Recycling Specialist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established July 21, 1987

Scope

This series specification describes a six level Recycling Specialist series which perform and direct the Beverage Container Recycling Program at the Department of Conservation, Division of Recycling.

Definition of Series

The Recycling Specialist series describes a broad range of staff and management work concerned with the Beverage Container Recycling Program. Principal work assignments include certification of recycling centers, processors and nonprofit dropoff programs. Incumbents in these classes establish financial incentives and convenient return systems for the efficient and large-scale recycling of beverage containers in California; ensure establishment of off-store-site recycling centers; establish and administer the California Beverage Container Recycling Fund; develop and administer the Convenience Incentive Payments (CIP) regulations including financial audits and marketing the CIP to recyclers; determine redemption rates and recycling rates; establish processing fees for empty beverage containers; determine handling costs of containers; prepare annual updates of processing fees and fee analysis; conduct field surveys of statewide impact of recycling efforts; provide technical assessments of issues relating to recycling technologies; analyze and recommend the use of recycled materials in existing beverage containers manufacturing facilities and the possible use of these materials for other products; provide recommendations regarding the cost factor of waste disposal versus recycling technology that should be used in the processing fees; present and defend recommended processing fees in regulatory proceedings; develop and implement certification regulations, and recycling center site inspections; and identify and designate statewide convenience zones and institute a process to continuously update this network.

Incumbents may work with other local, State and Federal Governments regarding the recycling program, as well as interact with the recycling industry and consumer groups.

Entry into the series is typically at the Recycling Specialist I level.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety and complexity of work; nature of public and interagency contact, independence of action, consequence of error; degree of originality and initiative required; degree of technical knowledge and specialized abilities required; degree to which decisions are sought and accepted by top management; extent of impact on statewide programs; degree of supervision exercised or received and degree of management responsibility.

Definition of Levels

Recycling Specialist I

This is the entry, training and first working level of the series. Under close supervision, as a trainee, incumbents learn the less responsible, professional work associated with the beverage container recycling program. Work products are closely reviewed by the supervisor. At the first working level, under general supervision, incumbents assist in responsible, professional work of average difficulty where policies and procedures are already established. Positions may be permanently allocated at this level when the major functions do not include the complete range of the more responsible, varied and difficult assignments. Examples include assisting in the development and establishment of less complex procedures and guidelines of the beverage container recycling program, such as: processing fees, certification process, financial incentives, recycling centers, financial audits, marketing and research, redemption rates, recycling rates, handling costs, annual reports, environmental field surveys, recycling technologies, regulatory proceedings, certification regulations and recycling center site inspections.

Recycling Specialist II

This is the full journey level of the series. Under direction, incumbents independently perform the full range of the more responsible, varied and complex work associated with evaluation, management and regulation of the beverage container recycling program. Incumbents perform analysis, prepare procedures in relation to: processing fees, certification process, financial incentives, recycling centers, financial audits, marketing and research, redemption rates, recycling rates, handling costs, annual reports, environmental field surveys, recycling technologies, regulations and recycling center site inspections. Incumbents may be assigned responsibility for development of the more difficult regulations, policies, and procedures. This level may also be assigned lead responsibility over other technical staff.

Recycling Specialist III (Technical)

This is the staff specialist level responsible for independently conducting complex and difficult evaluation, management and regulation of the beverage container recycling program. Incumbents will be responsible for work relating to undefined issues or problems involving possible conflicts between the consumer and special interest groups. At this level incumbents perform a wide variety of highly technical assignments, such as field monitoring studies regarding the costs incurred in handling and processing of beverage containers and determination of a reasonable rate of return for recyclers. Positions may also be assigned responsibility for program, policy, and regulation development in the recycling program requiring expertise above the full journey level. Incumbents may act as lead persons on assigned projects, studies or task forces.

Recycling Specialist III (Supervisory)

This is the first full supervisory level in the series. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, directing and evaluating professional and technical staff in a section within a Branch of the division.

Recycling Program Manager I

This is the second supervisory level in the series. Incumbents direct Branch activities and have full responsibility over professional and technical staff in two or more sections through subordinate supervisors.

