Zero Waste Rep/Account Representative/environmental outreach

The Zero Waste Rep/Account Representative position at Environmental Consulting Firm involves full-time fieldwork in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Responsibilities include educating customers about recycling and organics collection, conducting site visits, participating in waste characterization studies, and engaging in community outreach. Candidates need a valid CA driver's license and a reliable vehicle, along with customer service or waste industry experience.
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Zero Waste Rep/Account Representative/environmental outreach
Zero Waste Reps will be full-time employees working with commercial and multi-family accounts for Universal Waste Systems in the North East Zone of the City of LA, as well as in other Southern California cities. Their job will be to “sell” services enroll and educate customers in mandatory recycling and SB 1383 mandatory organics collection and food rescue programs for all businesses and multi-family facilities, and help our company maximize the amount of recycling/diversion from landfill. They will spend the majority of time in the field visiting accounts, as well as time in the office compiling data, scheduling appointments, and in team meetings.


They will also participate in weekly waste characterization activities (sorting of trash, recyclables, and organics into distinct material categories) at our Material Recovery Facility in Santa Fe Springs. They will be required participate in and provide education at local Farmers Markets and other community events in person (including some evening and weekend events).


ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Represent Universal Waste Systems as the service provider for the recycling & organics collection programs to hundreds of businesses and multi-family customers in the city of Los Angeles, South Gate, Los Alamitos, Maywood, and several other cities
Educate, monitor and assist customers with program elements (waste prevention, recycling, organics)
Conduct regular and ongoing business and multi-family site visits, measure enclosures, perform waste assessments and “right-sizing” (fine tuning container types, sizes, frequency, site access)
Participate in regular waste characterization studies (sorting and documenting waste, recycling & organics)
Provide logistical account support including, but not limited to: setting up Service Agreements, overseeing accounts, identifying problem areas, and providing employee training opportunities
Document, photograph and maintain accurate account records and reports
Advise and support customers in setting up their internal recycling programs
Educate customers on waste prevention techniques, material reuse, and edible food rescue
Participate in public education and outreach activities (e.g. farmer’s markets, community events)
Conduct route review & contamination checks as required by jurisdictions
Educate customers on state regulations (i.e. AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383 etc.) and help local jurisdictions enforce the requirements
Utilize customized outreach software (filemaker) to maintain and update customers’ account and diversion data, and document all communications
Provide field observation notes for company reports, presentations, and social media outreach
Troubleshoot logistical and operational challenges
Handle client communications, conflict resolution, and program compliance
Provide support to other UWS departments, including Customer Service and Operations

QUALIFICATIONS:

Valid CA driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle required
One or more years of high-volume Customer Service or Waste Industry experience required, or Five (5) years general customer facing work experience
High School Diploma or equivalent required, college degree preferred
Customer Enrollment or Sales experience preferred
Previous experience managing client relationships preferred
Bilingual preferred (i.e. Spanish, Mandarin, Thai, Armenian)
Ability to perform physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodations
Physical ability to walk, stand, and work in the field for a majority of the time
Ability to move carts, open bin lids, and lift up to 50 lbs. if needed
Ability to perform manual sorting of waste and recycling materials with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Sensitivity in interacting with individuals from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds
Zero Waste experience or training a plus

GENERAL SKILLS REQUIRED:

Proficiency and experience with tablet & smartphone technology and mobile software (especially MS Outlook, Calendar and Excel)
Positive attitude
Persistence and determination
Adaptability and flexibility
Superb customer service, social skills, and confident communication, on the phone and in person
Enthusiasm and ability to promote the City’s and Company’s waste disposal, recycling, and zero waste education to diverse businesses and multi-family housing customers
Critical thinking and ability to assess customer needs and concerns
Creative approach to prevent waste, incr