Deputy Director of Solid Waste

Washington County Government; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington County Government seeks a Deputy Director – Solid Waste to plan, coordinate and direct landfill and recycling operations under the Director of Environmental Management. The role oversees department personnel and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations.

Responsibilities include developing budgets, enforcing safety rules, managing permits, preparing plans, and guiding ongoing improvement of recycling and waste disposal programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.
• Registered Professional Engineer preferred.
• 5–10 years managing solid waste operations including landfill operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations of all Solid Waste facilities.
• Plan, organize, supervise disposal, recycling, and covering.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Develop and enforce Solid Waste Regulations and budgets.
• Coordinate safety programs and employee evaluations.

Skills

Plan & manage operations

Regulatory compliance

Technical writing

Stakeholder relations

Budget development

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

Professional Engineer (PE) preferred

Job description

JOB TITLE: Deputy Director – Solid Waste

GRADE: 17

DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Director of Environmental Management

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK

Performs professional and administrative work planning, coordinating and directing, landfill and recycling operations. Direction is provided by the Director of Environmental Management. Supervision is exercised over all department personnel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

1. Responsible for the operations, compliance and activities of all Solid Waste facilities.
2. Plans, organizes, assigns and supervises the receiving, disposing, compacting, and covering of solid waste.
3. Conducts regular inspections of landfill sites to ensure that work being performed is in accordance with state and federal regulations.
4. Responsible for operations and monitoring of closed facilities for compliance with Federal, State and regulations.
5. Responsible for the development and enforcement of Solid Waste Ordinances, Rules, and Regulations and prepare updates for consideration by the Board of County Commissioners.
6. Responsible for implementing and maintaining a cost-effective recycling program, special waste/recycling activities and preparing new goals and initiatives to advance these programs.
7. Establishes work priorities and schedules. Delegates assignments to subordinate staff.
8. Development and execution of goals/objectives for Department.
9. Reviews sick leave usage, vacations, personal leave and employee evaluations.
10. Provide information to the Consultants for the design and review of plans and specifications for solid waste projects.
11. Assist County Staff with the design of solid projects as required.
12. Responsible for the development of RFP for services as required for Solid Waste operations.
13. Responsible for the development of regulatory plans, i.e. ground water monitoring, volatile gas plan, closure plans, discharge permits, and others to meet State, Federal and local regulations.
14. Responsible for all permits required by Federal, State and local regulations for the operations of the Solid Waste facilities.
15. Enforces safety rules and accident prevention procedures and develops a departmental safety program to provide a safe environment at all Solid Waste Facilities.
16. Investigate alternatives for disposal and reuse. Investigate and work with engineers and consultants, to establish landfill areas to develop and schedules work accordingly.
17. Prepares Operating and Capital budget. Monitors expenditures.
18. License Solid Waste handlers in Washington County.
19. Prepares specifications for bidding on equipment and services.
20. Participates in updates of County Solid Waste Plan and other ordinances with Planning Department.
21. Reviews and approves requisitions, billings and purchase orders.
22. Prepares and maintains necessary reports for reporting and accounting.
23. Monitors for and diverts disposal of waste not acceptable at County facilities. Works with industry in an advisory capacity for proper disposal of these wastes.
24. Investigates citizen and regulatory complaints and remedies same.
25. Participate in union negotiations.
26. Manage all design and construction projects for the Department.
27. Performs related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Ability to plan, maintain and manage efficient solid waste operation.
2. Knowledge of current practices, methods and procedures for collecting, sorting and marketing recyclable materials;
3. Comprehensive knowledge of local, state and federal regulations relating to landfill operations and related environmental rules and regulations;
4. Ability to design, review and analyze plans and specifications for the operation, maintenance and construction of facilities;
5. Ability to formulate comprehensive operational policies and procedures;
6. Ability to prepare technical reports;
7. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state, local and federal officials, associates, subordinates, contractors and the general public.
8. Excellent communication skills and ability to write and interpret technical documents.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Bachelor’s degree required, MBA preferred. Advanced study in Environmental Engineering or Civil Engineering strongly preferred.
2. Registered Professional Engineer (preferred).
3. 5 to 10 years managing solid waste operations including sanitary landfill operations preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined in the ability to see, read, talk, hear and handle or feel objects and controls. Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as but not limited to personal computer, calculator, copier and fax machine. Some standing, walking, moving, climbing, carrying, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and handling, pushing and pulling is required. Have the ability to traverse rough terrain.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of an appropriate valid driver’s license

Revised: 09/2016, 01/2019, 08/2026

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.