Recycling Program Manager II

This is the first managerial level. The incumbent will have a broad range of responsibility dealing with high level technical and administrative support to the Division Chief. The incumbent will provide technical assistance in the daily operations of the division and will act in the Division Chief's absence. The incumbent also assists in the development, implementation and direction of specific programs within the division, coordinates activities of the division with other divisions and branches of the Department; assists in the determination of division policies and procedures; allocates budgetary and personnel resources, and consults with the Division Chief, Department Director and the Advisory Committee regarding program and policy development and evaluation.

Minimum Qualifications

Recycling Specialist I

Either I

Education: Equivalent to graduation from a recognized college with any major but preferably with specialization in physical or natural sciences; environmental studies including ecology; resource management or conservation; economics; or a related field. (Additional qualifying experience in recycling and/or waste management, regulation, analysis, research; or resource recovery may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) (Registration as a senior in recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Experience: Six months of experience in California state service performing recycling and/or waste management duties in a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Management Services Technician, Range B. and

Education: 12 semester units of colleges in the areas specified.

Recycling Specialist II

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing recycling and/or waste management duties in class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Recycling Specialist I, Range B.

Or II

Experience: Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in recycling and/or waste management, regulation, analysis or research; or resource recovery. One year of the required experience must have been performed at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Recycling Specialist I, Range B, in California state service and must have included responsibility for a major segment of a broad and complex recycling, waste management or environmental program. (Promotional candidates who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement for this class will be admitted to the examination, but they must fully meet the experience requirement before being eligible for appointment.) and

Education: Education indicated in entry level. (A graduate degree in one of the areas specified above may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Individuals with two different recognized graduate degrees, each of which constitutes a full degree program in the same areas, may substitute this achievement for two years of experience. Candidates who are in their final semester or quarter in either degree program may be admitted to the examination if otherwise qualified, but they must receive the degree before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Recycling Specialist III (Technical)

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing recycling and/or waste management duties in a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Recycling Specialist II.

Or II

Experience: Four years of progressively responsible professional experience in recycling and/or waste management, regulation, analysis or research; or resource recovery. One year of this work must have been at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Recycling Specialist II in California state service. and

Education: Education indicated in entry level. (A graduate degree in one of the areas specified above may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Individuals with two different recognized graduate degrees, each of which constitutes a full degree program in the same areas, may substitute this achievement for two years of experience. Candidates who are in their final semester or quarter in either degree program may be admitted to the examination if otherwise qualified, but they must receive the degree before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Recycling Specialist III (Supervisory)

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing recycling and/or waste management duties in a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Recycling Specialist II.

Or II

Experience: Four years of progressively responsible professional experience in recycling and/or waste management, regulation, analysis or research; or resource recovery. One year of this work must have been at a level equivalent to that of a Recycling Specialist II in California state service. and

Education: Education indicated in entry level. (A graduate degree in one of the areas specified above may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Individuals with two different recognized graduate degrees, each of which constitutes a full degree program in the same areas, may substitute this achievement for two years of experience. Candidates who are in their final semester or quarter in either degree may be admitted to the examination if otherwise qualified, but they must receive the degree before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Recycling Program Manager I

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing recycling and/or waste management duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Recycling Specialist III.

Or II

Two years of experience in the California state service performing recycling and/or waste management duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Recycling Specialist II.

Or III

Experience: Five years of broad and extensive experience in progressively responsible professional positions in recycling and/or waste management, regulation, analysis or research; or resource recovery. One year of this work must have been at a level equivalent to that of a Recycling Specialist III in California state service. One year of this experience must have been in an administrative, supervisory or management position responsible for the following: substantial participation in the development or implementation of recycling and/or waste management research, monitoring or surveillance and enforcement policies or programs; or directing the work of a multidisciplined environmental or recycling and/or litter abatement investigatory staff. and

Education: Education indicated in entry level. (A graduate degree in one of the areas specified above may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Individuals with two different recognized graduate degrees, each of which constitutes a full degree program in the same areas, may substitute this achievement for two years of experience. Candidates who are in their final semester or quarter of either degree program may be admitted to the examination if otherwise qualified, but they must receive the degree before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Recycling Program Manager II

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing recycling and/or waste management duties in a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Recycling Program Manager I.

Or II

Two years of experience in California state service performing recycling and/or waste management duties in a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Recycling Specialist III.

