June 2025: The Alameda County General Services Agency’s Office of Sustainability is seeking a qualified zero-waste professional for a temporary Recycling Coordinator position. This position is expected to begin on August 18, 2025 and is anticipated to last approximately 12 months, with potential for extension. This role offers the opportunity to lead high-impact projects with broad visibility and contribute to advancing public-sector climate leadership, making it an excellent opportunity for professionals seeking to build skills and lead meaningful projects in a large organization – without the need for a long-term commitment.
Application Process
How to Apply and What to Expect
Email your resume (PDF preferred) and/or link to your LinkedIn profile to acsustain@acgov.org. A cover letter is optional but highly recommended to showcase your qualifications and interest. Strong applications include a 1- to 2-page resume plus cover letter.
Do not apply via LinkedIn; applications submitted through the LinkedIn platform will not be received or reviewed.
We will contact selected candidates on a rolling basis to schedule interviews. The interview process may include phone, virtual, or in-person meetings. Candidates may be asked to provide references or complete a skills assessment relevant to the position.
Due to high volume, we cannot respond to all applicants individually. No confirmation of receipt will be provided. This listing will be updated when the position is filled.
If you have questions that can’t wait for an interview, we encourage you to apply and include them in the body of your application email. This ensures you won’t miss the application window if we’re unable to respond.
If This Role Isn’t the Right Fit
Know someone who may be interested? Please share this opportunity using the following link: https://bit.ly/recyclingopp25.
Early in your sustainability career? Learn more about our upcoming fellowship opportunities, which will be posted later this summer at https://www.acgov.org/sustain/who/careers/index.htm.
About the Role
Background on Waste and Recycling at Alameda County
Alameda County manages a diverse building portfolio of more than 150 owned and leased facilities, supporting about 10,000 County employees who serve the public. A crucial operation across these sites is the proper separation of waste through recycling and composting. Daily participation in these practices by staff and visitors supports the County’s broader sustainability commitments.
The General Services Agency (GSA) Office of Sustainability directly manages the waste services for 64 facilities and provides programmatic support to all County locations. A Sustainability Project Manager leads these efforts and will train the Recycling Coordinator to be able to take on increased responsibilities and lead day-to-day operations as needed, with support from senior team members on complex or high-impact issues.
As part of the County’s Climate Action Plan for Government Services and Operations, we are actively expanding reuse initiatives and identifying new opportunities to reduce waste generation and increase diversion from landfill.
What You’d Do
Over the course of the approximately 12-month term (term length subject to operational needs), you will lead and support waste and recycling initiatives, with guidance to prioritize the most urgent and high-impact opportunities to ensure focused, manageable progress.
Waste and Recycling Operations and Site Support
Launch programs at new sites
Lead the rollout of recycling and composting systems at newly occupied or leased County buildings. Conduct waste assessments; develop site-specific plans and trainings; and coordinate with waste haulers, janitorial teams, and building staff.
Improve existing site operations
Identify underperforming locations through data and site visits; conduct waste audits; adjust services and signage as needed; procure improved waste collection systems. Collaborate with internal staff and waste haulers to resolve issues such as missed pick-ups, contamination, or bin placement. (Past team members have noted the tangible outcomes of this work as a particularly rewarding aspect of the role.)
Deliver staff training and outreach
Facilitate targeted education campaigns and workshops to support proper sorting. Maintain outreach materials such as flyers, training presentations, and web content. Launch our new employee recycling training video Countywide to 10,000 employees.
Strategy and Program Development
Develop and monitor waste budget
Create the annual waste and recycling budget, using Excel and established procedures. Review monthly invoices for errors, overage charges, and contamination fees.
Advance special initiatives and pilot programs
Contribute to projects such as improving waste practices in detention facilities, conducting waste characterization studies to inform the County’s greenhouse gas inventory, or testing new diversion strategies. Represent the County’s work by presenting to regional and national peers.
Drive waste reduction and reuse strategies
Contribute to priority actions from the Climate Action Plan’s Sustainable Materials Management action area. Support the expansion of the County’s current reuse program, help develop targeted programs for specific material streams, and design outreach strategies to increase participation. Identify and evaluate innovative tools, technologies, and policy approaches.
Cross-Program Collaboration
Support broader sustainability initiatives
As a core member of the Office of Sustainability, collaborate on adjacent projects in areas such as green building, sustainable purchasing, and climate resilience, depending on team needs and your interest.
Location, Hours, and Pay
Work location
Our office is in downtown Oakland, California, within walking distance of two BART stations and served by an employee shuttle to BART. If you would like to work in the office on a hybrid or regular basis, office space is available.
You will be required to report to the office in person for onboarding activities. These include completing employment paperwork and picking up equipment.
