Airport Zero Waste Coordinator

Job Description

The City of Atlanta Department of Aviation is seeking a highly skilled Zero Waste Coordinator to join our dynamic Sustainability team. The successful candidate will help the airport reach its waste diversion goals by developing, implementing, and managing comprehensive solid waste, recycling, and circular economy programs across airport operations. This role will drive innovation in waste diversion, resource recovery, and sustainability practices to reduce the airport’s environmental footprint and operational costs.

• Reports to the Senior Director of Sustainability.
• May work independently or with others with responsibility for completion of assigned tasks.

• Design, implement, and manage airport-wide waste management and recycling strategies in alignment with sustainability goals.
• Conduct waste audits, data analysis, and reporting to identify trends, track progress, and optimize diversion rates.
• Develop or update waste management and recycling policies across the Airport as needed.
• Coordinate with Department of Aviation departments, airlines, tenants, concessions, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure consistent waste management practices and compliance with waste management and recycling policies.
• Participate in management of contracts with waste haulers, recyclers, and specialty disposal providers; assist with monitoring vendor performance and compliance.
• Develop and execute training and awareness programs for Airport staff and stakeholders to encourage waste reduction and proper material handling.
• Contribute to ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations and maintain required documentation.
• Identify opportunities for innovation such as waste reduction, composting, food recovery, reuse, and circular economy initiatives.
• Support sustainability and ESG reporting, contributing metrics and narrative on waste reduction efforts.
• Collaborate with engineering and construction teams to integrate waste minimization strategies into construction projects.
• Represent the airport in meetings, industry forums, and stakeholder engagements related to waste and resource management.
• Contribute to strategic planning for Sustainability.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Direction received is very general and focuses on end results and is typically collaborative in nature.

Serves as a resource to other employees and may lead or instruct less experienced workers.

• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret waste management and recycling data.
• Ability to identify and describe a range of possible solutions for solving waste management and recycling challenges.
• Ability to use appropriate software tools to prepare reports and presentations.
• Knowledge of tools like Excel, data management software, or sustainability platforms for tracking and analyzing metrics, and streamlining processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Attention to detail and good problem‑solving skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Self‑starter with ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with data management software and/or sustainability platforms for tracking, analyzing, and streamlining processes.
• Strong analytical skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Engineering, Waste Management, or related field. (Additional years of experience may be considered as a substitute for the required degree on an exceptional basis, with a minimum of seven (7) years of professional related experience in waste management and recycling, or an advanced degree with a minimum of one (1) year of professional related experience.)
• Three (3)+ years of experience in waste management and recycling.
• Knowledge of solid waste and recycling regulations, reporting requirements, and best practices.
• Experience managing vendor contracts and large-scale waste or recycling programs. Airport, aviation, or large facility experience strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical and data management skills, with experience…