Recycling Programs Specialist

 Role Overview

The Recycling Programs Specialist leads key aspects in advancing Circular Action Alliance’s partnership with California jurisdictions as recycling programs are implemented under Senate Bill 54 (SB 54). In this role, the Specialist advises local governments on program participation requirements, documentation expectations, reimbursement-related processes, and ongoing implementation activities in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment. The role is also accountable for driving contract lifecycle activities, data integrity, operational assessments, and documentation required for SB 54 program implementation and reimbursement.

Working under the direction of the Recycling Programs Manager, the Specialist serves as a primary point of contact for an assigned portfolio of jurisdictions and independently manages day-to-day implementation activities. The Specialist exercises sound judgement in interpreting program requirements, identifying risks or gaps, and recommending actions to support timely progress across program workflows.

This position combines program operations, interest holder communication, data coordination, and public-sector consultation. It is well suited to a detail-oriented professional who can manage multiple workstreams, evaluate complex information, and contribute to the successful rollout of evolving recycling program requirements throughout California.

Key Responsibilities 

Jurisdiction Engagement & Support

• Lead engagement with assigned California jurisdictions by conducting outreach to initiate engagement, responding to questions, coordinating meetings, and tracking follow-up actions related to SB 54 participation, reimbursement processes, and program implementation requirements.
• Advise jurisdictions on eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, timelines, and next steps, including support with application preparation, submission, revision, completeness review, and identification of missing or inconsistent information.
• Synthesize jurisdiction meetings, workshops, and consultations into clear summaries, decisions, and action items that support accountability, and timely issue resolution.

Data Collection & Documentation

• Collect, organize, and validate jurisdiction-provided data related to recycling programs, including results of education & outreach and contamination reduction efforts, as well as service provider information, material flow details, program descriptions, operational data, and cost documentation.
• Maintain accurate records, trackers, and supporting documentation to facilitate reimbursement review, internal reporting, audit readiness, and consistent program administration.
• Establish, apply and refine standardized workflows, templates, trackers, and reference materials for jurisdiction engagement, while identifying opportunities to improve consistency, efficiency, and documentation quality.
• Prepare recommendations on jurisdictional feedback, operational constraints, risks, and improvement opportunities for leadership review and decision-making.
• Own performance monitoring for assigned jurisdictions by compiling key metrics, identifying trends and risks, and recommending corrective actions.

Program Tracking & Continuous Improvement

• Prepare summaries of jurisdiction feedback, participation barriers, recurring questions, and implementation risks for manager and leadership review, helping surface issues that may affect program success.
• Identify trends across jurisdictions that may indicate a need for additional guidance, clarification, training, or process improvement, and elevate those observations to support informed decision-making.

• Monitor performance tracking and dashboard updates related to jurisdiction participation, workflow progress, and program implementation milestones.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with internal Materials, Reimbursements, Legal, and Communications, Education & Outreach teams to gather input, clarify open questions, and help route jurisdictional applications and related materials through established review processes.
• Manage jurisdiction-facing documentation workflows by tracking revisions, maintaining organized records, monitoring status, and following up on assigned next steps across teams.
• Ensure information is documented consistently across trackers and systems used for communication, reporting, and project progress management.
• Other job related duties as assigned.

Skills & Competencies 

• Working knowledge of California’s municipal solid waste, recycling, and diversion systems.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple jurisdictions, deadlines, and parallel workstreams effectively.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate program requirements into practical guidance for local government staff and other stakeholders.
• A detail-oriented approach to documentation, data tracking, quality control, and follow-through.
• A collaborative, service-oriented mindset when working with jurisdictions, service providers, and internal cross-functional teams.
• Comfort working in an evolving program environment with changing guidance, timelines, and implementation needs.
• Proficiency with common productivity tools, including spreadsheets, documents, and presentations, as well as the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Experience supporting contract or agreement review workflows, including coordinating redlines, tracking open issues, maintaining version control, and documenting follow-through across internal and external partners.
• Strong relationship-management skills, with the ability to build productive day-to-day working relationships, follow up consistently, and support progress across assigned jurisdictions.
• Comfort working at the intersection of operations and legal or compliance requirements, with close attention to documentation quality, auditability, and deadline management.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, Planning, or a closely related field.
• Five or more years of relevant professional experience in recycling programs, solid waste management, local government, sustainability programs, regulated program administration, or a related area.

• Experience working with or supporting local governments, public agencies, or regulated programs is strongly preferred.
• Ability to travel occasionally within California for meetings, workshops, or site visits.
• Familiarity with SB 54, SB 1383, or other California recycling and waste regulations is a plus.
• Prior experience supporting public-sector agreements, regulated program documentation, jurisdiction coordination, or stakeholder-facing program administration is a plus.

Compensation & Other Information 

Location: Remote (California) 

Reports To: Recycling Programs Manager – California