Recycling engagement officer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering
• applying directly

University

You can get into this job with a higher national diploma or degree in any subject. You may have an advantage if you have studied for a qualification in:

• business and environment
• environment and sustainability
• community development
• public relations or marketing

Some employers might want you to have a qualification that is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) .

Entry requirements:

• between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree

College

You could do a college course to help you learn some of the skills and knowledge you need to become a recycling engagement officer. For example a certificate or diploma in:

• sustainable resource management
• business management
• marketing
• public relations

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could begin by doing an apprenticeship like:

• Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Environmental Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These take a minimum of 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

You could volunteer at a recycling centre to get practical experience of working in waste management.

You could also take part in community or environmental based schemes to show your interest in local affairs.

DirectApplication

You could apply directly to work as a recycling engagement officer.

You'll be expected to have an understanding of the issues around recycling, as well as experience of bringing different groups together to work on projects.

More information

You can find out more about careers and training in recycling from the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM).

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• leadership skills
• the ability to work well with others
• business management skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be flexible and open to change
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• maths knowledge
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• administration skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to motivate and manage staff
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to read English
• concentration skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace

What you'll do:

Recycling engagement officers run local recycling schemes and promote recycling in the community.

As a recycling engagement officer, you could:

• improve take-up of local recycling and collection services
• deal with contracts, budgets and funding applications for schemes
• organise and promote local sustainability projects and events
• give advice on waste management and recycling issues
• recruit and train community volunteers

Green job

As a recycling engagement officer, you'll explain the benefits of recycling to the public. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

Location : You could work in an office or at a waste recycling site.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Uniform : You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Salary:

Starter : £22,500
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings

Career Path:

With experience, you could:

• become an engagement and partnerships manager
• move into freelance work as an environmental or sustainability consultant
• apply for chartered environmentalist status