1. Waste Management Specialist Agricultural Careers Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education April 2006 By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Asha Wise

2. Job Duties & Responsibilities Design and implement waste treatment programs, processes, equipment, and facilities such as landfills. Inspect landfills and assist in assessing incinerators and air pollution control systems. Collect and analyze samples and supervise quality assurance activities for solid waste and wastewater processing. Work with health officials to develop and interpret regulations, address complaints, and report violations. Advise operators on disposal methods and recommend environmentally responsible waste management strategies. Identify markets for recovered materials.

3. Qualities and Skills One interested in pursuing a career as a waste management specialist needs to be patient and resourceful with sound reasoning and decision making skills. Strong communication skills and good problem solving ability will be beneficial in advancement. One also needs to be able to work independently and as a team.

4. Salary Starting salaries for waste management specialists begin around $25,000 per year for those with a bachelor’s degree Those with experience typically earn anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 a year depending on their employer and level of education

5. Work Environment Both indoor and outdoor in waste management plants Exposure to health and accidental hazards may occur May have to work at odd times, such as night shifts and weekends Work a typical 40-hour week

6. Education The minimum requirement for this occupation is a bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, chemistry, biology, or a related major.

7. Career Resources Air and Waste Management Association One Gateway Center, 3rd Floor 420 Fort Duquesne Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1435 http://www.awma.org Solid Waste Association of North America P.O. Box 7219 Silver Spring, MD 20907-7219 http://www.swana.org The Waste Management Institute http://www.ncat.edu/~wmi The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research http://www.iger.bbsrc.ac.uk Waste Wise http://www.epa.gov