Career change as a waste management specialist

Career change paths

• Indirect discharge monitoring officer

  Also: Water protection officer

  With on-the-job training

  At a wastewater association, an authority or an industrial company, you check discharges, take samples, advise companies and document whether conditions are met.

  What you bring:

  You know which substances cause problems in wastewater, how samples are taken and what measured values mean.

  How to get there:

  Municipalities, wastewater associations and industrial companies train specialists from wastewater technology over a few weeks to months. To be appointed as a water protection officer, companies usually require an expertise course of a few days to weeks at a training provider.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekends

  €5,148gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Plant operator at a combined heat and power plant

  Also: Shift operator at a biomass power plant

  With on-the-job training

  In a heating or biomass power plant, you run boilers, turbines and auxiliary plants, check water and exhaust gas values and work closely with maintenance.

  What you bring:

  You are used to monitoring a plant through the control room and rounds, recognizing faults and reacting safely in shift work (Schichtdienst).

  How to get there:

  Municipal utilities and power plant operators train plant operators from supply and disposal for several months. A recognized qualification can later come from the upgrading course for certified power plant operator (Geprüfter Kraftwerker) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Without training in a metal, electrical or chemical trade, admission requires four years of work practice in a power plant.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workLittle customer contact

  €5,720gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Plant operator at a biogas plant

  Also: Operator of fermentation plants

  With on-the-job training

  In a biogas or organic waste fermentation plant, you steer feeding and the fermentation process, check gas quality and safety technology and keep the plant running.

  What you bring:

  You know biological degradation processes, digesters, pumps and gas routing from the wastewater treatment plant.

  How to get there:

  Operators usually train specialists from wastewater technology over a few weeks to months. For biogas plants, there is operator training of a few days that some employers require. The plants are often in the countryside, so a class B driving license is usually necessary.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact
  View job

• Sampler for water and wastewater

  Also: Staff member in an environmental lab

  With on-the-job training

  In an environmental or water lab, you take samples at customers' sites, carry out analyses, check measuring devices and document the results.

  What you bring:

  You take samples according to regulations and know measuring devices and lab values from the in-house lab of your plant.

  How to get there:

  Environmental labs train specialists with experience in an in-house lab over a few weeks, and there are short courses for sampling. For demanding analyses, you usually need a lab qualification, for example through retraining (Umschulung) to become a chemical lab technician (Chemielaborant).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekends

  €4,317gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Technical field sales representative for pumps and water technology

  Also: Sales representative for water treatment plants

  With on-the-job training

  At a manufacturer or dealer, you advise sewage treatment plants, water suppliers and industrial companies, prepare offers and support commissioning.

  What you bring:

  You know from operations which pumps, agitators, measuring devices and chemicals prove their worth and where things go wrong in everyday work.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers train specialists from sewage and water plants with product training over a few weeks to months. A class B driving license and willingness to travel are usually expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Service technician for water treatment plants

  Also: Service technician for pumps and valves

  With on-the-job training

  As a service technician, you visit customers, commission plants, maintain and repair them and explain the operation to the operators.

  What you bring:

  You know pumps, filters, dosing systems and controls from maintenance and fault repair.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers and service companies train specialists with technical understanding through manufacturer training of a few weeks to months. For work on electrics, some employers also require a course as a qualified electrician for defined tasks (Elektrofachkraft für festgelegte Tätigkeiten).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLots of contact with people

  €4,563gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Wheel loader operator at a recycling yard

  Also: Material handler operator

  With on-the-job training

  With a wheel loader or material handler, you feed sorting plants, push and load material, keep storage areas in order and load trucks and containers.

  What you bring:

  You know the processes at the company yard, the types of material and the hazards between vehicles, bunkers and belts.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the employer with a course for earthmoving machines or wheel loaders of a few days to weeks and written authorization by the company. The move is often possible within your own company. A qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a construction equipment operator (Baugeräteführer/in), 3 years, and you can also get it through the external exam (Externenprüfung) after 4.5 years of practice.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Little customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €4,089gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Forklift driver

  Also: Intralogistics worker

  With on-the-job training

  As a forklift driver, you load and stack bales and pallets, supply presses and belts with containers and load trucks, in recycling, production or the warehouse.

  What you bring:

  You know bales, mesh boxes and containers and know how to move heavy and bulky cargo safely.

  How to get there:

  You need a forklift license under DGUV Principle 308-001 (DGUV Grundsatz 308-001). The course usually takes 1 to 3 days, followed by an introduction at the company and a written driving authorization. The course is partly funded with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein), and companies can also train their staff themselves. The move is often possible within your own company.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €3,198gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Waste collector

  Also: Loader at the refuse collection

  With on-the-job training

  At the refuse collection, you empty bins and containers on fixed routes, watch for wrongly filled bins and ensure safety at the vehicle in road traffic.

