Senior analyst - national characterization

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Analyst - National Characterization based in United States.

This senior-level role provides leadership for the acquisition, stewardship, analysis, and reporting of material characterization data across multiple states.

You will establish national standards for data quality, consistency, comparability, and long-term usability across complex characterization programs.

The position combines advanced data analysis with governance, quality assurance, methodology development, and strategic program support.

You will shape national sort category frameworks and evaluate state and local studies for methodological alignment and integration opportunities.

Working closely with Data & Analytics and state teams, you will ensure characterization data supports reporting, benchmarking, strategic planning, and program evaluation.

The role requires strong technical judgment, advanced analytical capabilities, and the ability to translate complex findings into practical guidance for diverse stakeholders.

This is an opportunity to influence data standards and analytical practices across a growing, multi-state environmental and materials management program.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of processes for intake and integration of waste characterization datasets, including new studies, legacy data, third-party sources, and state-generated studies.
• Oversee data quality assurance activities, including standardization, validation, preparation, metadata management, documentation, assumptions, and version control.
• Establish and maintain national sort category frameworks and ensure consistent application across programs, state initiatives, and pilot studies.
• Provide oversight of category mapping methodologies, resolving discrepancies and accommodating state-specific reporting requirements while maintaining analytical comparability.
• Evaluate state and local waste characterization studies for methodological alignment, data suitability, quality, and opportunities for integration into broader characterization programs.
• Lead analytical methodologies used to calculate key performance metrics such as contamination, capture, and recycling rates using validated characterization datasets.
• Direct comparative and trend analyses to identify emerging patterns, support cross-state benchmarking, and inform programmatic decision-making.
• Oversee analytical summaries, data visualizations, and reporting deliverables for internal stakeholders, strategic initiatives, and external reporting requirements.
• Establish and maintain QA/QC frameworks, validation standards, and acceptance criteria that support the defensibility, consistency, and reliability of datasets.
• Provide strategic guidance to state teams on data quality and reporting issues, promoting alignment with national standards and best practices.
• Partner with Data & Analytics to ensure characterization data structures, classifications, and workflows align with enterprise data architecture and analytical requirements.
• Develop and continuously improve SOPs covering data intake, QA/QC, category management, analytical methodologies, and long-term data governance.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Waste Management, Data Analytics, or a related field is preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in waste characterization, recycling, materials management, environmental data analysis, or a related field, including leadership of complex data initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and/or R for data management, transformation, statistical analysis, automation, and reproducible analytical workflows.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and demonstrated experience with data analysis, management, reporting, and large or complex datasets.
• Strong knowledge of waste characterization methodologies, material classification systems, and performance metrics, including contamination, capture, and recycling rate calculations.
• Proven experience designing or overseeing data governance, QA/QC, and quality management practices that ensure data integrity, consistency, and defensibility.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and communicate data-driven insights through visualizations, dashboards, technical reports, and analytical summaries.
• Strong technical writing capabilities, including experience developing SOPs, governance frameworks, data standards, and analytical documentation.
• Ability to translate complex methodologies, analytical findings, and data limitations into clear recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong understanding of extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs and related policy, regulatory, and reporting frameworks.
• Excellent project leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives and priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Strong attention to detail, commitment to data accuracy, and a continuous-improvement mindset.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgment, identify risks, and proactively escalate issues when appropriate.
• Strong collaborative skills and the ability to build productive relationships across departments, state teams, and external organizations.

Benefits:

• Annual salary range of $107,000–$127,000 USD.
• Fully remote position within the United States.
• Compensation is determined based on factors including relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and other applicable considerations.
• Opportunity to shape national standards for material characterization data and influence long-term data governance practices.
• High-impact role supporting organizational reporting, strategic planning, benchmarking, and program evaluation.
• Cross-functional exposure to Data & Analytics, Compliance & Regulatory Affairs, Emerging States, and Material Services functions.
• Opportunity to work with complex, multi-source environmental and materials management datasets.
• Significant scope for developing analytical methodologies, SOPs, QA/QC frameworks, and scalable data practices.
• Inclusive workplace committed to equal employment opportunity and reasonable accommodations.

The source posting does not specify additional healthcare, retirement, paid leave, or other formal benefits.