Job Details

Materials Handler - Waste Management

This position is responsible for the collection and preparation of Hazardous Waste, Regulated Medical Waste (RMW), Universal Waste, recycling, and solid waste for proper disposal in accordance with regulatory and legislative environmental requirements.

This is an open-continuous announcement. It establishes a standing register of eligible applicants which closes on May 26, 2026 or until all positions have been filled. Positions will be filled as they become available. There will be multiple cut-off dates used to consider applications for referral to the selecting official. The first cut-off date to consider applications for referral to the selecting official will be March 12, 2026, the remaining cut-off dates will be at 2-week intervals.

Major duties and responsibilities include:

• Works independently and acts as the Waste Management Material Handler collecting, processing, packaging, and preparing solid waste/hazardous waste/RMW waste for temporary storage and disposal.
• Provides guidance on the proper standard operating procedures for the management, handling, storage, and disposal of regulated hazardous wastes and substances under the strict control of the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 1976; and subsequent amendment established by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 40 CFR Part 265 Interim Status Standards For Owners and Operators of Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities.
• He/she must evaluate and make initial identification and assessments of routine hazardous wastes to determine their nature (e.g., flammability, toxicity), and containment characteristics (e.g., repercussions of long-term storage).
• He/she must evaluate every solid waste to determine if it is a solid hazardous waste under RCRA and must determine all applicable waste codes and underlying constituents.
• He/she must determine if it is exempt using regulations, knowledge of Process, and Analysis to make hazardous waste determinations.
• He/she determines if F, K, P, or U-listed waste, and determines if wastes are characteristic (i.e. Ignitability, Corrosiveness, Reactivity, and Toxicity). The incumbent documents all waste collected and weights.
• He/she collects waste as needed through observation, Sanitation Request or phone notification ensuring that all items transported and/or stored have proper waste identification labels. He/she verifies that all waste is properly packaged and containerized; identification labels include the shop of origin number, waste information, dates, categories, and type of waste.
• Corrects incomplete or improper labels and ensure hazardous wastes are properly stored.
• He/she performs specialized and nonstandard processing and disposing procedures.
• He/she may be required to repack, consolidate, and/or blend hazardous wastes into proper containers for containment and shipment.
• He/she manages container/drum usage, labeling, and storage.
• Ensures all RMW and hazardous waste materials shall be disposed of in containers that accept the chemical without degradation effects.
• He/she operates manual and power lifting devices, compactors, cardboard bailers, and motor vehicles to pick up, transport, and temporarily store industrial waste and other types of hazardous waste.
• He/she performs safety and operational checks on inventories of all waste handling equipment such as pumps, mixing tanks, and automatic sampling devices.
• He/she will be required to assist in the containment, treatment, and cleanup operations resulting from hazardous spills.
• He/she operates computer terminals to access databases for processing, storing, and shipping requirements.
• He/she properly maintains manifests, catalogs, and accounts for all hazardous, and non-hazardous waste streams for shipment and disposal.
• Develops and implements appropriate controls for safeguarding program materials and assuring the integrity of material custody.
• Performs weekly inspections of the Waste Storage locations to ensure proper containment and physical separation of incompatible wastes.
• He/she serves as the Recycling Coordinator for location assigned, handling day-to day coordination of the recycling program. The incumbent has three primary functions: Provision of recycling services and operations to all areas of the facility; Reduction in the overall costs related to solid waste disposal through recycling.
• Responsible for adhering to the Medical Center's Waste Management and Recycling Programs and the required compliance reporting. The collection, removal, and control of all recyclables and wastes generated in the health care facility are essential for ensuring a clean, aesthetically pleasing, and odor-free environment.

Work Schedule: Various tours. Details to be discussed during the interview process. Position Description Title/PD#: Materials Handler - Waste Management/PD21598A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation. Pre-employment physical required. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/26/2026. Experience includes: Performing warehouse work to include receiving, storing, selecting, and shipping of general or specialized bulk; loading and unloading materials; preparing shipping and inventory documents; routing materials and equipment to correct locations or storage areas; identifying and labeling hazardous waste.

The incumbent performs work that requires kneeling, bending, stooping, climbing, and standing on hard surfaces for long periods of time. He/she uses hand-trucks and other types of material handling equipment to move, load, and unload large drums and various size containers from trucks and containment areas. Frequently lifts, moves, carries, and load items and equipment that weigh up to 50 pounds. Incumbent is sometimes required to lift and move items weighing in excess of 50 pounds with the help of weight handling equipment and/or with the assistance of other workers.

The incumbent is frequently exposed to a variety of hazards, ranging from noxious gasses, fumes, chemical vapors, skin irritants, biological hazardous, and caustic and poisonous items in the collection, treatment, and/or containment of hazardous wastes. In some work situations, he/she may have limited exposure to low levels of radioactivity. The incumbent works in facilities that are usually well lighted, heated, and ventilated. They also work outside and may be exposed to all kinds of extreme weather conditions while performing their assignments. The work may be dirty and greasy, and exposed to the possibility of cuts, bruises, abrasions, and falls during collection and processing operations. Incumbents must follow specific safety procedures and use the appropriate safety equipment including respirators, face shields, safety glasses, protective clothing, gloves, boots, etc. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or gear may be required and must be worn when conducting mixing or transferring of waste.