Environmental Specialist, Senior (Household Hazardous Waste)

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive
DEPARTMENT: Environmental Management
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $82,337 – $102,921/year
FULL SALARY RANGE: $82,337 – $128,651/year (109 grade)
LOCATION: Western Service Center, Apple Valley
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 22, 2026

The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Site Supervisor is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Dakota County’s new Recycling Zone Plus site in Lakeville. The HHW Site Supervisor will supervise facility staff, oversee employee schedules and contractor schedules, and manage the safety and health of employees and customers. The HHW Site Supervisor is responsible for ensuring facility customers receive outstanding service. This position is expected to work four – ten hour shifts Wednesday to Saturday.
Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

* Bachelor’s Degree in the physical or biological sciences (e.g. chemistry, physics, engineering, biology), environmental health, public health, natural resources or waste management, sustainability, environmental planning, or a closely related field AND three (3) years of experience in operating, coordinating, and/or implementing solid and hazardous waste programs.
OR
* Associate’s degree AND Five (5) years of experience in operating, coordinating, and/or implementing solid and hazardous waste programs.
AND
* A valid driver’s license.

Required Certifications(s) within 6 months of hire:
* Must complete OSHA HAZWOPER 24-Hour Certification.
* Forklift Operation Certification.

Preferred education/Experience Beyond Minimum Qualifications:
* Strongly preferred 2 years of lead and/or supervisory experience.
* Experience with hazardous waste management and/or working at a HHW facility.
* Degree in a directly related field
* Basic knowledge of Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, and the internet.
** Pursuant to Dakota County Policy and Procedures Manual, this position is designated as Safety Sensitive.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Provide work direction and evaluation of HHW facility employees.
2. Oversee HHW facility employee training needs and ensure safety and operational procedures are always followed.
3. Schedule employee and contractors to ensure proper coverage for site operations.
4. Manage safety, health, and risk at the facility.
5. Oversee coordination of the Very Small Hazardous Waste Generator program with facility operations.
6. Communicate professionally with customers on process, traffic flow and HHW program elements and effectively resolve issues.
7. Manage monetary transactions according to County procedures.
8. Develop and implement annual work plans that best serve program customers and achieve intended outcomes and goals.
9. Periodically review work plans and adjust employee resources, as necessary, to maximize their Application to work plan objectives and workload priorities.
10. Anticipate and take appropriate actions to address changing regulatory, technical, fiscal, or community issues.
11. Assess the needs of the community and recommend service adjustments to the HHW Program.
12. Develop and manage contracts, grant applications, reports and records.
13. Assist in unloading customers’ HHW, recyclables and other items.
14. Facilitate movement of materials through unloading, sorting and storage.
15. Identify chemicals by hazard type.
16. Oversee onsite contractor that is sorting, packaging, and bulking of hazardous wastes to ensure process is accurate, efficient and compliant.
17. Conduct facility inspections for safety and storage compliance.
18. Responsible for inspections of staging, accumulating, and storage areas to ensure proper housekeeping procedures and compliance.
19. Responsible for overseeing contractor’s final preparation before shipment in accordance with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and county policies.
20. Operate a variety of equipment as needed for facility operations. Examples listed below under Work Environment.
21. Determine and perform preventive maintenance and daily safety checks on equipment.
22. Oversee opening and closing procedures.
23. Perform all other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions: 1-22

• Working knowledge of environmental protection programs and services, current trends and resources, and the demonstrated ability and skill to apply this knowledge.
• Working knowledge of applicable Federal, State and Local laws, rules, and regulations, as well as regulatory processes.
• Knowledge of government functions and organizations affecting county government.
• Demonstrated project management skills, particularly as they may relate to environmental protection programs and initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in addressing and coordinating the resolution of complex environmental issues, and the ability to work independent of direct supervision to resolve complex environmental issues.
• Ability to conduct research, project planning, and use of statistical analysis.
• Skill in analyzing, interpreting, and presenting technical data.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, representatives of government and the private sector, and the general public.
• Ability to effectively participate in multi-disciplinary teams, to be a team leader when appropriate, and have a demonstrated ability to achieve desired results through the application of team concepts.
• Ability to develop and execute work plans with measurable outcomes that meet environmental objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in both verbal and written forms.
• Ability to prepare reports, letters, charts, maps, and other documents with strong attention to detail, using Microsoft Office Products, GIS software, and computer databases.
• Ability to employ strong organizational and time management skills.

Work Environment
Work may be performed at a County operated household hazardous waste facility. Travel may be required for the position. Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and requires the ability to perform physical tasks daily. The posture and movement requirements for this position are sitting, standing, walking, bending/stooping, push/pull balance, twisting and reaching. Position requires repetitive bending of the arm and use of feet, and frequent grasping of hands. Work tasks require frequent lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds. Team lifting is encouraged for any lifting over 50 pounds.

Exposures may include, but are not limited to changing weather conditions, moving vehicles and equipment, uneven and/or slippery surfaces, dust, dirt, oil, grease, solvents, vapors, hazardous wastes, infectious wastes, solid wastes, noise, sharp edges, and all hazards associated with a household hazardous waste and recycling facility. Position requires sensory demands of hearing, speech, near & far vision, tactile, and spatial perception. Driving is required for the position and staff must have the ability to use a variety of equipment. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to computer, calculator, telephone, scale, carts/dollies, totes, gaylord boxes, hand and power tools, brooms, shovels, pallet jack, hydraulic lift tables, forklift, wheel loader, floor scrubber, tanks, compactors, personal protective and safety equipment and any list of light and heavy equipment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks