Waste management officers are required to manage waste disposal and recycling facilities. They are also responsible for street cleaning and waste treatment operations. Some of these officers work in both recycling and management functions and other just dedicate their efforts to one category. They can work for a district waste collection or a county waste disposal authority.

A waste management officer usually performs many of the following tasks:
• Analysing statistics on waste levels.
• Managing waste collection contracts.
• Advising companies on waste reduction.
• Calculating budgets.
• Monitoring service of local waste collection.

• Having competent general office and IT abilities.
• Being a leader.
• Having effective communication.
• Being able to clearly explain legislation issues.
• Having knowledge and interest for environmental issues.
• Having competent understanding of statistics and budgets.
• Being able to create reports.
• Being patient.
• Having abilities to understand dynamic and complex legislation.
• Having teamwork skills.

It is recommended to have a degree in waste management or similar studies to apply to these job placements. Other options of courses are environmental science, biochemical science, chemical and physical sciences, earth sciences, among others.

Some people move to this sector after working in industries such as construction and quarrying. Other cases show that some professionals specialized from wider environmental areas to waste management.