17 Sanitation Supervisor Interview Questions and Answers

Maintaining a clean and healthy environment for the public is essential for the sanitation supervisor. This individual is responsible for the cleaning and sanitizing of all public areas in a facility. From schools and hospitals to prisons and office buildings, the sanitation supervisor ensures that all areas meet health and safety regulations.

If you’re looking for a job in this field, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. One way to prepare for this important meeting is to learn how to answer sanitation supervisor interview questions before talking with an interviewer.

Employers look for sanitation supervisors who are responsible, reliable, and have excellent communication skills. You’ll also need to be able to work independently and be able to follow written and verbal instructions. A sanitation supervisor interview is your chance to show that you’ve polished these skills to a shine. To help you get ready, we’ve listed sanitation supervisor questions and answers that will help you figure out what you want to say during an interview.

Are you comfortable working with hazardous materials?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with hazardous materials and how comfortable you are with it. If you do not have any experience, you can talk about your willingness to learn new things.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with hazardous materials because I’ve done so in my previous role as a sanitation supervisor. In fact, I was responsible for ensuring that all of our employees were properly trained on how to handle these materials safely. We also had safety equipment available for anyone who needed it. I feel confident handling hazardous materials like biohazard waste.”

What are some of the most important skills for a sanitation supervisor to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to be successful in this role. A sanitation supervisor needs to be able to work well with others, communicate effectively and solve problems. You can answer this question by listing some of these skills and explaining why they are important for a sanitation supervisor.

Example: “I believe that communication, problem-solving and teamwork are three of the most important skills for a sanitation supervisor to have. Communication is important because it allows me to share information with my team members about what we’re doing and how we’re going to do it. Problem-solving is also important because I may need to find solutions to issues that arise during the day. Finally, teamwork is important because I’ll be working with many people on a daily basis.”

How would you deal with a situation where a member of your team is not following proper sanitation procedures?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your leadership skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you can use your problem-solving skills to help your team members improve their sanitation procedures while also maintaining a positive relationship with them.

Example: “If I noticed one of my team members was not following proper sanitation procedures, I would first approach them privately to discuss the issue. If they were aware of the mistake but simply forgot, I would give them some time to correct it on their own. However, if they continued to make the same mistake, I would hold a meeting with all of my staff to explain why these procedures are so important. I would then provide additional training for anyone who needed it.”

What is your experience with using waste management software?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with using technology to complete tasks. Use examples from your past job or a time you used software to manage waste management processes and procedures.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing all of our sanitation records in an Excel spreadsheet. This helped me keep track of important information like employee schedules, daily routes and customer service issues. However, it became difficult to manage this data when we had more than 100 employees on staff. We eventually implemented a waste management software that allowed us to organize our data into different categories so we could find specific information quickly.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional when faced with a challenging situation. In your answer, try to focus on the steps you took to resolve the issue or diffuse the conflict.

Example: “In my previous role as sanitation supervisor, I had a client who was unhappy with our services. The client called me multiple times about their dissatisfaction, which made it difficult for me to address their concerns. Eventually, I scheduled a meeting with the client so we could discuss their issues in person. During the meeting, I listened carefully to what they were saying and tried to understand their perspective. After hearing them out, I explained why some of their complaints weren’t valid and offered to make up for any inconvenience.”

If you could change one thing about the way sanitation is currently handled in this company, what would it be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your leadership skills and how you would implement change in their department. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you like least about working in sanitation and how you could improve that aspect of the job.

Example: “I really enjoy working with my team members, but I wish we had more time to interact outside of work. If I could change one thing about our current sanitation system, I would try to find a way to make our jobs less isolating so we could get to know each other better. For example, I would suggest implementing a mentorship program where senior employees mentor new hires.”

What would you do if you noticed that a member of your team was not following proper safety procedures?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the authority and confidence to correct your team members when they’re not following safety procedures. In your answer, explain that you would first try to speak with them in private about their mistake. If they continue to ignore proper safety procedures, you would take more serious action such as issuing a formal warning or even terminating their employment if necessary.

Example: “I believe it’s important for sanitation workers to follow all safety procedures because it can help prevent accidents from happening. I once worked with a sanitation worker who didn’t wear gloves while cleaning up trash. When he was disposing of some hazardous waste, he touched his face without washing his hands afterward. I pulled him aside later that day and explained why it was so important to always wear gloves while working. He apologized and promised to never do it again.”

How well do you think you can work with other department leaders in order to ensure efficient waste management?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you can work with others. To answer, think of a time when you worked well with other department leaders or managers in order to achieve a common goal.

