Solid Waste Manager

Archuletacounty; Pagosa Springs (CO); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Archuleta County seeks a seasoned Solid Waste Director to oversee daily operations of the landfill, transfer and recycling facilities. You will supervise staff, manage budgets, ensure regulatory compliance, and coordinate with regional agencies. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential.

Experience in solid waste management, heavy equipment operation, and SWANA certifications is preferred. This role reports to the Public Works Director and involves frequent public outreach.

Qualifications

• Five years of supervisory and administrative experience.
• Twelfth grade completion with training in equipment operation and management.
• Thorough knowledge of solid waste management principles, laws, and regulations.
• Knowledge of landfill operation, including safety and compliance.
• Ability to plan and operate an enterprise function within revenues.

Responsibilities

• Direct, manage, and supervise landfill, transfer station, and recycling operations.
• Oversee material monitoring, slope, coverage, and site water quality; ensure remediation as needed.
• Hire, train, motivate, and evaluate staff; provide leadership and coaching.
• Negotiate and manage contracts; prepare RFPs and monitor expenditures.
• Represent the County to agencies and boards; attend meetings as required.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Budget management

Public speaking

Communication skills

Understanding regulations

Heavy equipment operation

Education

High school diploma

Twelfth grade + training

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Presentation software

SWANA Certifications

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Directs daily operations across Solid Waste facilities, including landfills, transfer stations, and recycling centers. Performs technical work planning, organizing, equipment maintenance, and compliance reporting.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general direction from the Public Works Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises direct supervision over all positions, employees, operations, and activities of the Solid Waste Department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required. The administration retains the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of the job at any time.

Directs, manages, and supervises the maintenance and operation of the County landfill, transfer station, and recycling operations. Monitors daily operations of facilities, public utilization, and revenue collections.

Oversee monitoring of materials going into the landfill, proper slope, and coverage, monitoring water quality surrounding the site, develop remediation plans and monitor remediation sites; and ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

Exercise direct supervision of employees, operations, and activities within the Solid Waste Department to include; Hiring, training, assignments, motivates, provides leadership, and provides performance coaching, and evaluation of staff.

Coordinates recycling efforts, solid waste collections, landfill operations, and special projects with local and regional organizations and other County departments.

Participates in various committees and boards related to program activities and responsibilities. Identifies community needs and promotes recycling programs providing educational information to public and community groups.

Acts as an official representative of the County in a professional manner with local, state, and national agencies and organizations.

Develops and administers departmental operating and capital budgets; evaluates and oversees purchasing equipment and materials; insures proper maintenance of equipment, technology, and facilities.

Negotiates and manages contracts, prepares Requests for Proposals, and monitors related expenditures.

Attends County Manager and Commissioners' meetings as needed. Occasionally making presentations to the Board of County Commissioners and conducting various public outreach and public education programs. Assists in the operation of heavy equipment including front-end loaders, dozers, and compactors.

Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.

Oversee and coordinate with Administrative Assistant to maintain record keeping and tracking procedures for budget expenditures, timesheets and other departmental requirements.

OTHER DUTIES

Performs other duties as assigned and required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Training and Experience:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by training in equipment operation, supervisory skills, and management.

Experience: Five years of experience in a directly related field or in the performance of similar duties and responsibilities to include supervisory and administrative experience.

Knowledge of:

Thorough knowledge of solid waste management principles, practices, recycling markets, laws and regulations.

Thorough knowledge of the operation, maintenance, and compliance requirements of a landfill to include Solid Waste, Air Quality and Water Quality regulations.

Considerable knowledge of the County's personnel, budgeting, and purchasing policies and procedures.

Considerable knowledge of modern supervisory principles and practices including motivation, communication, performance management, and leadership.

Considerable knowledge of the application of information technology to the work of the department including the use of word processing, presentation software, spreadsheets and any specialized solid waste management technology.

Considerable knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions necessary in the work.

Ability to:

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community. Skill in collaborative conflict resolution, public speaking, and customer service.

Ability to analyze solid waste problems and implement effective solutions.

Negotiate and manage contracts for service.

Ability to plan and operate an enterprise function within available revenues.

Ability to present ideas effectively written and orally.

Perform effective public speaking to groups of varied interests and backgrounds.

Operate and maintain heavy equipment. Equipment to include but not limited to; front-end loaders, heavy- duty trucks, excavators, dozers, and compactors.

Licenses/Certifications:

Possession of and ability to maintain a Colorado Class "B" CDL with a current DOT medical card.

Possession of appropriate SWANA Certifications.

PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Work is primarily conducted indoors with occasional time spent in an outside environment. Incumbent experiences routine exposures and hazards of a typical office environment and occasional exposure to all types of weather conditions, dust, solvents, grease and oils. Frequently required to travel to other County office locations or work sites.

Requires the ability to sit and perform administrative and/or computer work for significant periods of time. Ability to read and understand written documents, maps, blueprints, and/or related materials as required for the performance of the job. Requires manual dexterity to operate computers and standard office equipment.

Requires sufficient hearing and speech ability to communicate verbally in response to inquiries, complaints, and to speak to individuals or groups in an informational or instructional situation.

Incumbent is frequently required to work after normal work hours to attend governmental meetings.

Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Must have visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform accounting, operate a computer terminal and do extensive reading.

Must be physically able to walk on steep slopes, rough terrain in all types of weather.