Waste Minimisation Officer

Description of duties:
· To work with other staff in the Department to help ensure that the Directorate delivers the best value and highest quality waste management, recycling and street cleansing services possible within the resources available to it in line with the Council’s waste minimisation strategy, the Service Delivery Plan and the Waste Collection, Recycling and Street Cleansing Contract.
· To plan and implement an annual programme of waste minimisation education to different audiences to increase waste minimisation, reuse and recycling awareness within the Borough. To ensure educational programmes complement local, regional and national campaigns where appropriate (e.g. Recycle Western Riverside, Recycle Now, Compost Awareness).
· To assist the Waste Services Development Manager in preparing and implementing recycling schemes, campaigns and strategies and contributing to reports where applicable.
· To work with Communications to deliver effective communication strategies throughout the year that promote services, provide information and education to increase participation in recycling and encourage waste minimisation, reuse, and composting.
· To work with Communications to provide up to date information on waste minimisation and waste services in the borough through a variety of media channels including digital and face-to-face.
· To monitor and inspect the work of contractors in the delivery of waste & recycling related activities ensuring that the highest possible standards are maintained and that the contractor is operating safely, lawfully and within the agreed parameters of their contract.
· To liaise with the Council’s contractor for waste collection and recycling services to ensure that existing and new services are operated and implemented effectively.
· To help to promote an enthusiastic, positive and professional atmosphere within the Department and to help to provide a customer and stakeholder focused approach to delivering all of the Department’s services.
· To support the Waste Services Development Manager in investigating and resolving queries, enquiries and complaints to ensure that these are dealt with efficiently and appropriately and that a satisfactory resolution is achieved within the Department’s adopted target response times
· To present monthly statistical analysis and reports highlighting the recycling rates and plan, develop and undertake special projects to increase future recycling and waste minimisation.
· To assist the Waste Services Development Manager with the preparation of contract specifications, documentation for recycling services and in advising and liaising with the planning department in relation to waste and recycling provision/services and to ensure new planning applications account for these.
· To report defects to neighbourhood recycling 'bring-sites’ and to commission work to ensure they have been carried out in accordance with set procedures and guidelines.
· To monitor and ensure all work duties are correctly recorded on appropriate systems and to use, maintain and keep updated IT systems, whether remote or office based, to ensure the efficient working of the team.
· To work closely with colleagues to develop a coordinated approach to waste minimization activities and liaise with other Council staff including, but not limited to, waste & street cleansing officers, the enforcement team, planning and housing on relevant issues.
· To work flexibly in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of the post and participate as required in multi-disciplinary, cross-directorate and cross-organisational groups, projects and task teams.
· To research new potential waste minimisation and recycling initiatives, including identifying and applying for external funding where appropriate.
· To plan and attend activities and events aimed at promoting recycling and waste minimisation to the public.
· Working to increase recycling and waste minimisation within Council buildings and facilities, including gathering of data, monitoring and promotion of recycling services to minimise council disposal costs
· To undertake any other duties of a similar nature as may be required by the changing needs of the service