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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 -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo 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.
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