Hennepin County, MN
Waste Reduction Specialist Job at Hennepin County, MN in Minneapolis
Hennepin County, MN, Minneapolis, MN, US, 55400
Salary: $68,888.14 - $103,332.21 Annually
Location : Downtown Minneapolis
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 25EED380MN15
Department: Environment and Energy
Division: Recycling
Opening Date: 09/26/2025
Closing Date: 10/13/2025 11:59 PM Central
Description
Hennepin County's Environment and Energy department is seeking to hire a Waste Reduction Specialist focused on plastic waste. This position will be responsible for identifying, developing, and coordinating new policies, programs, and initiatives to reduce and divert plastic waste, supporting both the county's Zero Waste and Climate Action plans.
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
Find us at upcoming career fairs!
Location and hours:
This position is hybrid and will be performed at various locations within Hennepin County, with the main office located in the Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department at 625 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will typically be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with the possibility of some occasional evening and weekend hours. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
About this position type:
This is a full-time, benefit earning position.
This position is internally classified as an Environmentalist, Senior.
Click to view the job classification specification.
In this position, you will:
The Environment and Energy department protects and preserves the environment to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. We engage communities to develop and enact sustainable solutions. We focus on reducing and responsibly managing waste, protecting and preserving ecosystems, delivering clean energy and promoting environmental stewardship.
About Hennepin County:
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that eliminate disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.
Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at (login as Guest).
Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the elimination of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.
Your future. Made here.
This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
Watch this for application best practices and tips.
Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates may be required to complete a criminal background check.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Marita Nguyen
#LI
Why work here?
Hennepin County embraces the Total Rewards philosophy. We want our employees to succeed - not only at work but as they move through life and its milestones. We offer advantages and opportunities others can't - including:
By working in public service, we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Together, we support those in need. We help people access information and services. We empower vibrant and diverse communities. We serve residents.
Visit our benefits page to learn more: bridge.hennepin.us/eligibility.
If you are a current Hennepin County employee please be aware that any change in job classification may affect your current benefits (such as a conversion from Vacation/Sick Leave to Paid Time Off and/or enrollment in a Health Care Saving Plan.) Information about the impact of job changes on benefits can be found
01
This position is hybrid and will be performed at various locations within Hennepin County, with the main office located in the Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department at 625 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will typically be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with the possibility of some occasional evening and weekend hours. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. 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 position requires a valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation for travel to various sites throughout Hennepin County.
Are you willing and able to meet these requirements?
02
In which of the following field(s) have you earned a degree? Check all that apply.
03
Select the highest degree you have completed in the field(s) you selected above.
04
Describe your relevant education including area(s) of study, school(s) attended, and degree(s) earned. If you do not have relevant education, type "None" in the space provided.
05
How many years of experience do you have planning or operating environmental programs such as recycling, solid waste, or other public works programs involving inter-agency coordination?
06
Describe your experience planning or operating environmental programs such as recycling, solid waste, or other public works programs involving inter-agency coordination, referencing jobs listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
07
How many full-time equivalent years of experience do you have in a lead role developing and implementing new programs and initiatives for a broad public audience?
08
Describe your experience in a lead role developing and implementing new programs and initiatives for a broad public audience, referencing jobs listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
09
How many years of experience do you have in a lead role administering grants or contracts?
10
Describe your experience in a lead role administering grants or contracts, referencing jobs listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience type "None" in the space provided.
11
How many years of experience do you have with materials management, reuse systems, and plastic polymers?
12
Describe your experience with materials management, reuse systems or plastic polymers, referencing any work projects you have led or educational courses you have taken, referencing jobs listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
13
How many years of experience do you have interpreting or implementing Extended Producer Responsibility or similar policies?
14
Describe your experience interpreting or implementing Extended Producer Responsibility or similar policies, referencing jobs listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
15
Please choose the one recruitment source that best describes how you first learned about this job opening. Please review all possible choices before making your selection. Your response to this question helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our recruitment methods.
16
For the recruitment source selected above, please provide the specific name of the person, website, or media source.
Required Question
Location : Downtown Minneapolis
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 25EED380MN15
Department: Environment and Energy
Division: Recycling
Opening Date: 09/26/2025
Closing Date: 10/13/2025 11:59 PM Central
Description
Hennepin County's Environment and Energy department is seeking to hire a Waste Reduction Specialist focused on plastic waste. This position will be responsible for identifying, developing, and coordinating new policies, programs, and initiatives to reduce and divert plastic waste, supporting both the county's Zero Waste and Climate Action plans.
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
Find us at upcoming career fairs!
Location and hours:
This position is hybrid and will be performed at various locations within Hennepin County, with the main office located in the Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department at 625 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will typically be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with the possibility of some occasional evening and weekend hours. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
About this position type:
This is a full-time, benefit earning position.
This position is internally classified as an Environmentalist, Senior.
Click to view the job classification specification.
In this position, you will:
- Research plastic reduction policies and initiatives, provide analysis and recommendations for county consideration, and develop a plan for legislative and policy priorities, as well as new programs and initiatives that reduce the plastics in the waste stream and environment.
- Propose and draft policies that address plastic waste and pollution.
- Develop and coordinate new programming and initiatives that reduce and divert plastic waste and reduce plastic pollution.
- Develop and foster public/private partnerships to advance efforts to reduce and divert plastic and prevent pollution.
- Educate the public on plastic reduction, plastic recycling, and the impacts of plastic pollution.
