Construction and Demolition Zero Waste Associate

Who We Are
The San Francisco Environment Department (SF Environment) advances climate protection and enhances quality of life for all San Franciscans. SF Environment is a department within the City and County of San Francisco, a local government committed to innovation, leadership and collaboration in creating environmental change. SF Environment is recognized worldwide for its environmental policies and programs, which center on achieving zero waste, reducing toxic chemical hazards, advancing environmental justice, promoting sustainable transportation modes, expanding clean energy infrastructure, greening our built environment, and protecting our urban forest. We’re a passionate, mission-driven team that values credibility, collaboration, impact, innovation and equity. SF Environment is also a great place to work, offering an attractive benefits package that includes healthcare and retirement.

SF Environment - Statement on Racial Equity
For over 20 years, SF Environment has worked with San Francisco’s Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities to mitigate environmental burdens, increase accessibility of environmental programs and benefits, engage community members, and improve health outcomes. BIPOC communities are disproportionately exposed to environmental stressors that include air and soil pollution, illegal dumping of toxics and other materials, industrial land uses and transportation impacts. They are more likely to live in housing conditions with limited access to green space and where poor indoor air quality from pests, mold, and the use of toxic products contributes to the prevalence of asthma and other health disparities. They are more likely to be employed in areas with high levels of exposure to toxics. Now, they are the first communities feeling the impacts of climate change, with the fewest resources to respond. SF Environment has a longstanding commitment to the principles of environmental justice, whereby communities most impacted by environmental stressors and climate change are prioritized and the long-time work of community leaders is recognized and supported. We are committed to uplifting the contributions of local environmental leaders of diverse racial backgrounds and ensuring that racial equity is the cornerstone of all of our programs, policies, and services.

Role description

The Construction and Demolition (C&D) Zero Waste Associate is an entry-level role designed to offer exposure to a career pathway in sustainability with a focus on resource recovery. As the C&D Zero Waste Associate, you will actively monitor debris generation and management from most construction projects in San Francisco. You will engage with contractors, debris transporters, and resource recovery facilities to communicate local regulatory requirements and educate on environmental best practices. The C&D Zero Waste Associate is also responsible for implementing the debris transporter permitting process, as well as driving compliance with other elements of San Francisco’s C&D debris recovery ordinance.  You will gain exposure to State laws and requirements, develop programs with regional partners and advocate for improved environmental outcomes. The work focuses on one of the largest sources of solid waste, provides an introduction to environmental policy development, and explores closed loop solutions to C&D material streams. The Associate will also gain knowledge of outreach and communication tactics, public speaking, program administration, and database management.

What You’ll Do - The duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this position and are not intended to be an inclusive list:

• Assist with implementation, monitoring and improvement of zero waste programs and policies in the C&D sector in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area/Northern California region.
• Review and approve electronic Material Reduction and Recovery Plans (MRRP) submitted through the city’s online debris tracking system.
• Support enforcement efforts of the local debris recovery requirements by referring non-compliant activities to the enforcement team.
• Review C&D debris transporter permit applications, generate payment invoices, issue permit decals, and track activity using Salesforce.
• Provide administrative support and technical assistance, including maintaining web information, engaging contractors and debris transporters over the phone and email, and performing other tasks as required.
• Support field engagement and education efforts at active construction sites and recycling facilities to inform compliance oversight and program development.
• Support research and development of new policy and program considerations in support of San Francisco’s zero waste programs to increase source reduction, reuse, recycling and/or composting in the construction sector to help meet zero waste targets of reducing discard material generation 15% by 2030 and disposal 50% by 2030.
• Provide administrative support and perform other tasks as required.
• May require occasional night and/or weekend work.

How to qualify

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; OR

Experience: Two years of college education from an accredited college or university, AND six (6) months of professional work experience, including internships, research positions, or other experience, relevant to the duties described in the job description.

Desirable Qualifications- The desirable qualifications may be used to select among finalists at the end of the selection process. We do not expect any one candidate to have all the qualifications listed.  We highly encourage you to apply if you are interested in joining us.

• Experience gaining compliance with legislation – particularly with Zero Waste focused policies, and/or building code requirements (e.g., debris management)
• Demonstrated strong communication skills over the phone, email and in person
• Fluency in Cantonese, Spanish or other languages commonly spoken in San Francisco besides English.
• An understanding of equity, inclusion, and diversity concepts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Requires an indicated interest and aptitude in those skills associated with zero waste, construction and demolition, conservation, green building, environmental policy, or a related field and a willingness and ability to acquire the needed skills through training and work experience.

How to Apply
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.

• Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen