Salary: $26.25 Hourly

Location : Portland, OR

Job Type: Variable Hour

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: 2024-2040-WPES

Department: Waste Prevention and Environmental Services

Opening Date: 10/11/2024

Closing Date: 10/25/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Summary

Hello, we're Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Are you interested in joining a supportive team that helps people learn to reduce waste and recycle? Are you excited about providing great customer service? Do you have a passion for waste reduction and recycling, a commitment to equitable service delivery, and a willingness to inform and educate? If so, you might be a great candidate to join Metro's Recycling Information Center as a Variable Hour Recycling Information Specialist.

The Recycling Information Center (RIC) provides information and assistance focused on garbage, recycling and reuse services for residents and businesses. As a Recycling Information Specialist, you will work closely with other team members who are passionate about assisting the public. The RIC handles more than 40,000 information referral phone calls each year. Much of your time will be spent speaking on the phone with callers from across the greater Portland region as you connect them with businesses and organizations that provide recycling and reuse services. You will also educate the public on ways to prevent waste and properly dispose of materials. In addition, you will provide customer service for Metro's recycled latex paint sales, MetroPaint, and for the Metro Central and Metro South transfer stations and hazardous waste facilities. Opportunities may also be available to assist with additional outreach activities.

Your work will be performed using an intelligent desktop call routing system, custom database, and MS Office suite software. Knowledge of and experience in recycling and waste reduction education is preferred. Supervision is provided by the Waste Prevention Outreach manager.

Your work will support Metro's as well as the Both are focused on advancing racial equity, reducing environmental and health impacts of products, and maintaining and improving our garbage and recycling system.

As the Variable Hour Recycling Information Specialist you will

Answer inquiries from the public, businesses, and other government agencies via telephone and email.
Make garbage and recycling business referrals to Metro programs, private sector companies and non-profit organizations.
Educate residents about recycling, reuse, waste prevention and safe waste disposal options.
Use a custom business referral database and enter information into database files.
Provide administrative support for the call center.
Participate in ongoing learning opportunities to stay up to date on local recycling and waste-reduction policies and practices.
Assist with public outreach activities as needed.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Attributes for success

Application of good telephone etiquette using interpersonal principles and techniques.
Knowledge of and skill using business English, composition, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Maintaining a professional demeanor under sometimes difficult circumstances and during conversations with callers who may be emotional or upset.
Ability to use problem solving skills and decision-making in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to operate computer programs and database systems for information referral and reporting.
Ability to work effectively as a team member in a respectful and collaborative manner.
Flexibility and adaptation to changing conditions, policies, and practices within the organization or from private sector partners.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro's goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

One year of administrative and/or clerical experience AND
A high school diploma or GED, OR
Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities

Schedule
This position is a great opportunity for people who seek a flexible work schedule. This position will be scheduled as needed, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. to cover vacations, leaves, meetings and/or high call volume periods. You may also be asked to fill in on short notice for illness coverage. There will also be optional opportunities to work in-person events on weekends and in the evenings. This position is classified as variable hour. Variable hour employees cannot work more than 1,040 hours per year.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply
If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

Customer service experience
Experience involving extensive public contact over the phone
Experience with and/or knowledge of garbage, recycling, and waste reduction
The ability to speak a second language

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

A completed online application
Responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

Initial review of minimum qualifications
In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
Consideration of top candidates/interviews
Testing/assessments
Reference check
Driving records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON
The starting rate for this position is $26.25 per hour.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580. It is classified as Program Assistant I. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.

Questions?
Recruiter: Carrie Gundermann
Email:
Additional Information

Equal employment opportunity
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation
Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference
Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework
Positions designated as "hybrid telework," meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pay equity at Metro
No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do.Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications
Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply
For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro's page.

Government Jobs
For assistance with your account or to reset your password please visit GovernmentJobs page.

Metro
Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area's garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.

As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.

This is a variable hour position with no guarantee of hours. The position is eligible for these benefits:

Paid sick leave
Paid parental leave
Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement if eligible and qualified.
No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
Employee Assistance Program

Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.

Some variable hour positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.

01

Describe your work experience providing customer service or public information in a fast-paced environment. Please be sure to highlight your experience providing customer service and information on the phone or how you could apply other experience to a call center environment. Be specific regarding your duties; the services provided by the agency, firm, or organization for which you worked; and the type and volume of your public contact.

02

The ability to speak a second language is not a requirement of this position, but is a preferred qualification. Do you speak any languages in addition to English?If so, what additional languages do you speak, and what is your level of proficiency?

03

You may have developed knowledge, skills and abilities relating to this position through avenues outside of professional or traditional work experience (e.g., military, volunteering, community service, workshops, conferences, lived experience, etc.). If so, describe how this experience enhances your qualifications for this position. Please provide details such as the organizations where you gained the experience, months and years of service, and work performed. If you choose not to answer this question or do not have applicable experience gained through other avenues, please answer this question with "N/A."

04

Due to the on-call and flexible nature of this position, schedule availability is important. The business hours for the RIC are Monday - Friday (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Please describe your availability during those hours, as well as the level of flexibility you have in your current weekly schedule. Please also mention any blocks of time that you are certain you are unavailable to work.

Required Question

Profile of Green Employers

New Jobs

Recycling Information Specialist - Variable Hour