- Develop, administer, manage, and evaluate requests for proposals, grant solicitations, and contracts.
- Prepare communications on plastic waste and pollution prevention for internal and external audiences.
- Represent the county at public meetings and conferences.
- One of the following:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in business administration, public administration, the sciences, or a field related to the position and two years or more of experience planning or operating environmental programs such as recycling, solid waste, or other public works programs involving inter-agency coordination.
- Associate's degree in a field closely related to the assignment and four years or more of experience planning or operating environmental programs such as recycling, solid waste, or other public works programs involving inter-agency coordination.
- A valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation for travel to various sites throughout Hennepin County.
- Four years or more of full-time experience in a lead role:
- Developing and implementing new environmental programs and initiatives for a broad public audience.
- Administering grants or contracts.
- Developing and coordinating multi-stakeholder projects.
- Experience:
- Writing and editing content for a public audience.
- Researching, data collection and tracking, analysis, and reporting.
- With materials management, reuse systems, and plastic polymers.
- Interpreting or implementing Extended Producer Responsibility or similar policies.
- Ability to:
- Manage multiple active projects.
- Work independently and as a part of a team.
- Interpret federal, state and county policies, laws, rules, and regulations.
The Environment and Energy department protects and preserves the environment to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. We engage communities to develop and enact sustainable solutions. We focus on reducing and responsibly managing waste, protecting and preserving ecosystems, delivering clean energy and promoting environmental stewardship.
About Hennepin County:
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that eliminate disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.
Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at (login as Guest).
Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the elimination of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.
Your future. Made here.
This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
Watch this for application best practices and tips.
Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates may be required to complete a criminal background check.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Marita Nguyen
#LI
Why work here?
Hennepin County embraces the Total Rewards philosophy. We want our employees to succeed - not only at work but as they move through life and its milestones. We offer advantages and opportunities others can't - including:
- Meaningful work
- Public service
- Competitive pay
- Work-life balance
- Generous benefits
- Opportunities to grow
- Commitment to your success
By working in public service, we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Together, we support those in need. We help people access information and services. We empower vibrant and diverse communities. We serve residents.
Visit our benefits page to learn more: bridge.hennepin.us/eligibility.
If you are a current Hennepin County employee please be aware that any change in job classification may affect your current benefits (such as a conversion from Vacation/Sick Leave to Paid Time Off and/or enrollment in a Health Care Saving Plan.) Information about the impact of job changes on benefits can be found
01
This position is hybrid and will be performed at various locations within Hennepin County, with the main office located in the Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department at 625 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will typically be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with the possibility of some occasional evening and weekend hours. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. 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 position requires a valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation for travel to various sites throughout Hennepin County.
Are you willing and able to meet these requirements?
- Yes
- No
02
In which of the following field(s) have you earned a degree? Check all that apply.
- Business administration
- Environmental health
- Environmental policy
- Environmental science
- Physical or natural science
- Public administration
- Another closely related field
- None of the above
03
Select the highest degree you have completed in the field(s) you selected above.
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- Associates degree
- Neither of the above
04
Describe your relevant education including area(s) of study, school(s) attended, and degree(s) earned. If you do not have relevant education, type "None" in the space provided.
05
How many years of experience do you have planning or operating environmental programs such as recycling, solid waste, or other public works programs involving inter-agency coordination?
- I do not have this experience
- Less than 2 years
- 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
- 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
- 4 years or more
06
Describe your experience planning or operating environmental programs such as recycling, solid waste, or other public works programs involving inter-agency coordination, referencing jobs listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
07
How many full-time equivalent years of experience do you have in a lead role developing and implementing new programs and initiatives for a broad public audience?
- I do not have this experience
- Less than 4 years
- 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
- 5 years or more, but less than 6 years
- 6 years or more
08
Describe your experience in a lead role developing and implementing new programs and initiatives for a broad public audience, referencing jobs listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
09
How many years of experience do you have in a lead role administering grants or contracts?
- I do not have this experience
- Less than 4 years
- 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
- 5 years or more, but less than 6 years
- 6 years or more
10
Describe your experience in a lead role administering grants or contracts, referencing jobs listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience type "None" in the space provided.
11
How many years of experience do you have with materials management, reuse systems, and plastic polymers?
- I do not have this experience
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
- 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
- 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
- 4 years or more
12
Describe your experience with materials management, reuse systems or plastic polymers, referencing any work projects you have led or educational courses you have taken, referencing jobs listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
13
How many years of experience do you have interpreting or implementing Extended Producer Responsibility or similar policies?
- I do not have this experience
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
- 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
- 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
- 4 years or more
14
Describe your experience interpreting or implementing Extended Producer Responsibility or similar policies, referencing jobs listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
15
Please choose the one recruitment source that best describes how you first learned about this job opening. Please review all possible choices before making your selection. Your response to this question helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our recruitment methods.
- College or university (job board, career services, or instructor)
- Community or nonprofit organization (counselor, job board, etc.)
- Employee or recruiter of Hennepin County (supervisor/manager, colleague, or Human Resources)
- Friend or family member that is not a Hennepin County employee
- Hennepin County job notification emails
- Indeed.com
- Job fair or networking event
- Print advertisement (flyer, postcard, billboard, transit ad, etc.)
- Professional association (ASCE, APWA, ISACA, etc.)
- Social media (Handshake, Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.)
- hennepin.jobs or governmentjobs.com
16
For the recruitment source selected above, please provide the specific name of the person, website, or media source.
Required Question