Weekend Metro Waste Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $33.74 Hourly
Location : Metro Central Transfer Station, OR
Job Type: Variable Hour
Job Number: 2026-2331-WPES-3
Department: Waste Prevention and Environmental Services
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Summary
This recruitment is open continuous and those interested are encouraged to apply without delay. The first review date will be July 29th, 2026. Screening will be ongoing as applications are received.
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 an environmental superhero who's passionate about protecting the region's air, water and land? Looking for seasonal work on Saturdays at a great wage? Consider joining Metro's Hazardous Waste team to help people in our region safely dispose of cleaners, chemicals, and other toxic materials!
Metro's Hazardous Waste team is looking for up to 14 new teammates to help with 10 hazardous waste collection events this fall in locations throughout the region. Collection events are usually held on Saturdays, with one event scheduled for both Friday and Saturday. The team starts at 7:00 a.m. and finishes around 3:30 p.m. with paid morning and afternoon breaks and an unpaid half-hour lunch. During these events, residents drop off things like old gasoline, batteries, light bulbs, pesticides, oil-based paint, cleaners and solvents, and more for safe disposal.
Working in a team, people selected for this job will work outside or under a tent to greet customers, ask what they're dropping off, provide them with information, direct vehicle traffic, and/or move, sort and pack customers' hazardous materials to be processed later at our hazardous waste facilities. Paid training and protective gear is provided.
As the Variable Hour Hazardous Waste Technician, you will

• Prioritize safety at all times.
• Correctly use personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators, and keep PPE clean. and in good working condition (Metro provides employees with all necessary PPE).
• Set up traffic routes according to the site plan and direct customers' vehicles.
• Greet customers at their vehicles and determine what kind of materials they are dropping off.
• Record information on the types of waste people bring to the event.
• Provide information and answer customers' hazardous waste questions.
• Unload, inspect, and sort incoming hazardous waste and prepare it for transport.
• Sort waste by chemical composition into hazard types.
• Package waste according to all state and federal regulations.
• Safely use hand and power tools and equipment like drum dollies and pallet jacks.
• Help clean up hazardous waste spills.
• Respond to emergencies and chemical releases, depending on training and experience.
• Prepare inventory counts, reports, and labpack documents.

Attributes for success

• Prioritizes working safely and following safety policies, practices and procedures.
• Able to communicate clearly and work respectfully with a diverse group of customers and co-workers.
• Likes variety and helping people.
• Prefers work that exercises the mind and body.
• Interested in learning to process hazardous materials.
• Works accurately, pays attention to detail, and is able to remember complex information or processes.
• Committed to Metro's core values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability.

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 specialized training or experience in a field related to hazardous waste management; AND
• A high school diploma or G.E.D. OR
• We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Required:

• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Schedule:

• These positions will end on November 8th, 2026.
• These positions require the ability to work weekends.
• Variable hour employees are hired and scheduled to work as needed by Metro. Employees in these roles may work up to 1040 hours per year and schedules vary based on business needs. Variable hour employees are not eligible for vacation or paid holidays but do accrue sick leave at a rate of 0.05 per hour paid, up to 104 hours per year.

Working Conditions
Technicians work outdoors or under cover in all types of weather, serving customers and unloading materials from all kinds of cars and trucks. Conditions at collection events can be loud and may smell of vehicle exhaust and chemicals. This is a very physical position, and technicians often must work while wearing protective equipment or clothing such as safety shoes, safety glasses, Tyvek suits, nitrile gloves, and respirators that can limit normal movements. Metro provides variable hour Hazardous Waste Technicians with work uniforms and all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for the job.
The job may require frequent or continuous standing, stooping, bending, twisting, walking, talking, sitting, feeling, grasping, handling and good general hearing. Activities also require occasional reaching, feeling, repetitive motions of the hands/wrists, kneeling, climbing, and the ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds, and push and/or pull up to 1,000 pounds using material handling equipment.
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.

• Experience with handling chemicals, chemical analysis, lab work, or working with radiation.
• Associate's degree and/or college-level coursework in chemistry, environmental science, or other natural science.
• First aid and/or emergency response training.
• Experience with pallet jacks, forklifts, drum dollies, or other moving equipment.
• Experience working in a regulated industry such as trucking, healthcare, remediation, pesticide application, or manufacturing in a compliance role.
• Language skills in addition to English, such as Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian or other languages commonly spoken in the region.

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
• Background and driving records check for finalist candidate/s.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON
The rate of pay for this position is $33.74 per hour.
This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by union AFSCME 3580. It is classified as a Hazardous Waste Technician position. 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.
Non-discrimination in hiring decisions
Metro is committed to equal employment opportunity and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions - including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation - must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.
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.
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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
How many years of customer service experience do you have?

• Two or more years
• One to two years
• Less than one year
• No Experience

02
Have you completed any college-level coursework in chemistry, environmental science, or other natural science subjects

• Yes
• No

03
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question please list the college-level science topics you studied.
0