Solid Waste Lead

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consulting firm is seeking a Solid Waste Lead in Columbus, Ohio. The role involves planning and executing solid waste management projects while maintaining client relationships. You will lead a team, ensure project compliance, and contribute to business development. The ideal candidate has over 7 years of relevant experience, a degree in environmental sciences or related fields, and strong leadership skills. This position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact in the waste industry.

Qualifications

• 7 years of experience in waste management or civil engineering.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 tools.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments effectively.

Responsibilities

• Plan and monitor projects with high strategic complexity.
• Establish client relations and participate in business development.
• Work on various MSW and sustainability projects.

Skills

Waste management/design

Civil site engineering

Client relationship management

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Our Waste Market Sector seeks a candidate who will lead the development and implementation of waste business strategies for our Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Delaware Waste Sector in coordination with the Waste Market Sector global leadership and local operational leadership. We have an opportunity for a planner, scientist, or engineer to join and lead the waste section of our rapidly growing Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Delaware team.

Reporting to the PA/OH/WV/DE Resources Business Group Manager to advance the waste practice through solid waste specific service lines (e.g., facilities, landfills, organics, energy from waste, planning, sustainability, etc.). The primary duties of this position include all aspects of the industry including familiarity and experience with engineering, project management, project pursuits, and client relationship management for projects primarily focused on the municipal solid waste (MSW), waste diversion/sustainability, and solid waste planning industries, with an emphasis on system planning, analyses, design, construction management, strategic planning, and permitting/regulatory compliance. Specific duties will include business development, proposal development, planning, design or design management and permitting of waste systems and waste management.

In addition to leading and building a waste team, the Solid Waste Lead will function as a client manager and project manager on mid-size to large projects and is expected to demonstrate a history of progressive experience effectively leading similar scale projects. This person will be responsible for assisting team leadership in sustaining and growing client relationships and organizing and contributing to overall business development opportunities. A core component of this will be supporting upcoming project opportunities and participating in the project pursuit and proposal development, including developing scopes of work and budgets.

Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, direct and monitor all aspects of multidiscipline projects or medium-sized projects with high degree of strategic complexity, typically involving a large project staff.
• Establish client relations and be involved in business development, marketing, contractual, design and production meetings.
• Coordinate staffing and workload through entire project development to complete documents on schedule.
• Implement QA/QC procedures.
• Work on a wide variety of MSW, planning, or facilities related projects including but not limited to landfills, compost facilities, transfer stations, material recovery facilities, solid waste management plans, sustainability plans, and organics facilities.
• Work with a team in preparation of project deliverables including strategic planning, feasibility studies, waste management plans, engineering design reports, construction drawings, technical specifications, cost estimates and construction schedules with support from HDR’s national practice leads.
• Participate in meetings with clients and regulatory agencies to resolve technical issues and negotiate compliance actions.
• Will also serve as a consultant and supervisor of waste management projects as needed.
• Work independently on technical tasks involving data analysis, interpreting results, and preparing reports, plans and specifications.
• Delegate and supervise junior waste staff on waste projects and staff of professionals and technicians.
• Train and mentor personnel as established by strategic plans.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7 years experience, waste management/design, civil site engineering, or related experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Public Policy, Environmental/Civil Engineering, or related sciences discipline.
• Demonstrated understanding of client relationship management and evidence of experience interacting directly with clients highly preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Teams, OneNote, etc.). Familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D is a plus.
• Must be detail-oriented and a team player with great communication, writing, analytical, organizational, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated experience in client marketing and proposal development.
• Demonstrated experience in project development and execution in the Public and Private sectors.
• Proven leadership and Project Management skills required.
• Previous experience in general the waste industry
• Experience mentoring junior staff.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 7 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

Primary Location

United States-Ohio-Columbus

Other Locations

None

Industry

Waste

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Feb 25, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employee. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great things possible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We’re always looking for great talent to join our global teams.