Example: “I have experience working with other department heads to ensure that our waste management processes are efficient. For example, I once worked with the recycling manager to create a plan for collecting recyclables from different locations on campus. We decided which bins would be best suited for each type of recyclable material and where they should go. This helped us reduce costs by not having to purchase additional bins.”

Do you have any experience training new employees?

This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership skills and how you might approach training sanitation employees. Use examples from past experience to highlight your communication, teaching and interpersonal skills.

Example: “In my last role as a sanitation supervisor, I had two new employees start on our team. One of them was brand-new to the industry while the other had just moved to the area. I met with both employees one-on-one to introduce myself and discuss their goals for working in the department. Then, I scheduled weekly meetings with each employee to check in and see how they were adjusting to the job. The employee who had worked in the industry before appreciated the opportunity to learn more about our specific processes and procedures.”

When is the best time to add chemical additives to waste streams?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of sanitation processes and procedures. Use examples from your experience to highlight your ability to work independently and make decisions that affect the entire team.

Example: “The best time to add chemical additives is when waste streams are at their highest volume, which usually occurs during lunchtime or after school hours. This allows for maximum exposure to the chemicals so they can break down waste more efficiently. In my last role as a sanitation supervisor, I noticed our facility’s composting process was taking longer than usual. After speaking with my team, we realized we were adding the additive too early in the process. We adjusted our timing and saw an improvement in the quality of compost.”

We want to become more environmentally friendly. What ideas do you have for ways we could reduce our waste footprint?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of environmental sustainability and how you might implement it in your workplace. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your ability to reduce waste, reuse materials or recycle items.

Example: “I think one way we could become more environmentally friendly is by implementing a recycling program for our facility. I worked at my last job where we had a recycling program that was easy to use and helped us divert much of our waste from landfills. Another idea would be to start composting food scraps so we can turn them into fertilizer for our landscaping.”

Describe your experience with using industrial vacuums.

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with using vacuums in a sanitation department. Use examples from previous jobs to describe how you used industrial vacuums and what types of vacuums you’ve worked with.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for overseeing the maintenance of our company’s fleet of industrial vacuums. We had several different models that we rotated through based on their use and need. For example, some vacuums were better at picking up large debris while others were more effective at cleaning carpeted areas. I also trained new employees on how to operate these vacuums so they could clean effectively.”

What makes you stand out from other sanitation supervisors?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you compare to other candidates. When answering, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from the rest of the field. You may also want to mention any certifications you have earned in sanitation management.

Example: “I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to work well under pressure. I am always prepared for emergencies and know how to handle them when they arise. In fact, I once had to take over as acting supervisor during an emergency situation at my last job. My team was able to get through the day without any issues because of my leadership skills.”

Which waste management systems have you worked with in the past?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with different types of waste management systems. You can answer this question by listing the specific systems you’ve worked with and how they helped improve your job performance.

Example: “In my previous role as a sanitation supervisor, I oversaw a team that managed residential trash collection services. This required me to work with trucks that collected trash from curbside bins. In my current position, however, I oversee commercial trash collection services. These require me to work with larger trucks that collect trash from dumpsters behind businesses.”

What do you think is the most important thing sanitation supervisors can do to ensure the safety of their employees?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have a strong commitment to the safety of your employees. They want to know that you will take steps to ensure their sanitation workers are safe on the job and that they can perform their duties without any major risks. In your answer, explain what you think is most important for keeping your employees safe and how you would implement those policies in your work as a sanitation supervisor.

Example: “I believe the most important thing sanitation supervisors can do to keep their employees safe is provide them with proper equipment and training. I always make sure my team has all the tools they need to get the job done safely and efficiently. I also hold regular trainings so everyone knows how to use our equipment properly and safely.”

How often should you change out filters on waste management equipment?

Filters are an important part of waste management equipment, and the interviewer may want to know how often you change them out. This can help them understand your technical knowledge about filters and their importance in sanitation operations. Use examples from your experience to show that you have a good understanding of when it’s time to replace filters on different types of equipment.

Example: “Filters should be changed every two weeks or after they’ve collected 10 pounds of debris. I always make sure my team knows when filters need to be replaced so they can keep track of this information as well. Filters that aren’t changed regularly can lead to more frequent repairs for equipment, which can cost the company money.”

There is a bug infestation in one of our storage units. What is the best way to handle this situation?

Bugs can be a common problem in sanitation departments. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle infestations and other bugs that may occur on the job. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to get rid of the bugs as quickly as possible. Show them that you are willing to do whatever it takes to keep the facility free of pests.

Example: “I would first call an exterminator to come out and assess the situation. I would then have all employees move their belongings from the storage unit until the exterminator could treat the area. After the treatment, I would allow employees back into the storage unit. If there were any items damaged by the bugs, I would work with HR to replace those items.”