Resource Recovery Specialist

Our Region

Gladstone offers dynamic career opportunities across diverse industries, catering to a range of skills and ambitions. Whether you're advancing your career or seeking work-life balance, Gladstone's industrial strength, innovative energy projects, and bustling service sectors make it a fantastic place to work and live.

You'll be glad you made it

Our Council

Discover a fulfilling career at Gladstone Regional Council, where your dedication to community service merges with our commitment to improving residents' lives. Every role contributes to the livelihood of those who call Gladstone home.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the entire community we serve. At Gladstone Regional Council, we embrace diversity in our collective pursuit of inclusion. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, or background, can thrive. Inclusion is at the heart of our culture.

View our Access and Inclusion Action PlanandReconciliation Action Plan

Our Culture & Our Benefits

Join our supportive and collaborative culture where your well-being comes first. We're committed to nurturing your holistic wellness through health programs and events, our culture journey and flexible working options.

We partner with our people to understand their needs and provide the tools that develop skills, knowledge and healthy culture. Our people are valued for the part they play in delivering for the Gladstone Region. We are proud of who we are and what we do. We are #ProudlyGRC

Find out more here Better Balance, Better Benefits with GRC

Resource Recovery Specialist

Gladstone Regional Council's Waste Program Delivery team is driving innovation across waste and resource recovery — and we're looking for a Resource Recovery Specialist to help us deliver the next phase of our circular economy vision. This position is a maximum term full time opportunity with a projected end date of November 2028.

• 9-Day Fortnight: Enjoy genuine work–life balance with regular long weekends.
• Attractive Salary
• Make a Real Difference: Help shape the future of resource recovery for the Gladstone Region — driving innovation, improving diversion from landfill, and delivering visible environmental outcomes.

About the Role

This position leads the delivery and enhancement of resource recovery programs and operations to maximise waste diversion from landfill and support GRC's compliance with the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 and Queensland Waste Strategy targets. The incumbent will coordinate end-market development for recyclables to ensure environmental, financial, and regulatory objectives are achieved.

In this role

In this hands-on strategic role, you'll work closely with our Waste Operations team to identify, implement and optimise recovery initiatives across our network — including the Benaraby Landfill, transfer stations, and the Council's expanding recycling and reuse programs.

You'll play a leading role in:

• Improving diversion rates through targeted recovery programs (metals, timber, mattresses, organics, etc.).
• Analysing waste data to identify trends, opportunities and performance improvements.
• Supporting partnerships with social enterprises and contractors to expand reuse and recycling.
• Designing and monitoring trials (e.g. construction & demolition pad, mattress recycling, and GO bin rollout).
• Delivering community outcomes that align with Council's Waste Strategy and the Queensland Waste Strategy.

If you're passionate about sustainability, skilled in operational improvement, and enjoy collaborating across teams to make tangible change, we want to hear from you.

You will bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in waste management, environmental science, or a related field, or equivalent significant industry experience.

• Minimum of three years' experience in waste management or resource recovery operations, ideally within a local government environment.

• Current Queensland 'C' class driver's licence.

• Required to hold current Construction white card.

Eligibility & Pre-employment Checks

To be eligible for this position, the candidate must have applicable working rights.

This position requires immunisation against Hepatitis A/B and Tetanus.

Depending on the role requirements, you may need to complete various checks and assessments as part of the recruitment process. This could include reference checks, pre-employment medicals (including drug and alcohol testing), vaccinations, visa checks, licence verifications and psychometric testing.

For questions related to the role or recruitment process, please call Council on or email the Talent Acquisition Team at

Closing Date

12 noon Monday 3 November 2025.