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  • Zero Waste Specialist

    Palo Alto, California United States City of Palo Alto Part Time $25.00 - $30.00 Hourly Jun 21, 2025
    City of Palo Alto Employer:

    City of Palo Alto

    Palo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose.  Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.   Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.   The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.    Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long learning. Stanford’s cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City’s exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.  Join an Award Winning Team Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.  

    Job Description

    Description

    About Zero Waste Palo Alto: Zero Waste Palo Alto in the City’s Environmental Services Division is recruiting a team member with a passion for data reconciliation, communicating with the public the requirements of materials management, and with experience working with businesses to reach compliance with solid waste, compost and recycling requirements. To learn more about Zero Waste Palo Alto, click here.

    About the Position: The Zero Waste Specialist is a part-time position that assists with billing reconciliation and conducts field inspections related to refuse enforcement and customer inquiries. This position, with direction and supervision, is responsible for:
    • Reviews and assists with reconciliation of refuse customer data to ensure accuracy in billing
    • Investigates and resolves service and billing discrepancies by collaborating with internal teams to determine billing adjustments
    • Reviews service issues related to neighbors leaving their waste containers out in the public right-of-way, illegal dumping, unauthorized debris boxes and customer waste sorting issues
    • Conducts field inspections, takes pictures, communicates with residents and businesses through telephone, email and warning letters, and maintains details in a database
    • Works with the City's contracted refuse hauler to conduct service audits in the field and resolve issues related to billing, waste containers, refuse enclosures and deconstruction requirements
    • May work community special events to assist with Zero Waste outreach.


    Ideal Candidate

    The ideal candidate will possess the following:
    • Knowledge of zero waste principles and solid waste management
    • Experience in public communication and waste industry
    • Excellent communication, teamwork skills and eagerness to learn
    • Positive, detailed oriented and with excellent organizational skills
    • Experience in Microsoft Office programs, specifically Excel.
    • Able to work occasional weekends and early mornings

    This is a Limited Hourly non-benefited position and not to exceed 999 hours per fiscal year (July - June) or 960 for retirees. The number of hours per week and schedule will be determined based on the assignment.

    Shift Information: Part Time Hourly In-Person M-F (20 hours per week). To learn more about the limited hourly benefits click here

    Essential Duties

    Essential Functions and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • Communicate zero waste requirements to businesses, the public, and City staff.
    • Ensure customers are correctly billed for refuse services, properly sorting and managing their waste, and meeting municipal code requirements.
    • Assist in writing letters, notices, compliance agreements, and administrative penalties.
    • Conduct and document audit of waste containers.
    • Perform field inspections of projects to ensure conformance with building plan requirements for refuse enclosures and refuse waste stations.
    • Perform field inspections of businesses including meeting with managers or business owners to discuss proper procedures for when and how refuse carts are placed out for service.
    • Conduct field inspections of construction projects to ensure compliance with the City's deconstruction requirements.
    • Contact construction contractors and/or sub-contractors to communicate the City's debris box requirements.
    • Coordinate development and research of solid waste reduction activities.


    Minimum Qualifications

    • Valid California Driver's License
    • Two years of college
    • Two years of work experience in the solid waste field.


    Supplemental Information

    The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

    This is a non-benefited position.

    Closing Date/Time: 7/11/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

    Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

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Government Sanitation Jobs: Opportunities & Career Paths

Government Sanitation Jobs: Opportunities & Career Paths

Government sanitation jobs are vital for maintaining public health and ensuring cities and towns stay clean, safe, and functional. These roles contribute to the community’s well-being by managing waste, recycling, and promoting environmental sustainability. Whether you are interested in exploring new employment opportunities or advancing your career, government sanitation provides various job types, career paths, and growth opportunities.

 

What Are Government Sanitation Jobs?

Government sanitation jobs primarily focus on collecting, disposing, and managing waste, recyclables, and other refuse in city or municipal settings. These roles ensure the community remains free from hazardous waste materials and other environmental risks.

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Sanitation workers often use heavy machinery, such as collection vehicles and trucks, to transport trash, recyclables, and debris. They also handle community requests for special disposal services, such as bulk trash pickups or hazardous waste collection.

While these roles demand physical endurance and attention to detail, they provide a rewarding work experience for those who take pride in keeping their communities clean. Government sanitation employees often receive assistance from team members to manage daily tasks effectively. Furthermore, those in these roles support and manage teams to ensure smooth operations across waste collection services.

For individuals interested in searching for stable, impactful careers, government sanitation jobs offer a fulfilling path where they can directly contribute to public health and environmental safety.

