Zero Waste Tech (8213C), Facilities Services - 73578

The Zero Waste Technician at the University of California, Berkeley, supports solid waste management by maintaining equipment, collecting materials, and enhancing recycling efforts. Responsibilities include delivering containers, coordinating waste removal, performing maintenance on equipment, and monitoring waste sites. The role requires experience in recycling operations and the ability to interact positively with the campus community. This position is based on-site in Berkeley, CA.
About the position

The Zero Waste Technician at the University of California, Berkeley, plays a crucial role in supporting the integrated solid waste management programs. This position involves maintaining equipment, collecting materials, and ensuring cleanliness in assigned areas while performing preventative maintenance and repairs on waste management equipment. The technician will work closely with various campus departments to enhance recycling and composting efforts, contributing to the university's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Responsibilities
• Deliver containers and apply signage/stickers for clients, providing appropriate verbal and written instructions.
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• Make recommendations to increase diversion and operational efficiency such as service changes and signage.
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• Relocate recycling, compost, and refuse receptacles as necessary.
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• Respond to emergency recycling, compost, or refuse needs; perform special tasks as assigned by Operations Supervisor and zero waste staff.
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• Coordinate and physically remove and properly sort materials from loading for recycling, composting, and reuse.
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• Loading, unloading, and sorting of materials into bins, packer trucks, flatbed trucks, vehicles, compactors, and balers.
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• Push and move dumpsters, wheeled carts, bales, and various containers into position to be loaded by packer truck, flatbed, or other vehicles.
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• Use of hand trucks and pallet jacks as required. Operate compacting, baling, dumping, and various controls on cart lifters, compactors, balers, packer trucks, flatbed trucks, and vehicles.
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• Clean and wash trash, recycling and compost receptacles and loading docks.
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• Assure all dumpsters, carts, bins, equipment, and enclosures have proper signage and labels, decals, and stickers.
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• Assembly, maintenance, and repairs of dumpsters, wheeled carts, bins, and equipment.
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• Conduct repairs and maintenance on Solar Bellies as needed.
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• Monitor campus-wide garbage, compost, and recycling sites to keep Zero Waste Specialists aware of problems and flow patterns.
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• Maintain a log of the amount of material that can be kept out of the garbage and recovered as recyclable, compostable, or for reuse.
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• Tallying information related to material sorting and using Excel to enter data on a daily basis.
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• Using Excel spreadsheets to input information regarding special projects and marketing campaigns.
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• Take digital photos of garbage, recycling and compost as well as special materials and upload to computer as necessary.
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• Use work order system to track customer requests.
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• Adhere to all university and departmental safety guidelines.

Requirements
• A minimum of 12 months of working experience in grounds, recycling, and compost bin route collection operations; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
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• Ability to properly operate and provide daily/weekly basic maintenance of dumpsters, bins, equipment, compactors, balers, and vehicles.
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• Demonstrated ability to read, write and follow oral/written instructions provided in English.
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• Ability to interact in a positive manner with campus community, including students, building managers, asset managers, academic personnel, and craft personnel.
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• Ability to work within a multi-cultural environment.
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• Working knowledge of management of recyclables and compostable materials accepted on campus and items that are considered contamination.
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• Demonstrated working knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in grounds, recycling, and composting work and related safe work practices.
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• On a regular basis ability to lift up to 75 pounds; walk distances of up to mile; bend and stoop to remove materials; lift materials overhead; and to work indoors/outdoors in fluctuating and/or extreme weather conditions.
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• Ability to work different shifts beginning as early as 4:00 a.m. and ending as late as 8:00 p.m.
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• Ability to work weekdays, weekends, some holidays, and some overtime.

Nice-to-haves

Benefits
• Comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California.
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• At least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year for professional development activities.