100 signatures reached
To: Far North District Council
We want a new Waste Management and Minimisation Officer not a new ‘Solid Waste Engineer’
We call upon our Far North District Council to urgently amend the title of the currently advertised role of ‘Solid Waste Engineer’ into a 'Waste Management and Minimisation Officer’ and to amend the responsibilities to focus more on fully on waste minimisation aspects.
Why is this important?
The Far North region lags behind other regions of Aotearoa New Zealand in reducing waste: we need to do more, and that starts with getting the correct title and responsibilities for this important role!
FNDC understandably works to reduce their costs yet rising waste levels cost ratepayers in other ways. We seek greater focus at Council to align with the requirements of the FNDC Long Term Plan on waste minimisation as well as the recommendations of the 2024 council-sponsored Community/Iwi Working Group on Waste.
FNDC understandably works to reduce their costs yet rising waste levels cost ratepayers in other ways. We seek greater focus at Council to align with the requirements of the FNDC Long Term Plan on waste minimisation as well as the recommendations of the 2024 council-sponsored Community/Iwi Working Group on Waste.
The currently advertised name of ‘Solid Waste Engineer’ is inappropriate: engineering is not a major part of this role and this title fails to reflect the job we need someone to take responsibility for at Council: to manage AND to minimise waste.
Now the incumbent is leaving the position, it is a perfect opportunity to rescope and rename the role. Community, Iwi, and Farming and Business-led waste minimisation initiatives need support from someone in Council whose job title makes them instantly recognisable as the first point of contact.
The current Position Description for this advertised role lacks a focus on waste reduction: out of 18 Key Accountabilities, there is only one imprecise and very general reference: ‘Initiate Waste Minimisation planning and implementation.’ We believe this is insufficient, and request the Position Description to be amended to include specific reference to:
- Providing advice with regards to waste and litter minimisation, recycling and resource recovery, particularly as they relate to communication and education.
- Supporting community projects and initiatives to assist Far North communities and to recognise businesses and organisations committed to reducing waste to landfill and litter in the natural environment
- Encouraging and supporting the FNDC organisation and its contractors to achieve Ecostar certification to highlight their role modelling of waste minimisation and resource recovery
- Supporting and assisting with the implementation of relevant education actions for waste and litter minimisation and resource recovery strategies and plans.
In common with other councils across Aotearoa NZ, FNDC has the responsibility to create and implement 5-yearly Waste Management & Minimisation Plans and the title, ‘Waste Management and Minimisation Officer’ will align with similar roles in other councils.
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