Or III

Experience: More than five years of broad, extensive and progressively responsible experience in recycling and/or waste management, regulation, analysis or research; or resource recovery. One year of this work must have been at a level equivalent to that of a Recycling Program Manager I in California state service. Two years of this experience must have been in an administrative, supervisory or management position responsible for the following: substantial participation in the development or implementation of recycling and/or waste management, regulation, analysis, research policies and programs; or directing the work of a multidisciplined environmental or recycling and/or litter abatement investigatory staff. and

Education: Education indicated in entry level. (A graduate degree in one of the areas specified above may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Individuals with two different recognized graduate degrees, each of which constitutes a full degree program in the same areas, may substitute this achievement for two years of experience. Candidates who are in their final semester or quarter of either degree program may be admitted to the examination if otherwise qualified but they must receive the degree before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Recycling Specialist I

Knowledge of: Basic principles of technical research, knowledge of biological, physical and environmental science, physical characteristics of recycling beverage container materials, current practices of recycling and waste management technologies.

Ability to: Collect recycling data, analyze and evaluate data and reach sound conclusions; analyze situations and take appropriate actions; establish and maintain cooperative relations with local governments and all persons contacted in the work; prepare clear, complete and technically accurate reports; speak and write effectively.

Recycling Specialist II

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles and procedures of recycling waste management, including research and literature on impact of the recycling program in California; Federal, State and local regulations, legislative and regulatory process, programs and responsibilities related to recycling materials; concepts of a variety of disciplines including economics, resource management as related to recycling waste management.

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, organize and carry out recycling waste management studies or projects; coordinate the work of others; make oral presentations; evaluate technical data and develop and prepare recommendations based on findings; be objective and flexible; meet critical deadlines; work with a variety of disciplines inside and outside State Government; read and understand technical reports relating to emerging recycling technologies; assess the impact of proposed legislation and new statutes; organize materials for public presentations and dissemination; anticipate and respond to public concern with tact and sensitivity.

Recycling Specialist III (Technical)

Knowledge of: All of the above, and major recycling trends in California; researching undefined issues relating to recycling waste management.

Ability to: Prepare project plans; design complex studies, procedures, guidelines and research projects; exercise initiative in anticipating complex and controversial issues; recommend development of programs to address such issues; work quickly in an unsupervised atmosphere to provide research and/or evaluations on short-term and highly controversial and complex projects; act as lead on projects, studies or task forces.

Recycling Specialist III (Supervisory)

Knowledge of: All of the above and principles of program management and personnel administration; the Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a supervisor's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives; methods and techniques of effective leadership; and California's legislative budget and general administrative processes.

Ability to: All of the above and interpret, apply and develop policy proposals and procedures; plan, organize and direct the work of others; provide leadership in accomplishing basic functions and objectives; participate in assigned programs; work effectively with groups and agencies to gain cooperation in the recycling program; evaluate technical data and direct the preparation of comprehensive studies, projects and reports; and effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Recycling Program Manager I

Knowledge of: All of the above, and methods of planning, organizing, directing and controlling major programs.

Ability to: All of the above, and implement administrative and program policies and evaluate program changes and accomplishments; establish and maintain effective multidisciplinary relationships in the solution of problems and the achievement of departmental equal employment and affirmative action policies.

Recycling Program Manager II

Knowledge of: All of the above and an understanding of a manager's role in a broad range of technical and administrative support functions.

Ability to: All of the above and an overall understanding of how to deal with sensitive issues involving all facets of the recycling program.

Class History

Alternate Range Criteria

Recycling Specialist I

This criteria will be used to allocate incumbents to Alternate Range A or B.

Range A. This range shall apply to incumbents who do not meet the criteria for payment in Range B.

Range B. This range shall apply to persons who have satisfactorily completed (1) one year in the California state service performing the duties of a Recycling Specialist I, Range A; or (2) two years of professional experience in recycling and/or waste management, regulation, analysis, research; or resource recovery. (Professional experience is defined as experience equivalent to Recycling Specialist I, Range A gained after meeting the "Minimum Qualifications" for entry into the Recycling Specialist class.) (A graduate degree in physical or natural science; environmental studies including ecology; resource management or conservation; economics; or a related field may be substituted for the required experience.)

When the requirements for movement to Range B are met and upon recommendation of the appointing power, the employee shall receive the rate in Range�B, under provisions of Department of Personnel Administration Rule 599.676.