Occupation · SOC 53-1042.01
Recycling Coordinators
Supervise curbside and drop-off recycling programs for municipal governments or private firms.
Median wage
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Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
—
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
10 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingManagement of Personnel ResourcesTime ManagementCritical ThinkingCoordinationActive ListeningReading ComprehensionMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingSocial PerceptivenessWritingPersuasionActive LearningService OrientationLearning StrategiesComplex Problem SolvingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisInstructingNegotiationMathematicsOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTroubleshootingTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisProgrammingScienceEquipment SelectionRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeEducation and TrainingProduction and ProcessingMathematicsEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityPersonnel and Human ResourcesComputers and ElectronicsTransportationLaw and GovernmentEconomics and AccountingMechanicalSales and MarketingEngineering and TechnologyPsychologyCommunications and MediaBuilding and ConstructionTelecommunicationsForeign LanguageSociology and AnthropologyGeographyChemistryDesignBiologyPhysicsTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionPhilosophy and TheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Email softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordOperational databasesSAP softwareWeb browser softwareWork scheduling software
Representative tasks
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesScheduling Work and ActivitiesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkWorking with ComputersDocumenting/Recording InformationGetting InformationProcessing InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesSelling or Influencing OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicAnalyzing Data or InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsTraining and Teaching OthersCoaching and Developing OthersThinking CreativelyMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Recycling pick-up logs — record daily material weights and collection totals under supervisor direction at a municipal recycling facility.Community ordinances — identify and review basic compliance requirements for curbside recycling programs with guidance from senior staff.Customer service requests — receive and document resident inquiries about recycling services using office suite software and standard intake forms.Recycling materials — sort and categorize incoming recyclables into designated streams following posted facility protocols.Electronic mail software — draft and send routine correspondence to customers and processing companies under coordinator oversight.Safety procedures — follow established safety protocols during recycling collection and drop-off operations at community sites.Spreadsheet software — enter recycling tonnage and shipment data into pre-built templates with supervisor review.Recycling technician tasks — assist experienced staff with daily operational duties at a transfer station or drop-off center.Basic recycling terminology — recognize and use correct material classification terms when communicating with team members on a collection route.Scheduling software — input assigned pick-up routes and volunteer shifts into a calendar tool following coordinator instructions.
developing
Recycling pick-up programs — oversee daily collection schedules and verify driver compliance with community ordinance requirements on assigned routes.Material logs — maintain accurate records of recyclables received and shipped to processing companies using spreadsheet and database software with minimal supervision.Customer service requests — review resident and business service requests, determine appropriate resource deployment, and follow up to confirm resolution.Recycling technicians — monitor team performance during shift operations and provide real-time guidance to correct unsafe or non-compliant practices.Safety training sessions — deliver standardized training to new recycling technicians and community service volunteers on solid waste handling procedures.Drop-off compliance — conduct routine site inspections and document any deviations from municipal recycling ordinances using standardized checklists.Processing company coordination — communicate shipment schedules and material specifications to external vendors via email and ERP software.Route efficiency — identify and report recurring delays or resource gaps in recycling pick-up operations to program management.Written reports — prepare weekly recycling activity summaries using word processing software for review by department supervisors.Recycling materials data — query database records to track material volumes, identify trends, and flag discrepancies in collection metrics.
proficient
Recycling compliance programs — autonomously oversee pick-up and drop-off operations across multiple service zones, ensuring full adherence to community ordinances.Material tracking systems — manage end-to-end logging of recyclables from collection through shipment, auditing database records for accuracy and completeness.Personnel supervision — independently supervise recycling technicians, community service workers, and volunteers, resolving performance issues and coordinating staffing needs.Service request resolution — analyze complex or non-routine customer service requests, apply critical thinking to allocate resources, and implement corrective actions facility-wide.Staff training programs — design and deliver comprehensive training curricula covering safety, solid waste processing regulations, and recycling operations for all facility personnel.New recycling opportunities — research and investigate emerging materials streams or collection partnerships, presenting feasibility findings to program leadership.ERP and data systems — utilize enterprise resource planning tools to optimize operational workflows, track program costs, and generate performance reports.Regulatory interpretation — read and apply updated public safety and environmental regulations to current recycling program practices without supervisory input.Stakeholder communication — communicate program changes, compliance requirements, and service updates clearly to residents, contractors, and municipal partners.Operational problem solving — diagnose and resolve equipment, staffing, or logistics failures that disrupt recycling operations with minimal service interruption.
advanced
Recycling program strategy — set long-term direction for community-wide recycling initiatives, aligning operational goals with municipal sustainability mandates and budget constraints.Organizational compliance framework — develop and implement policies that ensure consistent ordinance compliance across all recycling pick-up and drop-off programs in the service area.Workforce development — establish training standards, mentorship pathways, and performance evaluation systems for recycling coordinators and technicians across the organization.Materials recovery expansion — lead identification and negotiation of new recyclable materials streams, forging partnerships with processors and community organizations to grow program capacity.Cross-departmental coordination — collaborate with transportation, public works, and communications leaders to integrate recycling operations into broader municipal service delivery plans.Program performance accountability — define key performance indicators, analyze ERP and database outputs at scale, and present data-driven recommendations to elected officials or executive leadership.Budget and resource planning — oversee procurement of vehicles, equipment, and staffing resources for recycling operations, ensuring cost-effective allocation aligned with service demand.Community engagement strategy — design and lead public outreach campaigns using presentation and communication tools to increase recycling participation rates across diverse neighborhoods.Regulatory advocacy — represent the organization in interactions with regulatory agencies, contributing expertise to shape public safety and recycling policy at a regional level.Continuous improvement leadership — drive adoption of new technologies and process innovations across recycling operations, benchmarking performance against industry standards to advance organizational excellence.
Also known as
23 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Agency OperatorCorporate Recycling ManagerHeavy Equipment SupervisorMaterials ManagerRecycle CoordinatorRecycle SupervisorRecycling Center OperatorRecycling CoordinatorRecycling Crew SupervisorRecycling ManagerRecycling Operations ManagerRecycling OperatorRecycling Program ManagerRecycling SorterRecycling SpecialistRecycling SupervisorRecycling TechnicianRecycling WorkerRoute Rider SupervisorRoute SupervisorSolid Waste Division SupervisorSolid Waste Program ManagerWaste Reduction Coordinator