community programs; 
• Complete and maintain comprehensive catalog and assessment of outdoor trash and recycling containers in public spaces; participate in developing a maintenance and replacement schedule; participate in targeted placement of future containers to maximize diversion in parks and the City's right-of-way.
• Conduct proactive engagement with businesses to educate and provide support for State regulatory requirements and local municipal code compliance, such as material ban education & monitoring, including inspections of premises, trash enclosures, and waste receptacles. 
• Maintain inventory and provides indoor recycling containers for business recycling and diversion programs. Works with business staff to increase recycling and foodscraps recovery and composting.
• Provide educational materials concerning recycling and waste reduction programs for businesses, schools and other community institutions. Make presentations to property managers and employees, schools, and other groups;
• Participate in the development of promotional programs and materials for use in the media to increase public awareness of, and participation in, recycling and waste reduction programs; 
• Provide technical assistance to City departments, aimed at reducing waste and diverting waste products from the landfill, such as infrastructure and education for recycling, foodscraps recovery, and universal waste;
• Research recycling and waste reduction programs and trends in other jurisdictions to suggest new ideas and cost-effective programs;
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Position Duties

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of solid waste management, including waste reduction, handling, processing, recycling, composting and disposal
• State and Federal laws pertaining to solid waste management
• Contract administration
• Research methods and standard English usage and grammar

Ability to:

• Gather and analyze information;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, representatives of other government agencies, private industry, community groups, and other members of the public;
• Perform basic math computations involving fractions and percentages;
• Learn and participate in the competitive bid process;
• Organize work;
• Read and comprehend technical information and legislative reports, communicate technical information orally and in written form;
• Use a personal computer and job-related software/programs, such as Microsoft Word and Excel;
  

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Education and/or Training:

Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in a field of study that is relevant to this classification, such as Environmental Studies, Earth Sciences, Environmental Policy, or Natural Resources Management is desirable.

Minimum Qualifications

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See Application,” “Extensive Experience,” or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.   

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam, and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

Other Qualifications

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Sustainability & Resilience Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view these emails.

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025.