Waste Technician - M-F: 1st Shift (7 AM - 3:30 PM)

Waste Technician

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 1st Shift (7am - 3:30pm)

Pay Range: $25.00 - $27.00 per hour (based on experience and qualifications)

Since 1923, Hentzen Coatings, Inc. has remained an independent, privately held company dedicated to excellence in the development and manufacture of advanced coatings. Our commitment to innovation, quality, and service has earned us recognition as a trusted partner and technology leader in the aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. With nearly a century of experience, we've mastered the art of custom-engineering coatings to meet the unique and demanding requirements of our customers. This innovation comes to life in our state-of-the-art facilities, where talented teams collaborate to solve complex challenges and deliver cutting-edge solutions.

Position Summary

The Waste Technician supports safe, compliant, and efficient operations by performing hands-on hazardous and non-hazardous waste management activities across multiple facilities. This role ensures proper collection, labeling, storage, and coordination of waste disposal while maintaining compliance with EPA, DOT, OSHA, and related regulations. Through active participation in daily operations and collaboration with employees and vendors, the Waste Technician promotes environmental stewardship, workplace safety, and continuous improvement in support of Hentzen Coatings, Inc.'s operational and sustainability goals.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Streams
  • Identify, segregate, label, stream, and manage hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials, including paint waste, solvents, powders, aerosols, electronic waste, and industrial refuse in accordance with Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA), DOT, OSHA, and company environmental procedures.
  • Wear required PPE while handling waste, consolidating compatible materials, and supporting waste management activities at multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Perform Waste Collection and Facility Housekeeping Activities
  • Collect indoor and outdoor garbage, recyclables, and production waste.
  • Mop floors, vacuum debris, repaint walls, empty cigarette receptacles, blacktop driveways, and remove debris left throughout the facilities and grounds.
• Operate Industrial Equipment and Waste Handling Systems
  • Safely operate forklifts, mixers, elevators, indoor trash compactors, and outdoor compactors to transport, consolidate, and process waste materials.
  • Agitate totes for bulk tanker vacuuming, shovel waste from containers, and maintain operational waste handling equipment.
• Support Waste Consolidation and Vendor Coordination
  • Consolidate liquid and solid waste materials into approved containers to improve disposal efficiency and reduce waste generation costs while maintaining regulatory compliance.
  • Coordinate metal dumpster exchanges and waste shipment preparation with approved environmental vendors.
• Manage PPE, Supplies, and Waste Inventory
  • Restock Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) stations, spill response supplies, waste labels, drums, totes, and housekeeping materials.
  • Maintain inventories of empty totes, drums, electronic waste, hazardous waste containers, and non-hazardous waste containers.
  • Maintain the facility wiper (towel) program by collecting, storing, and organizing contaminated reusable wipers and industrial cleaning supplies.
• Perform Outdoor and Seasonal Environmental Duties
  • Work outdoors year-round in varying weather conditions.
  • Support seasonal responsibilities including outdoor waste collection, drainage clearing, and grounds maintenance to maintain safe and compliant operations.
• Maintain Environmental Training and Regulatory Compliance
  • Achieve and maintain certifications including RCRA Hazardous Waste Management, DOT Hazmat Ground Shipper, International Air Transport Association (IATA) Air Shipper, International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Vessel Shipper, OSHA 10 Hour, Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, and Bloodborne Pathogens.
  • Follow company environmental, health, safety, and operational procedures while supporting inspections, audits, waste documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area; perform equipment cleaning and follow all housekeeping procedures.
• Comply with all safety, quality, and workplace policies and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements

• Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience operating sit-down forklifts (electric, propane, or diesel) in an industrial setting required.
• Experience in chemical manufacturing, waste management, janitorial services, or facility housekeeping preferred.

• Operational and Technical Skills
  • Experience handling industrial waste, performing facility cleaning, and supporting environmental housekeeping activities, including spill response, vacuuming, and pressure washing, is beneficial.
  • Ability to perform physically demanding indoor and outdoor work year-round in varying conditions.
  • Basic math skills and the ability to complete accurate, legible documentation (e.g., waste labels, manifests, inspection logs) are required.
• Work Ethic and Reliability
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining productivity and attention to detail.
  • Strong attendance, dependability, and a consistent work ethic are essential.
• Communication and Teamwork
  • Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees and external vendors.
  • Demonstrated teamwork, cooperation, and flexibility in supporting multiple facilities and operational needs.
• Safety, Compliance, and Continuous Learning
  • Willingness to follow all environmental, health, and safety procedures, including proper use of PPE.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications related to regulatory compliance.
  • Basic computer skills preferred.
• Additional Requirements
  • Ability to travel up to 15% as needed.
  • Demonstrates company core values: Integrity, Loyalty, Passion, Commitment, and Respect.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to communicate verbally and hear; stand and walk for extended periods; and use hands to handle, touch, or operate tools, controls, and equipment. The employee is frequently required to reach, stoop, and maintain balance, and may occasionally be required to climb, use foot controls, or reach above shoulder level. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 65 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The employee will work in indoor and outdoor environments, including climate-controlled and non-climate-controlled spaces, spaces with local exhaust ventilation, warehouses, and production departments. Work may involve exposure to varying temperatures, weather conditions, and moving mechanical equipment with guarding. PPE is task-specific and mandatory. Standard PPE includes protective footwear, safety glasses, and flame-resistant uniforms. Additional equipment, such as respirators and earplugs, is required for certain activities. All work conditions are maintained within OSHA's exposure limits to ensure employee safety.

The noise level in the production environment is typically loud when working near equipment, while office areas maintain a moderate noise level.

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in designated production areas. Required PPE includes safety shoes, safety glasses, and flame-resistant clothing. Additional protective equipment, such as respirators or hearing protection, may be required depending on specific tasks or work areas. This additional personal protective equipment is often required for this position. They should plan to wear a respirator for (at least) 25% of their workday.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package.
• Generous PTO policy
• 401(k) Employer Match: We match employee contributions up to 8% of eligible compensation.
• Profit Sharing: Discretionary annual contribution based on company performance.
• Employee referral bonus program
• Monthly employee food trucks
• ...and much more!

At Hentzen, you'll find more than a job-you'll discover an opportunity to learn, grow, and make an impact. If you're ready to join a company known for its heritage of innovation and dedication to its people, we invite you to explore a rewarding career with us.

Please send your resume to:

Hentzen Coatings, Inc.

Attn: Human Resources

6937 W. Mill Road

Milwaukee, WI 53218

or

APPLY ONLINE AT:

Hentzen Career Center

Hentzen Coatings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

All candidates are subject to post-offer testing: including a job-related pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background check.

M-F: 1st Shift
7 AM - 3:30 PM