Hazardous Waste Technician, Variable Hour presso Oregon Metro

About the Department

This recruitment is open continuous and those interested are encouraged to apply without delay. Screening will be ongoing as applications are received.

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. 

Are you an environmental superhero who’s passionate about protecting the region’s air, water and land? Looking for seasonal work on Saturdays at a great wage? Consider joining Metro’s Hazardous Waste team to help people in our region safely dispose of cleaners, chemicals, and other toxic materials!

Metro’s Hazardous Waste team is looking for two new teammates to help with hazardous waste collection events in locations throughout the region. During these events, residents drop off things like old gasoline, batteries, light bulbs, pesticides, oil-based paint, cleaners and solvents, and more for safe disposal.

Working in a team, people selected for this job will work outside or under a tent to greet customers, ask what they’re dropping off, provide them with information, direct vehicle traffic, and/or move, sort and pack customer hazardous materials to be processed later at our hazardous waste facilities. Paid training and protective gear is provided.

The Collection event team starts at 7:00 a.m. and finishes around 3:30 p.m. with paid morning and afternoon breaks and an unpaid half-hour lunch. Folks who enjoy this work will have an opportunity to work fall collection events and if interested, to work occasionally at our hazardous waste facility in Northwest Portland.

As the Variable Hour Hazardous Waste Technician you will

• Prioritize safety at all times
• Correctly use personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators, and keep PPE clean and in good working condition (Metro provides employees with all necessary PPE)
• Set up traffic routes according to the site plan and direct customers’ vehicles
• Greet customers at their vehicles and determine what kind of materials they are dropping off
• Record information on the types of waste people bring to the event
• Provide information and answer customers’ hazardous waste questions
• Unload, inspect, and sort incoming hazardous waste and prepare it for transport
• Sort waste by chemical composition into hazard types
• Package waste according to all state and federal regulations
• Safely use hand and power tools and equipment like drum dollies and pallet jacks
• Help clean up hazardous waste spills
• Respond to emergencies and chemical releases, depending on training and experience
• Prepare inventory counts, reports, and labpack documents

 Attributes for success

• Prioritizes working safely and following safety policies, practices and procedures
• Able to communicate clearly and work respectfully with a diverse group of customers and co-workers
• Likes variety and helping people
• Prefers work that exercises the mind and body
• Interested in learning to process hazardous materials
• Works accurately, pays attention to detail, and is able to remember complex information or processes
• Committed to Metro’s core values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability

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

• A high school diploma or G.E.D. AND
• One year of specialized training or experience in a field related to hazardous waste management; OR
• We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Required:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license 

Schedule: 

• Variable hour employees are hired and scheduled to work as needed by Metro. Employees in these roles may work up to 1040 hours per year and schedules vary based on business needs. Variable hour employees are not eligible for vacation or paid holidays but do accrue sick leave at a rate of 0.05 per hour paid, up to 104 hours per year. 
• We expect this assignment to end in November 2025.

Working Conditions 

Technicians work outdoors or under cover in all types of weather, serving customers and unloading materials from all kinds of cars and trucks. Conditions at collection events can be loud and may smell of vehicle exhaust and chemicals. This is a very physical position and technicians often must work while wearing protective equipment or clothing such as safety shoes, safety glasses, Tyvek suits, nitrile gloves, and respirators that can limit normal movements. Metro provides variable hour Hazardous Waste Technicians with work uniforms and all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for the job.

The job may require frequent or continuous standing, stooping, bending, twisting, walking, talking, sitting, feeling, grasping, handling and good general hearing. Activities also require occasional reaching, feeling, repetitive motions of the hands/wrists, kneeling, climbing, and the ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds, and push and/or pull up to 1,000 pounds using material handling equipment.

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. 

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.

• Experience with handling chemicals, chemical analysis, lab work, or working with radiation
• Associate’s degree and/or college-level coursework in chemistry, environmental science, or other natural science
• First aid and/or emergency response training
• Experience with pallet jacks, forklifts, drum dollies, or other moving equipment
• Experience working in a regulated industry such as trucking, healthcare, remediation, pesticide application, or manufacturing in a compliance role
• Language skills in addition to English, such as Spanish, Vietnamese or Russian

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 
• Responses to supplemental questions 

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 (if applicable)
• Reference check 
• Background and driving records check for finalist candidate/s

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The rate of pay for this position is $32.77 per hour.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by union AFSCME 3580. It is classified as a Hazardous Waste Technician. 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. 

Government Jobs

For assistance with your account or to reset your password please visit GovernmentJobs "Help and Support" page.   

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.