New

Community Change Grant Recyling Educator

City of New Haven
Within Local 3144 Range 7: $56,687 annualized
United States, Connecticut, New Haven
165 Church Street (Show on map)
Apr 29, 2025
Introduction The Office of Climate and Sustainability works with City departments, community organizations, and New Haven residents to advance and coordinate city-wide climate and environmental sustainability policies, practices, and initiatives. The Office seeks to implement climate mitigation and adaptation solutions that intersect with and address the immediate challenges facing our residents: from finding safe and affordable housing, to accessing quality employment opportunities, to improving air quality and respiratory health. Our work is particularly focused on addressing the health and economic impacts of climate change in underserved communities that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19 and are still overcoming the legacy of redlining. In 2019, the City of New Haven formally recognized the urgency of the climate crisis by adopting a Climate Emergency Resolution calling for ending community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2030. In 2021, the City adopted its Community Electrification Resolution, committing the City to electrifying City buildings and vehicles in the same time frame. The following year the City approved the Safe Routes for All Active Transportation Plan, which maps out a city-wide bicycle network and lays out plans for pedestrian and transit improvements. These efforts build upon prior public policy initiatives including the City's 2018 Climate and Sustainability Framework and the Move New Haven transportation study in partnership with the state of Connecticut Department of Transportation. PRIMARY FUNCTIONS Work involves a broad spectrum of responsibilities associated with the implementation and administration of City recycling and composting programs as well as projects concerning waste reduction and reuse. Work will include primary or secondary responsibilities for public relations, public education, equipment and services procurement, program design and implementation, intergovernmental relations, volunteer recruitment and supervision, technical assistance, networking, research, evaluation, record-keeping, reporting and administration. In this specific grant assignment, the recycling educator will develop and implement waste reduction and recycling programs through education and outreach as part of the City's recently awarded $20 M US EPA Community Change Grant. Over the three year grant period, this position will work in partnership with New Haven Public Schools, the Department of Public Works, the New Haven Solid Waste and Recycling Authority, the Office of Climate and Sustainability, and the general public in order to expand education on recycling and food scrap diversion by building a campaign centered around schools and community canvassing. The recycling educator will work with residents, businesses, and New Haven Public Schools to improve recycling through decreased contamination and increased quantity of recycled material. The primary focus of this position will be on education and enforcement of single stream recycling, but duties will also extend to education and enforcement regarding organics recycling (composting) and hard to recycle materials (such as household hazardous waste). Another key focus area of this position is to use education and outreach to reduce illegal dumping and littering in the community. Learn more about the Community Change Grants HERE. TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Educate residents to encourage participation in Curbside Recycling Program through paid and free press mediums, existing organizations and outreach efforts, events, contests and speaking engagements. Research markets for items to recycle and propose methods of collection and arrangements for processing and marketing. Assist institutions and businesses in identifying recycling needs and systems, and provide them with appropriate technical assistance, materials and direction. Create and produce effective educational materials for various audiences. Help to create, implement and improve a comprehensive enforcement program for residential and commercial recycling programs. Procure services and equipment for collection, material transport and processing, printing, mailing, and other items. Oversee solid waste, recycling, and composting operations, monitor for effectiveness and intervene when problems occur. Minimize contamination in loads of recyclables from City programs. Implement external collection of recyclables from public schools and provide assistance to those implementing internal collection. Implement comprehensive recycling in City offices. Track City programs and record information such as collected tonnage. Research, plan and implement source reduction and waste reuse programs. Performs related work as required. As it relates to this specific assignment, these duties are focused on waste reduction and recycling programs through education and outreach as part of the City's recently awarded $20 M US EPA Community Change Grant. Organizes and/or attends outreach and education events, campaigns and promotions in order to promote recycling and composting programs. Works with City departments, public schools, nonprofit partners, businesses, and residents to ensure compliance with recycling laws and waste-related regulations. Develops, promotes, and presents school-based recycling and composting programs. Organizes student recycling team to increase recycling education in public schools and educate students through field trips to regional materials management sites. EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, with major coursework in public administration, environmental studies, engineering or related field; and 3-5 years experience in environmental issues involving organizing events, projects, programs and groups of people, producing educational materials and preparing other written documents, as well as analytical and administrative skills, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the knowledge, abilities, and skills below. For this particular role, related fields also include: Environmental Sciences, Environmental Education, Business Administration. English / Spanish bilingual is highly desired and encouraged to apply, as communication with Spanish-speaking audiences will be likely. KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES Considerable knowledge of methods to effectively organize events including planning, implementation and evaluation; Considerable knowledge of public relations principles and practices to plan and implement a City-wide promotional campaign to suit community needs; Considerable knowledge of the methods to communicate and express oneself clearly, both orally and in writing, to diverse groups and individuals; Ability to communicate with other governmental agencies, City departments and Public Works personnel; Ability to conduct research and identify information sources; Ability to develop well-written descriptions, correspondence and materials; Ability to plan, develop and conduct educational workshops relating to recycling, composting, source reduction and reuse; Ability to successfully organize volunteers and events; Ability to evaluate and assess projects; Ability to report on programs for use internally, for other City agencies and for State agencies. As this is a role serving climate and environmental goals, familiarity with related issues is encouraged: Knowledge of solid waste collection, recycling, composting, source separation, waste reduction, and related environmental areas; general knowledge of program objectives, procedures and organization; general knowledge of refuse collection practices. Knowledge of Federal regulations, Connecticut state laws, regulations and codes as applicable to recycling, hazardous waste and solid waste collection and disposal. As there is a great deal of interaction and presentations with other agencies, schools, the public, and other stakeholders, site visits will require a valid CT driver's license. SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT This is a "Special Fund," non-tested position. Continued employment contingent upon availability of future funding. Funding may be terminated at any time. This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 3144, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Bargaining agreements available to review HERE. Special Funded employees shall not be covered by the City pension but shall continue to be covered by Social Security. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening in accordance with the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment. Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana. Selection Plan Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification. It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process.* Your application and resume should indicate that you meet the minimum requirements as listed. This information may be used to determine the eligibility list. Submissions may be evaluated prior to a posted closing date, and a hiring decision may be made prior to the removal of the job posting. Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE. Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department. We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position. Conclusion To apply for this opportunity: Complete your User Registration. You are encouraged to save your Applicant Profile for future use. You MUST click on the job posting you are interested in, and click Apply or Apply Online from within that posting. MAKE SURE the job you are applying for is named at the top of the page as you review your application! Review or modify your application for that position Click "Ready to Send App" or the "Send" tab; read page and click the attestation Click "Send to City of New Haven" You will be redirected to "CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION" You will also receive an email and text, if a number was provided, confirming your submission If you do not receive this confirmation in the next 24 hours, your application has not been submitted - please contact us at NHJobs@newhavenct.gov Please Note, your Profile is NOT an application for an open position. After you create your Applicant Profile, you must still click on a Job Title and complete the application as instructed for each position.