Solid Waste & Recycling Manager

Washington County, Oregon; Hillsboro (OR); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington County, Oregon's Solid Waste & Recycling Division within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeks an experienced leader to guide a team of 16 in providing responsible waste reduction and disposal programs while ensuring regulatory compliance.

You will help shape the division's strategic path, engage with state and local governments, haulers, and advisory boards, and foster a culture of trust, accountability, and collaborative problem solving in a complex public utility

Qualifications

• Experience leading a 16-person team in a government or public utility setting.
• Knowledge of local, regional, and state regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing a multi-million-dollar budget for waste programs.
• Strong planning and communication skills with a collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to a team of 16.
• Manage regulatory responsibility for a $42 million garbage and recycling collection system and the division's operating budget of about $2.9 million.
• Ensure compliance and alignment with local, regional, and state requirements.
• Engage with state, regional, city governments, private sector organizations, and advisory committees.
• Advise county leadership and partners on materials management strategies and regulations.
• Build partnerships across cities, regional agencies, haulers, boards, and officials.
• Represent the division at public meetings and cross-departmental workgroups.
• Foster an environment of trust, empowerment, and psychological safety.
• Develop a shared vision and strategic plan for the team’s future.
• Contribute to department priorities and initiatives within HHS.

Skills

Trauma-informed leadership

Emotional intelligence

Active listening

Collaborative problem solving

Change management

Clear communication

Stakeholder relationships

Regulatory environment

Materials management

Job description

Job Type: Regular

Pay Range: $113,190.84 - $137,545.92 Salary

Department: Health and Human Services

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

About the Opportunity:

* Effective 9/8/2026, this recruitment will open continuous until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received, and the posting may be closed at any time without further notice. Washington County reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period. *

** It is anticipated that the first initial application screening will start on 9/28/2026. This posting will remain open, and applications received after the initial screening date may be considered if needed. **

Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling Division within the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is seeking an experienced, collaborative, forward-thinking and person-centered leader. The Solid Waste & Recycling Manager will join a dedicated group of professionals helping people contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient community through waste reduction and disposal programs. As evolving regulatory requirements, community expectations, and emerging technologies influence the waste materials management industry, this position will play a critical part in charting a clear, strategic path forward.

If you are motivated by public service, community impact, and leading a team with compassion and clarity, this role offers an exciting opportunity. Our work supports fair access to services for all communities and honors the various experiences of the people we serve. We strive to build an environment where staff feel respected, heard, and empowered to contribute fully, and we are looking for a leader who shares that commitment. By combining thoughtful leadership with strong organizational systems and effective communication, you will help position our programs and our people for long term success.

• Provide leadership to a team of 16.
• Manage the regulatory responsibility for a $42 million garbage and recycling collection system and the division's consolidated operating budget of roughly $2.9 million.
• Ensure compliance and alignment with local, regional, and state requirements.
• Engage with staff at state, regional and city governments, private sector organizations, regulated entities, elected officials, and advisory committee members.
• Advise county leadership and, at times, city partners regarding local, regional, and statewide materials management strategies, mandates, and regulations.
• Build partnerships across cities, regional agencies, haulers, advisory boards, and elected officials.
• Represent the Solid Waste & Recycling Division at public meetings and on multi-agency and cross-departmental workgroups.
• Foster a healthy internal culture through trust-building, team empowerment, psychological safety, and shared purpose.
• Develop a shared vision and strategic plan through collaborative process to lead the team into the future, anticipating needs, and challenges.
• Contribute to and support the overall mission of the County's HHS leadership team and help advance department-wide priorities and initiatives.

Work Schedule:

May be eligible for a hybrid work schedule including remote work. Some evening or weekend work may be needed depending on the business needs.

Ideal Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Strong planning, communication and managerial skills through a trauma-informed lens while contributing to an established robust team culture. We are looking for a leadership style grounded in:
• emotional intelligence, self-awareness and approaching differences with humility and care
• active listening, collaborative problem-solving, and effective change management
• a steady presence with follow-through and reliabilitytransparency and clear communication
• the ability to make people feel valued and supported
• respect for various experiences and perspectives
• Skills to foster an environment where staff feel comfortable sharing differing viewpoints, raising concerns, and engaging in constructive debate.
• Ability to navigate difficult conversations, balance compassion with accountability, and help teams move through conflicts in healthy ways by being committed to consistent follow-up to reach solutions.
• Skills to navigate complex and highly visible political settings with diplomacy, tact, and responsiveness while fostering strong relationships with advisory committees, partner agencies, community organizations, and the Washington County Board of Commissioners.
• In depth knowledge of working in a regulatory environment such as a public utility, a franchised solid waste system, or a similar environment. Familiar with materials management concepts and industry best practices.
• Ability to approach new conce