 

Career Paths in Government Sanitation

One of the most appealing aspects of government sanitation jobs is the ability to grow within the field. Starting in entry-level positions, employees can work up to supervisory and specialized roles. Typical entry-level roles include laborers, equipment operators, or maintenance workers, which require hands-on experience and formal training.

As employees gain experience, they may move into roles such as:

  • Waste Management Coordinator: This role involves organizing and overseeing waste collection and recycling programs.
  • Environmental Specialist: A position focused on implementing sustainable practices and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
  • Equipment Operator: Operate specialized machinery for waste disposal and recycling, such as collection vehicles and trucks.
  • Supervisory and Management Roles: These positions require leadership skills to manage teams, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain the efficiency of sanitation operations.

With the right experience, employees may even have the opportunity to transition into adjacent fields, such as public health, environmental conservation, or even business ownership related to waste management services. Some workers may pursue specialized licenses or certifications to enhance their expertise in handling specific types of waste or machinery.

 

Working in City Government Sanitation

City government sanitation jobs are typically fast-paced and dynamic, requiring workers to respond to service requests, navigate tight schedules, and maintain high performance. These roles range from refuse collection to recycling coordination, often requiring a keen understanding of the city’s waste management infrastructure.

Employees must have a strong work ethic, physical ability, and familiarity with local ordinances and policies governing sanitation services. Additionally, many sanitation workers rely on modern technology to track and optimize their daily operations.

For example, collection vehicles are often equipped with GPS systems to ensure that routes are followed efficiently and that disposal sites are visited at the appropriate times. This ensures that city regulations manage waste.

Customer service is another critical aspect of city sanitation roles, as employees must interact with residents, answer questions, and address concerns related to waste disposal and recycling. Responding to public concerns about trash collection and ensuring timely and courteous service is essential to the success of any sanitation department.

Working in city government sanitation offers a sense of pride and a feeling of accomplishment, as employees play a direct role in improving the quality of life for their fellow citizens. By contributing to a cleaner and healthier urban environment, sanitation workers help create more livable communities.

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Advancing Your Career in Government Sanitation

Those looking to advance in their government sanitation careers should take a proactive approach to professional development. While experience on the job is necessary, employees should also consider pursuing additional training, certifications, or leadership opportunities.

Some strategies for career advancement include:

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  1. Certifications: Obtaining certifications in specialized areas such as hazardous waste management or environmental conservation can set employees apart from their peers and open doors to higher-paying positions.
  2. Networking: Building relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and professionals in the field can help employees stay informed about job openings and best practices. Networking also provides opportunities to learn from more experienced professionals.
  3. Taking Initiative: Seeking out new challenges, offering to mentor less experienced colleagues, or taking on leadership roles within the department can all demonstrate a commitment to career growth.
  1. Staying Updated on Technology: As waste management systems become increasingly reliant on technology, such as automated disposal systems and collection vehicle tracking, employees who are well-versed in these tools will be better positioned for advancement.

Government sanitation careers often require continuous learning and adaptation as industry standards and regulations evolve. Whether mastering new machinery or keeping up with the latest environmental legislation, employees must remain committed to their professional growth.

 

Job Types and Specializations

Government sanitation jobs cover a variety of specializations, from waste collection and recycling to environmental conservation. Some common job types include:

  • Sanitation Worker: The hands-on labor role responsible for cleaning, collecting, and disposing waste.
  • Waste Management Coordinator: Oversees city-wide waste management programs, ensures compliance with regulations, and improves efficiency in collection routes.
  • Environmental Specialist: Focuses on sustainability initiatives, including promoting recycling and reducing the environmental impact of waste.
  • Equipment Operator: Operates specialized machinery used in waste management processes, such as trucks and compactors.

Many government sanitation jobs require specific skills, such as operating equipment or maintaining licenses for handling hazardous materials. Others may focus on managerial tasks, such as ensuring team performance and responding to public inquiries. Specialized roles, like environmental specialists, are crucial in protecting the environment by promoting recycling programs and reducing the city’s overall waste footprint.

 

Conclusion: A Career with Purpose

Government sanitation jobs offer fulfilling career paths that allow employees to make a tangible impact on their communities. Whether starting as an entry-level laborer or pursuing a management position, numerous opportunities exist to grow and succeed in this field. By staying proactive, continuously learning, and utilizing your skills, you can build a rewarding career in government sanitation, all while contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone.

This career path offers stability and the satisfaction of knowing that your work directly benefits the public and helps to ensure a better future for your city and beyond.

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