While the Office of Sustainability operates as a primarily remote team, occasional in-person work is essential for this role. In addition to in-person team and employee events or trainings, you will conduct site visits and trainings at facilities across Alameda County, including in Dublin, Hayward, Oakland, and San Leandro. We estimate up to four in-person site visits and trainings per month, with the possibility of additional visits depending on operational needs. You will typically receive at least three to five days’ notice before in-person work is required.
Schedule
This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week with flexiblity.
Occasional early-morning meetings to train janitorial staff may be required. (These would shift the workday earlier rather than extend its length.)
Compensation and Benefits
The position is hourly, with pay anticipated to start at $37.82/hour, depending on formal assessment of qualifications. This is an hourly position. The pay rate is based on a formal assessment of qualifications. While the full range is expected to be $37.82 to $52.27 per hour, candidates meeting the basic qualifications can expect compensation near the lower end of this range.
As a Temporary Assignment Pool (TAP) position, paid vacation or holidays are not included. Medical and dental benefits may become available if eligibility requirements are met after working seven consecutive two-week pay periods. More information about TAP employment can be found here.
Although TAP roles do not include paid vacation or holidays, this position offers schedule flexibility and access to job-related training and development opportunities.
Minimum Qualifications (Required)
Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or engineering, planning, social sciences, public or business administration, or a related field.
At least one year of full-time experience (or equivalent) in sustainability or related areas such as environmentally preferable procurement, resource conservation, waste reduction, recycling, climate change, green building, or other related areas. This experience must include responsibilities for planning and coordinating programs.
Ability and willingness to travel within Alameda County. The necessary sites are not easily accessible by public transportation. County fleet vehicles are available for use for business travel. A valid California Class “C” (regular) Driver’s license is required for using a County vehicle.
Desired Qualifications (What We’re Looking for)
The ideal candidate is a self-directed and detail-oriented sustainability professional with hands-on experience in waste reduction and a strong ability to manage logistics across multiple sites and communicate clearly with diverse teams. Strong candidates may meet many — but not necessarily all— of the following.
Technical Skills and Experience
At least two years of project management experience, including managing multiple projects simultaneously, developing work plans, managing timelines, and coordinating with stakeholders
Practical knowledge of solid waste and recycling program operations, including conducting waste audits
Experience working with waste haulers to resolve operational waste issues effectively
Proficiency in collecting and analyzing quantitative and field-based data to guide decisions and measure program performance
Proficiency with Excel for budgeting and data analysis
Familiarity with California waste regulations (e.g., SB 1383) and regulatory compliance experience
Experience creating outreach materials and delivering engaging presentations or trainings
Soft Skills and Interpersonal Abilities
Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience collaborating across departments and with external partners
Proven problem-solving skills in multi-stakeholder situations, with experience resolving operational or logistical challenges
Flexibility to adapt workplans in response to shifting priorities or new opportunities
Demonstrated initiative in researching emerging best practices and piloting new approaches
Ability to work independently and prioritize effectively in a remote setting and to contribute to a geographically distributed team
About the Organization
A Few Things About Our Team
We are an eight-person team led by a Sustainability Program Manager and composed of experienced Sustainability Project Managers and climate fellows (see their reflections) who bring both deep expertise and fresh ideas.
We developed and facilitated the implementation of Alameda County’s 10-year Climate Action Plan for Government Services and Operations.
We finalized and are currently leading implementation of the current Climate Action Plan for Government Services and Operations Through 2026.
We thrive in a remote work environment and have built strong systems for collaboration, including interactive virtual meetings.
About the Alameda County General Services Agency (GSA)
Alameda County serves a population of over 1.6 million residents and employs more than 10,000 public servants. The General Services Agency (GSA) provides core support services to County agencies, including janitorial and maintenance services, capital projects, fleet management, procurement, and sustainability and energy programs
GSA is nationally recognized for modeling climate leadership, including generating significant on-site solar power and operating one of the greenest vehicle fleets in the country. In addition to supporting the work of community-serving agencies, GSA directly benefits the community by providing opportunities for local businesses and building libraries and youth centers.
About the GSA Office of Sustainability
Alameda County’s Office of Sustainability is a program within the General Services Agency. We find that public service – particularly at the local level – provides an incredibly rewarding way to make a measurable contribution in our communities.
We led the County’s operational sustainability and climate strategy to ensure the County continues to be a climate and sustainability leader. We support County agencies to “green” their operations and facilities and to prepare for the impacts of climate change on our services and communities. We oversee implementation, partner engagement, and reporting for the County's Climate Action Plan for Government Services and Operations. We directly manage recycling and waste services for County facilities. Our approach combines policy development, technical assistance, executive and employee engagement, workforce training, and impact measurement to promote sustainability in County operations and supply chain. We also build external partnerships and showcase successes to amplify impact.
To learn more, see https://acgov.org/sustain or watch this short video about the 2010-2020 Climate Action Plan.