17 Hazardous Waste Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Hazardous waste technicians are responsible for the safe and lawful disposal of hazardous waste. This important job requires a comprehensive knowledge of state and federal hazardous waste regulations.

If you’re looking to enter this career field, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions. In this guide, we’ll provide you with sample questions and answers that will help you stand out in a hazardous waste technician interview.

Are you familiar with the EPA’s hierarchy of waste management?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a hierarchy of waste management that is used to determine the best way to handle hazardous materials. The EPA’s hierarchy of waste management includes five levels, and an interviewer may ask you about this list to see if you are familiar with it. In your answer, try to explain each level in detail and how you would use it in your work as a hazardous waste technician.

Example: “Yes, I am very familiar with the EPA’s hierarchy of waste management. It is important for me to know what steps to take when working with hazardous materials because it helps me keep my team members safe. At the top of the hierarchy is prevention, which means we should always try to prevent hazardous waste from being created in the first place. Next is reduce, which means we should try to reuse or recycle any materials that can be reused or recycled. Then comes recycling, which means we should separate out recyclable materials from non-recyclable ones. After recycling comes energy recovery, which means we should burn the remaining waste to create energy. Finally, there is disposal, which means we should dispose of all remaining waste in landfills or other approved facilities.”

What are the differences between incineration and landfilling when it comes to hazardous waste disposal?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of the different disposal methods for hazardous waste. Use your answer to highlight your understanding of how each method works and what makes them unique from one another.

Example: “There are several differences between incineration and landfilling when it comes to disposing of hazardous waste. First, incineration is more expensive than landfilling because it requires specialized equipment and facilities. Landfills also have a longer lifespan than incinerators, which means they can store hazardous waste for longer periods of time. Incinerators only last for about 20 years before they need to be replaced.”

How would you handle a situation where you were working with a chemical that you were unfamiliar with?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to learn new things and apply them in the workplace. In your answer, demonstrate that you are willing to take on challenges and seek out information when necessary.

Example: “If I was working with a chemical that I had no experience with, I would first try to find as much information about it as possible. If there were no resources available, I would contact my supervisor or other members of the team for help. I am always open to learning new things, so I would be excited to have the opportunity to work with something new.”

What is your process for handling a hazardous waste spill?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to handle a hazardous waste spill and how you would respond in an emergency situation. In your answer, describe the steps you would take to clean up the spill and prevent it from spreading.

Example: “First, I would make sure that everyone was out of the area and then put on my protective gear. Next, I would contain the spill by using absorbent materials like sand or soil to soak up as much of the spill as possible. Then, I would use a vacuum to remove any remaining liquid and dispose of it properly. Finally, I would clean up any mess left behind and ensure that the area is safe for others.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to communicate with a difficult client regarding their hazardous waste needs.

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your communication skills and how you interact with clients. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic and respectful when working with clients who might not always agree with the services you provide.

Example: “In my previous role as a hazardous waste technician, I often had to communicate with clients about their hazardous waste needs. One time, I was working with a client who needed to dispose of some highly toxic chemicals. The client didn’t want to pay for disposal, so they tried to find someone willing to take them off their hands for free. Unfortunately, we couldn’t allow that because it would have put our employees at risk. I explained to the client why we couldn’t accept the chemicals and offered to help them find another facility that could safely dispose of them.”

If you had to choose one type of waste management to specialize in, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to see if the interviewer wants you to specialize in one type of waste management or if they are looking for someone who can do it all. If you have experience with multiple types of hazardous waste, be sure to mention that you’re willing to learn about any new ones.

Example: “I would choose radioactive waste management because I find it fascinating and challenging. It’s important to me to understand how dangerous this waste is so I can properly dispose of it without putting anyone at risk. I’ve always been interested in nuclear energy, so learning more about its disposal process has only increased my interest.”

What would you do if you were assigned to transport hazardous waste to a facility that was experiencing a labor strike?

This question is designed to test your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. Your answer should show that you can think critically, prioritize tasks and communicate effectively with others.

Example: “I would first contact my supervisor to find out if there was a contingency plan in place for this situation. If not, I would call the facility where we were transporting the waste to see if they could delay our delivery until the strike ended. If they couldn’t, I would make sure all of the hazardous waste was properly packaged before leaving the site so it wouldn’t be exposed during transport. I would also notify local law enforcement about the situation so they could monitor the shipment.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see if you can handle the stress of working in a hazardous waste facility. They want to know that you are able to work well under pressure and complete your tasks on time. When answering, try to show that you have experience with handling stressful situations. Explain how you stay calm and focused when there is a lot going on around you.

