Household Hazardous Waste Specialist

Salary $71,643.66 - $ annually

Job Number: 26

EED
380MN
08

Closing Date: 8/31/2026 11:59 PM Central

The Solid Waste division seeks a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Specialist to manage Household Hazardous Waste collection event collections, and to oversee the development and implementation of disposal contracts for hazardous waste materials. Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit the employee referral program page.

Find us here at upcoming career fairs!

This position will work at two of our drop-off facilities: the Brooklyn Park Transfer Station at 8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445, and the South Hennepin Recycling Center and Problem Waste Drop-off Center at 1400 West 96th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431. Work hours will be Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with flexibility based on operational needs.

New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.

This is a full-time, benefit earning position. This position is internally classified as an Environmentalist, Senior.  to view the job classification specification.

• Coordinate Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) events; review event invoices and program documents.
• Write and submit state and contractual notifications.
• Schedule collection events and review, approve, and direct event logistics; work with the Education & Outreach division on event communications.
• Schedule and coordinate with contractors (e.g., waste management, operational staff, county staff, and other partners).
• Review, establish, and audit on-site safety and regulatory compliance; review wastes delivered for acceptability.
• Coordinate and maintain medicine program.
• Review and sign shipping documents; enter and file all pertinent data and paperwork.
• Compile and report on each year's collection event data and financials.
• Participate in the development and management of hazardous waste disposal contracts.
• Participate in the development and implementation of product stewardship initiatives.
• Conduct technical review on proposed federal, state, and local laws, rules, or policies affecting county HHW and medicine collections.

• One of the following:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in chemistry or chemical engineering or a closely related field and two years of experience in hazardous waste management or industrial chemical testing and analysis.
  • Associates degree in a field closely related to the assignment and four years of experience in work related to the assignment.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to obtain a Hennepin County driver's permit within six months of hire.

• Certification as a Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) or a Hazardous Materials Practitioner (CHMP) or the ability to become certified within two years of employment.
• Experience:
  • Managing HHW collections, including identification, sorting, packaging, and shipping hazardous wastes.
  • In chemical safety.
  • Developing, managing, and evaluating HHW disposal contracts and agreements.
  • Evaluating programs by collecting and analyzing outcome data.
• Project management experience within a hazardous waste setting.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations related to hazardous waste.
• Ability:
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with others.
  • Organize programs and maintain effective relationships with municipal officials, contractors, and the general public.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Marita Nguyen marita.nguyen