Hazardous Waste Manager
A Hazardous Waste Manager is a professional responsible for the safe collection, disposal, and management of toxic and hazardous materials, including chemicals and nuclear waste. They typically work for government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or private waste management companies, focusing on creating and implementing policies for the safe handling and disposal of waste generated by industries like energy, healthcare, and manufacturing. The role is critical in protecting public health and the environment, as managers oversee cleanups at spill sites and help establish protocols to prevent accidents.
Most hazardous waste managers hold a degree in fields such as chemistry, geology, or engineering, and they often require specialized training and certification. The job can be physically demanding and involves risks associated with exposure to hazardous materials. Typically, these professionals work a standard 40-hour week but may be called in for emergencies. The median annual wage for hazardous waste managers is approximately $47,280, and there is a steady demand for their expertise in both government and private sectors. Overall, this occupation plays a vital role in ensuring the safe management of dangerous materials, thus safeguarding the community and the environment.
Hazardous Waste Manager
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, Government & Public Administration, Manufacturing, Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Interests: Engineering, geology, chemistry, nuclear physics, environment, working with dangerous materials
Earnings (Yearly Median): $47,280 per year $22.73 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 1% (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education High school diploma or equivalent; associate's or bachelor's degree; training, licensing, certification
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training Moderate-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Hazardous waste managers work in the collection and disposal of toxic chemicals, nuclear waste, and similar substances. They work for government agencies and private waste management companies. Hazardous waste managers design, organize, and implement policies and strategies for the safe disposal and storage of chemical and nuclear waste from energy facilities, manufacturing plants, hospitals, and scientific institutions, among others. They are also called to spill sites to oversee quick and complete toxic waste cleanups when accidents occur. Most hazardous waste managers have training in specific areas, such as engineering, geology, chemistry, or nuclear physics.
Work Environment. Many hazardous waste managers work in government agency labs or offices, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy, or the Department of Defense. Others are employed by waste management companies as consultants or by manufacturing corporations that need full-time waste management teams. All of these work environments are bound by strict protocols and policies designed to protect hazardous waste managers and their teams, as well as the general public. However, there remains a consistent danger of exposure to nuclear or chemical waste during the course of the job, particularly when working at a landfill or spill site, as well as danger of physical injury in the field. Most hazardous waste managers work a standard forty-hour week, although they are likely to be called upon to put in extra hours when spills occur.
Occupation Interest. Hazardous waste managers work to protect the general public from exposure to toxic waste substances. They also play an integral role in protecting the environment by ensuring the proper storage and disposal of these substances. In addition to routine cleaning, storage, and disposal of dangerous materials, hazardous waste managers often help companies and agencies establish protocols that can prevent accidents. Hazardous waste managers remain in high demand by the government and private corporations, which means that the field is a vibrant one. Although the work is challenging, compensation for hazardous waste managers is highly competitive, particularly in the private sector.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The daily duties and responsibilities of hazardous waste managers vary based on the field in which they specialize. For example, waste management engineers frequently design storage facilities and systems, while chemists may focus more on the effects of leaks on local drinking supplies and soil deposits.
Hazardous waste managers generally focus on two types of hazardous waste materials. The first type is excess chemical material, which may include compounds used in experiments and manufacturing by-products. Hazardous waste managers who specialize in this type of waste are responsible for formulating protocols for its proper on-site disposal, training waste technicians in proper storage practices, and scheduling transfers of the material to landfills and other facilities for safe disposal. When spills occur, waste managers quickly initiate cleanup protocols, organizing teams and equipment and coordinating with the proper personnel and agencies to maintain public safety.
The second type of waste, nuclear fuel left over from power plants, medical facilities, or military activities, requires a similar approach. However, nuclear waste must be stored in specially designed storage facilities, which may be located great distances away from the site that produced them. Managers must coordinate the collection, transfer, and storage of these containers.
Hazardous waste managers must keep detailed logs and documentation of all relevant activities and oversee teams of waste technicians and other personnel. They also commonly provide consultation to company executives, government officials, and other parties on the dangers of the waste materials they create and the need for emergency protocols and proper storage and disposal practices.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Hazardous waste managers work in labs and offices as well as on-site at manufacturing plants, medical and scientific centers, government agencies, and energy facilities. Each of these locations has strict rules and protocols for handling waste materials, although physical risks are involved despite careful practices.
Human Environment. Hazardous waste managers interact with a wide range of individuals, including waste technicians, business executives, engineers, scientists, government officials, public safety and law enforcement officers, truck drivers, and members of the general public.
Technological Environment. Hazardous waste managers work with a variety of equipment and technology, including respirators, gas masks and face shields, protective outerwear, Geiger counters, nuclear reactors and related equipment, ventilation systems, soil and water sampling equipment, and personal computers. They must also use a number of different computer programs, including scientific software, computer-aided design (CAD) software, databases, global positioning systems, and basic office suites.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students should study sciences such as chemistry, geology, biology, and environmental science. They should also hone their communication skills through English and similar classes. Mathematics courses help prepare individuals for the technical aspects of the job.
Postsecondary. Hazardous waste managers should have at least an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as chemistry, geology, ecology, or physics. A master’s degree or doctorate will enhance a job candidate’s qualifications in a competitive marketplace. Hazardous waste managers may need to obtain federal and state-mandated training and certification, such as Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training, depending on the material with which they are working.
Related Occupations
− Chemist
− Environmental Science Technician
− Inspector and Compliance Officer
− Nuclear Quality Control Inspector
− Water and Wastewater Engineer
Bibliography
"Hazardous Materials Removal Workers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/hazardous-materials-removal-workers.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 47-4041 Hazardous Materials Removal Workers." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes474041.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.