Example: “I am used to working in high-pressure environments. In my last position, I was responsible for disposing of highly toxic chemicals. There were many safety protocols I had to follow while doing my job, so it was important that I stayed calm and focused. If I made any mistakes, they could have been very dangerous for myself or others. I always make sure to take deep breaths and focus on what I’m doing.”

Do you have any experience performing waste audits?

Hazardous waste technicians often perform audits to determine the amount of hazardous waste a company produces. This helps them plan for transportation and disposal costs. An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with these types of tasks. In your answer, try to share an example of how you completed one in the past.

Example: “In my last role as a hazardous waste technician, I performed several waste audits at different facilities. During each audit, I would meet with facility managers to discuss their current waste management practices. Then, I would inspect the areas where they produced waste to see what materials were being thrown away. From there, I could calculate the total volume of waste that was generated per month.”

When transporting hazardous waste, what is the appropriate number of personnel to have on hand?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of safety protocols when working with hazardous waste. In your answer, provide the number of personnel that should be present during a transport and why it’s important to have more than one person on hand.

Example: “In my experience, I’ve found that two people are sufficient for transporting hazardous waste because there is always someone available to drive if needed. However, three or four people would be ideal since they can help load and unload the truck as well as assist each other in case of an emergency.”

We want to be environmentally friendly. How would you reduce our waste production?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might contribute to their company’s environmental goals. Use examples from your past experience that show how you helped reduce waste production in a previous role.

Example: “I would encourage my team to recycle as much as possible and use reusable materials when appropriate. I’ve seen some companies have recycling bins for different types of recyclables, which is an excellent way to keep track of what items are being recycled. Another thing we could do is compost our food scraps so they don’t end up in the landfill. This can be done by using a large container with holes in it or a small bin that goes into a larger one.”

Describe your experience with using hazardous waste tracking software.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using software programs. Use your answer to highlight your comfort level with technology and your ability to use a variety of computer programs.

Example: “I have used hazardous waste tracking software in my previous role as a hazardous waste technician, where I tracked the disposal of thousands of pounds of hazardous waste per month. The software program I used was easy to navigate, which allowed me to enter information quickly and accurately. In addition to entering data into the system, I also learned how to export reports from the software that helped my supervisor monitor our progress.”

What makes you the best candidate for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant education, certifications and previous work experience.

Example: “I am passionate about environmental conservation and have been working in hazardous waste management for five years now. I am highly knowledgeable when it comes to handling dangerous chemicals and disposing of them safely. In my last job, I was responsible for managing the disposal of toxic materials from local businesses. I also worked with state regulators to ensure we were following all safety protocols.”

Which hazardous waste disposal methods do you prefer to perform and why?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and expertise in hazardous waste disposal. Your answer should include a list of methods you have performed, along with an explanation for why you prefer them over others.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of hazardous waste disposal methods throughout my career, but I find incineration to be one of the most effective. It’s important to me that we dispose of hazardous materials as safely as possible, and incineration is a great way to ensure that toxic chemicals are destroyed completely. Another method I like is chemical neutralization because it allows us to reuse some of the water after the process.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being a hazardous waste technician?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your understanding of what it means to be a hazardous waste technician. It also allows you to share some of your personal values and how they relate to this role. When preparing your answer, think about which aspects of being a hazardous waste technician are most important to you personally.

Example: “I believe that the most important aspect of being a hazardous waste technician is safety. I take pride in my ability to work safely while still completing all of my tasks. In my last position, I was able to reduce the number of accidents by 50% over the course of one year. This helped me develop my skills as a technician and learn more about how to keep myself safe on the job.”

How often should you replace your protective equipment?

Employers ask this question to make sure you know when it’s time to replace your protective equipment. They want to ensure that you’re not wasting company resources by replacing items before they need to be replaced. In your answer, explain how you determine when it’s time to replace your equipment and what factors influence your decision.

Example: “I typically replace my protective equipment every three years. I do this because the chemicals in hazardous waste can degrade certain materials over time. If any of my equipment shows signs of wear or tear, I also replace it sooner rather than later. For example, if a glove has a hole in it, I would replace it immediately. This is for both safety reasons and to prevent contamination.”

There is a leak in a storage tank and the area is starting to fill with fumes. What is your first action?

This question is a test of your ability to prioritize and react quickly in emergency situations. Your answer should include the steps you would take to ensure the safety of yourself and others around you, as well as how you would contain the leak.

Example: “First, I would make sure everyone was out of the area. Then, I would isolate the tank from any other tanks or equipment that could be damaged by fumes. Next, I would call for backup if needed and then use my protective gear to enter the tank and repair the leak. Finally, I would monitor the situation until it was safe to remove my protective gear.”