Help wanted: Environmental Manager

Summary: Under general supervision, this position manages, plans, implements, and monitors solid waste, recycling, and household hazardous waste programs for the Public Works Department’s solid waste enterprise and air quality and stormwater programs. This includes, but isn’t limited to, contract-operated, city-owned landfill, field and customer service operations, air quality plans and stormwater management. Position also performs managerial work in the development of long-range plans and manages all financial, administrative, environmental compliance for those programs in accordance with established laws and ordinances.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Manages the preparation of long-range plans for the Solid Waste and Air Quality Division; conducts research; prepares surveys; interprets results for use in planning, evaluation, and decision-making; continually monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of services; assesses work load, reporting relationships, and opportunities for improvements within the services and facilities managed and maintained by the division.
Manages budgets for the division; conducts fiscal/economic impact studies and cost/benefit analyses to prepare budget projections; assists with developing annual operating and capital improvement budgets; monitors revenues for services; reviews and proposes fee structures for services; prepares and monitors the Solid Waste Enterprise operational and capital budgets as well as annual reports and presentations.
Develops and manages best management practices for the improvement of solid waste, recycling and household hazardous waste programs.
Develops and manages best management practices for the improvement of air quality and stormwater programs.
Oversees all contract administrative duties for the division, including negotiating and recommending contract terms, evaluating performance, and ensuring compliance to warranty and contract agreements.
Ensures and oversees compliance with all federal, state, and local ordinances and regulations pertaining to the collection and disposal of solid waste, household hazardous waste, and landfill operations, including overseeing the preparation and maintenance of compliance reports and records. Manages air and stormwater programs.
Oversees the Environmental Division’s public information strategies and programs; oversees the development of literature, public service announcements, materials and displays, and provides oversight of information intended for the public, media, schools and other community agencies.
Manages planning, organizing, and directing the implementation of activities involved in solid waste, household hazardous waste (HHW), and recycling.
Researches and responds to questions or problems raised by public works director, city council and city manager staff, other city departments, outside agencies, and the public.
Establishes and administers performance measurement and reporting systems; analyzes reporting data and evaluates performance; develops and implements procedures and/or process changes to improve performance; and maintains and operates a management information system for tracking of and charging for services.
Researches, responds to, and resolves procedural, operational issues or concerns from elected officials, city departments, outside agencies and the public.
Provides effective, professional leadership, positioning the city to meet current and future solid waste, air quality, and stormwater compliance needs through appropriate technologies and services.
Manages city’s compliance with Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) programs related to air quality and dust control.
Attends city council and other meetings to represent the department or division and maintains complete records and prepares comprehensive reports; makes formal presentations to the council, city management, and/or the public.
Works with citizen groups and implements public outreach programs to maximize landfill image to neighboring residents and the general public. Exhibits a service orientation toward customers and maintains productive working relationships.
Acts as city liaison to residential, industrial, and commercial waste generators and other solid waste agencies as well as air quality and stormwater concerns.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental studies, public administration, business administration, or related field.
Four years administrative experience in environmental management, including experience in a managerial capacity in solid waste, air quality, or stormwater.
Appropriate certification within six months of hire or promotion date in solid waste, air quality, or stormwater management; or
Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of federal, state, county, and local health and environmental codes relating to solid waste.
Knowledge of modern techniques and methods for solid waste and recycling collection and disposal operations, materials, methods, principles, practices and equipment necessary for efficient collection and disposal of refuse or recyclable material.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration, budgeting, and contracts administration.
Knowledge of research, analysis, and project management methods.
Ability to read and interpret technical and operational documents, manuals, maps, plans, and contracts.
Ability to review and evaluate plans and specifications for proposed new construction, system design, and operation changes.
Ability to make accurate arithmetical calculations.
Ability to analyze and interpret statistical and laboratory data and present findings in a clear and concise manner.
Ability to interpret, apply, and explain city, federal, state, and county solid waste and recycling laws and codes.
Ability to follow and apply federal, state and local statutes and regulations pertaining to the proper naming, handling, labeling, packaging, and shipping of hazardous waste.
Ability to identify hazardous and potentially hazardous situations.
Ability to develop and implement a divisional budget.
Ability to interpret and explain rules, regulations, and policies relating to solid waste programs.
Ability to prepare and present oral and written information, reports, and educational brochures and pamphlets and maintain program and performance records.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams and/or work groups and programs, bringing in expertise from other city departments to work on or resolve issues related to solid waste programs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, contracted agencies and workers, other employees, supervisory personnel, and the public.
Ability to operate a personal computer and related software; proficiency in preparing work orders, documents, spreadsheets, email, and timesheets; assists other staff with related questions and problems.
Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
Ability to operate a light duty pick-up truck or SUV.