Waste Services Assistant Director-Finance

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Waste Services Assistant Director – Finance for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County provides strategic financial leadership, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, funding coordination, capital planning, and financial reporting for the Waste Services Department.

Role includes guidance on regulatory financial compliance, staff supervision, and coordination with public officials and stakeholders to communicate financial impacts and program needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, public administration, or related field.
• Seven years of experience in waste services, public administration, finance, accounting, or related field.
• Five+ years of management experience in financial operations within public sector or waste-management setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial planning for the department, including short- and long-range strategies.
• Manage annual operating and capital budgets; monitor variances.
• Perform complex financial analyses, cost-benefit studies, rate modeling, efficiency reviews.

Skills

Financial planning

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Leadership

Strategic oversight

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

The Waste Services Assistant Director – Finance supports the Waste Services Director by providing strategic financial leadership, operational oversight, and administrative direction for the financial functions of the Waste Services Department. This role assists with planning, organizing, and coordinating departmentwide activities, while leading financial management operations including budgeting, forecasting, funding coordination, capital planning, fee and contract analysis, financial reporting, and regulatory financial compliance. The incumbent oversees assigned divisions, supervises management staff, and ensures financial practices align with Metro Government policies and waste-management industry standards.

Waste Services is responsible for weekly curbside waste and every other week curbside recycling collection for over 151,000 customers in the urban services district as well as collection of over 200 public litter baskets in the downtown Nashville corridor. The division also operates four convenience centers where residents of Davidson County can bring waste, recycling, bulk items, food waste, household hazardous waste, and other items for recycling or disposal and eight drop-off recycling locations available to residents who do not qualify for curbside recycling collection. Waste Services currently employs staff members working in collection, administration, customer service, education, landfill engineering, development review, and outreac

• Leads financial planning activities, including development of short- and long-range financial strategies to support department goals and community needs.
• Assists in preparing, managing, and monitoring the annual operating and capital budgets for the department.
• Conducts complex financial analysis, including cost-benefit evaluations, usage studies, rate and fee modeling, and operational efficiency assessments.
• Oversees coordination of funding from Local, State, and Federal sources; assists with grant development, compliance, and reporting.
• Directs preparation of administrative, operational, and technical financial reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Recommends financial policies, procedures, and methods to strengthen controls, improve efficiency, and support program goals.
• Provides financial guidance for solid waste collection, disposal, landfill management, recycling programs, contracts, and capital projects.
• Preplans emergency financial operations and resource needs in coordination with department leaders and governmental agencies.
• Engages with public officials, community groups, and stakeholders to communicate financial impacts, program initiatives, and operational needs.
• Directs and evaluates activities within an assigned division or financial section.
• Oversees division-level budget administration and ensures expenditures align with approved funding and departmental priorities.
• Reviews and evaluates staff performance; provides coaching, development, and disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Interprets departmental rules, policies, and procedures for staff and ensures compliance with applicable financial regulations.
• Assigns and reviews work of management staff and supports continuous improvement of division operations.
• Direct supervision of division managers or supervisors, with indirect supervisory oversight of all employees within the division.
• Works under broad administrative guidance with latitude for independent decision-making under the direction of the Waste Services Director.

Bachelor’s Degree and seven (7) experience in waste services, public administration, environmental services, finance, accounting, or a related field, including 5 years of management experience in overseeing financial operations, budgeting, or administrative management in a public sector or waste-management setting.

*Additional experience in Finance Management or related areas may be considered in lieu of education* (1:1 ratio)

Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

• Experience in financial planning, forecasting, multi-year budgeting, and capital project funding.
• Experience in directing complex financial and operational activities in a large organization.
• Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) – Government Finance Officers Association, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) – Association of Government Accountants or related

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.

Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.