City of Springfield Environmental Services names Erick Roberts as assistant director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The City's Environmental Services department has named Erick Roberts as assistant director effective Sept. 26.

Roberts has been with the City of Springfield since 2000, serving various technician roles with the Solid Waste division before being promoted to Superintendent of Solid Waste in 2012.

As superintendent, Roberts managed the City's Integrated Solid Waste Management System - overseeing Springfield's Noble Hill Sanitary Landfill, Yardwaste Recycling Center, recycling drop-off facilities and Household Chemical Collection Center. He also managed several aspects of environmental compliance, served in a project manager role for the department and assisted with various environmental education opportunities throughout the community.

Roberts holds a bachelor of arts in chemistry from William Jewell College and has completed graduate studies with an emphasis in environmental chemistry from Missouri State University. He holds certifications in integrated solid waste system management and composting operations management from the Solid Waste Association of North America.

Roberts serves as chair for the Ozarks Headwaters Recycling and Materials Management District Board, serving as their voting member to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Advisory Board. He is a past president of the Missouri Waste Control Coalition and serves on advisory boards for several area educational institutions.

In his new role, Roberts will work alongside assistant director Ron Petering to lead Environmental Services projects and initiatives and will work to track and make recommendations to comply with regulations, implement the City's sanitary sewer Overflow Control Plan, Capital Improvement Plan and the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan, among other duties.

"Erick is an extremely talented leader with a unique ability to anticipate the needs of our community," says Environmental Services Director Errin Kemper. "I am very excited to watch him excel in his new role."

About Environmental Services

The Department of Environmental Services is one of the City's largest departments and is the operational umbrella for the sanitary sewer system, wastewater treatment plants, solid waste management and recycling, air quality, sustainability efforts and integrated planning for the environment. The department also works in partnership with the Public Works department to meet the stormwater management needs of the community and protect water quality of area lakes, streams and rivers.

In 2021, Public Works and Environmental Services collectively achieved reaccreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA) - achieving 100% compliance. The departments first achieved accreditation by APWA in June 2013.

"Since Environmental Services was established in 2011, the department has grown considerably," Kemper explains. "It has expanded to meet the demands of evolving environmental regulations and significant community investments, all while continuing to offer a variety of vital services to the Springfield region."

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For more information, contact Communication Coordinator Kristen Milam at 573-819-3713 or [email protected].

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