Associate Solid Waste Planner at Oregon Metro

About the Department

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.  

Do you enjoy collecting and analyzing information to help people make better, data-informed decisions? Are you motivated to evaluate programs, identify trends, and use data to illustrate how policies can advance the public good? Do you take pride in telling clear, compelling stories with numbers, charts, and maps? Are you passionate about measuring environmental impacts and promoting equitable outcomes? Do you want to help reduce waste and make the most of our material resources? If this sounds like you, come be a part of our team!   

Metro’s Waste Prevention and Environmental Services department plans and oversees the region's garbage and recycling system. Working with local communities, government and industry partners to protect the environment, conserve resources, and ensure that our garbage and recycling system works for everyone. WPES is committed to leading with equity in everything we do. We are guided by the 2030 Regional Waste Plan, which is focused on advancing racial equity, reducing the environmental and health impacts of products, maintaining and improving our garbage and recycling system, and rectifying the historic and ongoing inequities of that system on communities of color and others in our region.

We are looking for someone with strong analytical and communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to turn complex information into clear, actionable insights. In this role you will support research and evaluation efforts, such as waste characterization studies and other analysis aimed at improving recovery efforts and assessing program effectiveness. You will also contribute to performance measurement and program evaluation by helping develop metrics, set standards, and improve how performance is tracked and reported. Comfort with both quantitative and qualitative data, as well as experience with data tools, reporting systems, and data management practices, is important. A willingness to grow technical skills over time is also valued. 

This role is ideal for a creative problem solver who enjoys working across disciplines and with diverse stakeholders to strengthen regional garbage and recycling systems through thoughtful analysis and support. Our Analytics team advances data-informed decision-making by leading research, analysis, and program evaluation, while also building the systems, tools, and data culture that make high-quality information accessible and actionable.

As an Associate Solid Waste Planner on our team you will:

• Conduct research to inform garbage and recycling projects, policies, and recommendations. Analyze and interpret data and develop recommendations.
• Support the design and completion of research studies, evaluations, information systems, and policy recommendations.
• Design and produce reports and information graphics including graphs, charts, and maps.
• Collect, organize, and interpret qualitative and quantitative technical information.
• Measure and report on project and program performance.
• Support processes to improve data flow, accuracy, integrity, and value for better operations and decision making.
• Understand public policy and planning strategies related to garbage and recycling issues.
• Liaise between Metro staff, contractors, consultants, and the public to provide and gather information.

 Attributes for success:

• Commitment to Metro’s values and Regional Waste Plan goals, racial equity and improving the lives of low-income families, immigrants, and communities of color. 
• Self-motivated, team-oriented, communicative, responsive and resourceful problem-solver. 
• Ability to understand analyze, visualize and present data to tell a compelling story. 
• Experience applying racial equity analysis.
• Proven leadership and project management experience. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Interest in solid waste management, public utilities, or a related industry. 

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.   

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant. 

Minimum qualifications

• Two years of experience in research, analysis, and report writing or public policy development; and
• A Bachelor’s degree in statistics, analytics, science, public administration or related field; or 
• Any combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job. 

Working Conditions: This position requires the ability to perform those activities necessary to complete the essential functions of the job, either with or without reasonable accommodation. Duties are primarily performed in an office environment, while sitting at a desk or computer. 

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply  If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.  

Hybrid Telework 
 At this time, this position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The manager will work with you to identify a schedule that balances the operational needs of the department and your needs. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro 
 

Like to have qualifications  You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position. 

• Expertise in garbage and recycling services and solid waste systems 
• Certification in data science or analytics.
• Demonstrated expertise in research design, statistical analysis and modeling 
• Expertise in qualitative research methods and analysis   
• Familiarity with SQL for querying and combining datasets from multiple sources
• Experience in Project Management
• Knowledge of data governance practices (metadata management, version control, data quality standards)
• Experience working in the public sector 

SCREENING AND EVALUATION  

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application 
• A one-page cover letter describing:
  1. Why you are interested in the position 
  2. How your experience relates to the work
  3. How your skills & experience will help you succeed in this role

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments 
• Reference check 

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1. $78,886.70 to step 7 $105,815.81However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1. $78,886.70 to the equity range step 4. $91,400.94.

This position is not eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580. It is classified as an Associate Solid Waste Planner.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Carrie Gundermann

Email:[email protected]

Other Qualifications

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
  
Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page. 

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Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.