Zero Waste Recycling Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ZERO WASTE REP (Field Sales & Education)

JOB DESCRIPTION 2026

Zero Waste Reps will be full-time employees working with commercial and multi-family accounts for Universal Waste Systems in the North East Zone of the City of LA, as well as in other Southern California cities. Their job will be to “sell” services enroll and educate customers in mandatory recycling and SB 1383 mandatory organics collection and food rescue programs for all businesses and multi-family facilities, and help our company maximize the amount of recycling/diversion from landfill. They will spend the majority of time in the field visiting accounts, as well as time in the office compiling data, scheduling appointments, and in team meetings. They will also participate in weekly waste characterization activities (sorting of trash, recyclables, and organics into distinct material categories) at our Material Recovery Facility in Santa Fe Springs. They will be required participate in and provide education at local Farmers Markets and other community events in person (including some evening and weekend events).

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represent Universal Waste Systems as the service provider for the recycling & organics collection programs to hundreds of businesses and multi-family customers in the city of Los Angeles, South Gate, Los Alamitos, Maywood, and several other cities
• Educate, monitor and assist customers with program elements (waste prevention, recycling, organics)
• Conduct regular and ongoing business and multi-family site visits, measure enclosures, perform waste assessments and “right-sizing” (fine tuning container types, sizes, frequency, site access)
• Participate in regular waste characterization studies (sorting and documenting waste, recycling & organics)
• Provide logistical account support including, but not limited to: setting up Service Agreements, overseeing accounts, identifying problem areas, and providing employee training opportunities
• Document, photograph and maintain accurate account records and reports
• Advise and support customers in setting up their internal recycling programs
• Educate customers on waste prevention techniques, material reuse, and edible food rescue
• Participate in public education and outreach activities (e.g. farmer’s markets, community events)
• Conduct route review & contamination checks as required by jurisdictions
• Educate customers on state regulations (i.e. AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383 etc.) and help local jurisdictions enforce the requirements
• Utilize customized outreach software (filemaker) to maintain and update customers’ account and diversion data, and document all communications
• Provide field observation notes for company reports, presentations, and social media outreach
• Troubleshoot logistical and operational challenges
• Handle client communications, conflict resolution, and program compliance
• Provide support to other UWS departments, including Customer Service and Operations

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid CA driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle required
• One or more years of high-volume Customer Service or Waste Industry experience required, or

Five (5) years general customer facing work experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent required, college degree preferred
• Customer Enrollment or Sales experience preferred
• Previous experience managing client relationships preferred
• Bilingual preferred (i.e. Spanish, Mandarin, Thai, Armenian)
• Ability to perform physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodations
• Physical ability to walk, stand, and work in the field for a majority of the time
• Ability to move carts, open bin lids, and lift up to 50 lbs. if needed
• Ability to perform manual sorting of waste and recycling materials with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Sensitivity in interacting with individuals from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds
• Zero Waste experience or training a plus

GENERAL SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Proficiency and experience with tablet & smartphone technology and mobile software (especially MS Outlook, Calendar and Excel)
• Positive attitude
• Persistence and determination
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Superb customer service, social skills, and confident communication, on the phone and in person
• Enthusiasm and ability to promote the City’s and Company’s waste disposal, recycling, and zero waste education to diverse businesses and multi-family housing customers
• Critical thinking and ability to assess customer needs and concerns
• Creative approach to prevent waste, increase reuse, and improve recycling and organics collection
• Experience and knowledge of mobile technology, MS Office programs (spreadsheets), and professional email etiquette
• Quick to learn, willingness to tackle technical challenges
• Creative trouble-shooting, and ability to address difficult customers
• Good team player, collaborative and supportive of others on the team
• Passion and personal commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability
• Effectively engage with diverse audiences, establish trust, credibility and confidence
• Listen to and build customer relationships, increase customer satisfaction and ensure commitments are met, both to customer and to program
• Sense of humor
• Ability to maintain professionalism and positive attitude in new and tough situations

OFFICE LOCATION:

1722 N. Main Street Unit A, Los Angeles, CA 90012

General Hours 8 am – 4:30 pm (plus some evening & weekend hours intermittently)

Position is Non-Exempt: hourly salary plus full benefits (Vacation, Sick, Kaiser Health Insurance, 401k), NO COMMISSIONS.

Job Type: Full-time Pay: $21.00 per hour, increasing to $22 after satisfactory 90 days. 

This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, effort, or work conditions associated with the job.