  What you bring:

  You know types of waste, wrongly sorted waste and bins and are used to physically demanding work with an early start.

  How to get there:

  Municipal and private waste disposal companies hire loaders with a few days to weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). The work starts early, is physically demanding and takes place in all weather. Municipal companies often apply collective pay agreements (Tarifverträge) of the public service, and experienced loaders can later advance to driver.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €3,426gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Nursing assistant

  Also: Nursing assistant in elderly care

  With on-the-job training

  In nursing assistance, you support qualified nurses with personal hygiene, eating and moving around, and you are there for people who need help in daily life.

  What you bring:

  You work reliably in shift operation, pitch in physically and keep to hygiene and protective rules.

  How to get there:

  You can start as a nursing assistant after a basic nursing course (Pflegebasiskurs) of a few weeks. For a qualification, you can do vocational training (Ausbildung) as a nursing assistant (Pflegefachassistentin/Pflegefachassistent). From January 1, 2027 this training is uniform nationwide and usually takes 18 months full-time, with training pay.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,296gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Trainer for environmental technology trades

  Also: Trainer at a wastewater association

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a trainer, you accompany apprentices in the environmental technology trades and prepare them for the exams.

  What you bring:

  You know the procedures in a sewage or water plant from practice and can explain manual skills, measurements and safety rules clearly.

  How to get there:

  You need the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung), which you prove with the exam under the AEVO at the responsible body. Preparation courses usually take a few weeks or run alongside work. Training is often a side task next to plant operation, and full-time trainer positions exist mainly at large associations and municipal utilities.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30 and Ordinance on Trainer Aptitude (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Lead hand at a sorting plant

  Also: Master craftsperson for circular and waste management and city cleaning

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a lead hand or master craftsperson (Meister), you assign shifts, train new colleagues, check sorting quality and ensure occupational safety.

  What you bring:

  You know the workplaces at the belt and plant, the sorting specifications and the safety rules and know where the process gets stuck.

  How to get there:

  Usually you first take on a lead hand role after some years. Then comes the upgrading course to become a certified master craftsperson for circular and waste management and city cleaning (Geprüfte/r Meister/in für Kreislauf- und Abfallwirtschaft und Städtereinigung), which is eligible for Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Without a vocational qualification, you are admitted after at least 5 years of practice, and with a recognized vocational qualification after 2 years. For the second part of the exam, another year is added in each case. The ordinance still mentions admission after just 1 year for the former specialist for circular and waste management (Fachkraft für Kreislauf- und Abfallwirtschaft). The chamber decides whether the successor qualification of environmental technologist (Umwelttechnologe/-technologin) counts equally.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €5,478gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Professional driver in waste disposal

  Also: Driver in container service

  With further training

  As a driver, you pick up containers and waste from businesses, construction sites and recycling yards, operate hook-lift or roll-off tippers and deliver the material to sorting and recovery plants.

  What you bring:

  You know types of waste, containers and the processes at recycling yards and plants.

  How to get there:

  You need a driving license class C or CE plus the accelerated basic qualification (Grundqualifikation) with 140 teaching units and an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Together they usually take a few months. Funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) is possible if the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or Jobcenter approves it. Some waste disposal companies qualify their own employees themselves. For dangerous goods transport, ADR training is added.*Regulated by law (Driving License Ordinance (FeV), Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG), Professional Driver Qualification Ordinance (BKrFQV)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €3,262gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Warehouse specialist

  Also: Warehouse logistics specialist

  With retraining

  In the warehouse of a retailer, manufacturer or logistics company, you receive goods, store them according to specifications, put deliveries together and drive industrial trucks.

  What you bring:

  You work reliably in shift operation, sort carefully to specifications and are used to physical work.

  How to get there:

  Vocational training (Ausbildung) as a warehouse specialist (Fachlagerist/in) takes 2 years, and retraining (Umschulung) usually about 16 months. The Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or Jobcenter can fund retraining if the requirements are met. Warehouses also hire warehouse helpers without a qualification and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). After at least 3 years of warehouse practice, the external exam (Externenprüfung) is then possible, and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) decides whether your work counts. You get the forklift license in a few days.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,235gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Security guard

  Also: Property protection worker

  With further training

  In the security service, you guard company premises, warehouses or accommodation, check access points and vehicles and do rounds.

  What you bring:

  You work reliably in shifts, keep an eye on processes and consistently follow safety rules.

  How to get there:

  Briefing under § 34a GewO (Unterrichtung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) takes 40 teaching hours, plus a reliability check by the authority. For inspection rounds in publicly accessible areas, protection against shoplifters or admission to discos, you need the expertise exam (Sachkundeprüfung) at the IHK instead. Later the training as a specialist for protection and security (Fachkraft für Schutz und Sicherheit) is possible.*Regulated by law (Trade Regulation Code (GewO) § 34a, Security Services Ordinance (BewachV)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demanding

  €3,200gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.