Solid Waste Route Supervisor

City of Tacoma; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Tacoma is seeking a Solid Waste Route Supervisor in the Environment & Public Works Department to lead frontline crews, optimize route operations, and ensure safe, reliable waste collection for Tacoma neighborhoods. This role emphasizes leadership, teamwork, customer focus, and process improvement as you supervise daily activities, coordinate with drivers, monitor performance, and promote safety.

Qualifications include a high school diploma and 3 years of related experience; a Washington

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of increasingly-responsible experience in solid waste operations providing work direction to others
• Three (3) years of increasingly-responsible experience in a customer service field resolving customer complaints and providing work direction to others

Responsibilities

• Assist in supervision of daily operations of solid waste collection and transfer activities; assist in developing, planning, organizing, scheduling and monitoring solid waste collection and transfer activities to ensure safe and efficient operations
• Investigate and resolve customer service and nuisance code complaints; educate customers on Tacoma Municipal code requirements and enforce compliance when necessary; contact and provide information to residential customers and local businesses regarding appropriate waste collection, disposal services and recycling practices and procedures; recommend service-level rate adjustments when necessary
• Develop and implement work schedules to assure efficient service; dispatch personnel, assign tasks and equipment
• Respond to solid waste fleet vehicle incidents, fluid spills and property damage; mitigate environmental impacts and oversee cleanup measures; conduct vehicle incident and spill investigations, prepare applicable reports
• Coordinate with drivers and fleet personnel to ensure that scheduled repairs and maintenance of assigned equipment are completed; conduct routine fleet vehicle, equipment and safety audits
• Supervise and evaluate the work of assigned personnel; develop and communicate expectations; provide coaching and feedback; facilitate required safety and operational training; conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings; perform disciplinary action as appropriate; prepare employee development objectives and conduct performance reviews
• Analyze customer data, route data, tonnages, waste types and collection methods to develop efficient collection routes; develop key performance indicators and prepare and maintain a variety of associated operational records and reports
• Promote and foster a culture focused on safety; work with Safety personnel to develop and maintain safety programs and procedures
• Operate a variety of office equipment and machines such as a computer, radio and telephone; operate a motor vehicle including pickup trucks as needed
• Perform related duties as assigned

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Customer service

Communication

Safety awareness

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience in solid waste operations or customer service

Job description

Are you a proactive, human-centered leader who excels at motivating teams, guiding operations, and delivering exceptional customer service? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where you help shape services that meet the diverse needs of the community? If so, this may be the opportunity you’ve been looking for!

The City of Tacoma is recruiting for a Solid Waste Route Supervisor in our Environment & Public Works Department. We are seeking candidates with strong leadership abilities, a collaborative mindset, and a proven track record of providing customer-focused services in a team-oriented setting. We recognize that leadership experience is gained in many ways and applicants with transferrable skills in supervision, coordination, or customer-focused work are encouraged to apply.

Our ideal candidate

• Situational Adaptability - Picks up on situational cues and adjusts in the moment. Readily adapts personal, interpersonal, and leadership behavior. Understands that different situations may call for different approaches.
• Builds Effective Teams - Forms teams with appropriate and diverse mix of styles, perspectives, and experience. Establishes common objectives and a shared mindset. Creates a feeling of belonging and strong team morale.
• Optimizes Work Processes - Identifies and creates the processes necessary to get work done. Seeks ways to improve processes, from small tweaks to complete reengineering.
• Self-Development - Shows personal commitment and takes action to continuously improve. Accepts assignments that broaden capabilities
• Communicates Effectively - Is effective in a variety of communication settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, or among diverse styles and position levels. Attentively listens and encourages open expression of diverse ideas and opinions.
• Decision Quality - Makes informeddecisions, even in the absence of complete information. Relies on a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment when making decisions.
• Directs Work - Provides clear direction and accountabilities. Delegates and distributes assignments and decisions appropriately. Monitors progress by maintaining open communication on work and results.
• Resourcefulness - Marshals resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done. Applies knowledge of internal structures, processes, and culture to resourcing efforts.
• Ensures Accountability - Takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures. Establishes clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results.
• Values Safety - Promotes a safe work culture and work environment.

In the Environment & Public Works Department we believe everything we do supports healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound, leaving a better Tacoma for all. The Focus on healthy neighborhoods and a Thriving Puget Sound defines the core values of the Environmental Services Department and our clear focus on: Customers, Employees and Operations with the three following statements:

• Customers- Partner with the community on customer-valued services to meet the diverse needs of Tacoma neighborhoods
• Employees- Foster safe culture built on trust, conversation and equity
• Operations- Operate using best practices and innovation to meet changing environmental and community needs.

HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS + THRIVING PUGET SOUND = A BETTER TACOMA

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in supervision of daily operations of solid waste collection and transfer activities; assist in developing, planning, organizing, scheduling and monitoring solid waste collection and transfer activities to ensure safe and efficient operations
• Investigate and resolve customer service and nuisance code complaints; educate customers on Tacoma Municipal code requirements and enforce compliance when necessary; contact and provide information to residential customers and local businesses regarding appropriate waste collection, disposal services and recycling practices and procedures; recommend service-level rate adjustments when necessary
• Develop and implement work schedules to assure efficient service; dispatch personnel, assign tasks and equipment
• Respond to solid waste fleet vehicle incidents, fluid spills and property damage; mitigate environmental impacts and oversee cleanup measures; conduct vehicle incident and spill investigations, prepare applicable reports
• Coordinate with drivers and fleet personnel to ensure that scheduled repairs and maintenance of assigned equipment are completed; conduct routine fleet vehicle, equipment and safety audits
• Supervise and evaluate the work of assigned personnel; develop and communicate expectations; provide coaching and feedback; facilitate required safety and operational training; conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings; perform disciplinary action as appropriate; prepare employee development objectives and conduct performance reviews
• Analyze customer data, route data, tonnages, waste types and collection methods to develop efficient collection routes; develop key performance indicators and prepare and maintain a variety of associated operational records and reports
• Promote and foster a culture focused on safety; work with Safety personnel to develop and maintain safety programs and procedures
• Operate a variety of office equipment and machines such as a computer, radio and telephone; operate a motor vehicle including pickup trucks as needed
• Perform related duties as assigned

An equivalent combination to: graduation from high school (or equivalent) AND:

Three (3) years of increasingly-responsible experience in solid waste operations providing work direction to others

OR

Three (3) years of increasingly-responsible experience in a customer service field resolving customer complaints and providing work direction to others

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Washington State driver's license at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter.
• Obtain First Aid certification and Flagger certification within six (6) months of appointment with maintenance thereafter.
• Obtain Asbestos Hazard emergency Response Act (AHERA) certification, at the expense of the Solid Waste Division, within one (1) year of appointment with maintenance thereafter.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of effective leadership principles and team supervision
• Understanding of customer service best practices and community-focused service delivery
• Familiarity with operational planning and coordination in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of communication strategies for guiding, motivating, and supporting staff
• Awareness of methods for evaluating service performance and implementing improvements
• Understanding of workplace safety practices and adherence to departmental standards
• General knowledge of City of Tacoma streets

SKILLS

• Ability to learn laws, regulations and rate schedules related to solid waste operations and apply knowledge to specific field problems
• Plan, coordinate and schedule the work of others
• Maintain a courteous and cooperative relationship with the general public and others
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Strong written and oral communication
• Basic computer skills, software applications, and radio procedures
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices

NOTE: Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it!

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Accommodations

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during this process, please contact Human Resources at [phone].

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $52.11 - $57.46

Annual Salary: $108,388.80 - $119,516.80

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma