Summary of Duties

This employment opportunity will remain open until filled, with first review of applicants August 17, 2020.
Thurston County Public Works reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time.

The Thurston County Public Works Department, located in Olympia, Washington, is recruiting for a Solid Waste Manager.  This position is a direct report to the Public Works Director and plays a key role serving on the Department’s Leadership Team.  We are seeking a proven professional with a detailed work history in Solid Waste who will be able to support the County’s mission to create a community that promotes health, commerce, and environmental protection with transparency and accountability by:
  1. Planning, developing, and maintaining solid waste infrastructure and services;
  2. Providing leadership in environmental stewardship by meeting regulatory requirements and making use of best technologies for solid waste operations, and
  3. Strategically managing the allocation of resources to achieve customer and community expectations.

Responsibilities include the management and administration for the County’s Transfer Station and long-haul contract; and maintenance of all environmental facilities at the Solid Waste & Recovery Center, located in Hawks Prairie.

Other responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
  • Overseeing the development, revision, and countywide agreement of the operating plans including the Solid Waste Comprehensive Plan and Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) through the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC), and the Board of County Commissioners.
  • Managing the staff of the Solid Waste Division including evaluation, supervision, and discipline.  Leading and organizing recruitment of staff.  Planning and assisting in the organization of Division work plans.  Developing performance standards, providing training and coaching, monitoring progress and evaluating employee performance standards, including programs, policies, and procedures.
  • Managing the on-going maintenance and operations of the County’s closed landfill environmental control systems including landfill gas migration control facilities, ground water monitoring, leachate pre-treatment, and storm water control system facilities.
  • Overseeing tollhouse (i.e., scale house) operations at the Hawks Prairie Solid Waste & Recovery Center, rural drop-box sites and a household hazardous waste facility.
  • Preparing and managing contracts for services and reviewing contractor performance and issuing solutions.

Distinguishing Features
The Solid Waste Manager classification is specific to the Public Works Department, is responsible for solid waste facilities, and is the subject matter expert on solid waste issues.  The Solid Waste Manager has a high degree of responsibility and requires independent judgment, discretion and visibility for administration of a major sector of the Department’s work program.

Why you’ll love it here
You’ll enjoy a high quality of life here in Olympia. We are one of the fastest growing areas in Washington State and the nation, housing is more affordable than Seattle or Portland, and our innovative schools are highly rated.  Locals enjoy hiking, kayaking, biking, fishing, as well as great local food, coffee, and microbreweries.  You’ll be only an hour or two away from Seattle, Portland, and some of the most breathtaking scenery the Pacific Northwest has to offer–including sandy ocean beaches, powder-filled ski resorts, old growth forests, and alpine meadows. 

Our County is home to a unique blend of industries, including state government, health care, retail, military, education, construction, farming, fishing, and logging. You’ll enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family, as well as generous leave programs.
 
**For a refined look at this position, click HERE (Download PDF reader) to see our unique representation**

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in an environmental field, public administration or related field.
  • Four years progressive experience in solid waste, contract management, community relations and resource protection, with at least three years of supervisory experience.
  • Ability to use a personal computer and applicable software packages to perform essential job functions.
  • Current Washington State Driver’s License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.

Desired Skills

Our ideal candidate will be a person who exemplifies the following traits and skills:
  • Strong personal motivation and drive – an energetic and committed self-starter.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, associates, subordinates, employees of outside agencies, and with the public.
  • A dynamic leader who motivates others with exceptional team-building and performance leadership skills.
  • High-performing customer service and conflict management skill sets and the ability to communicate complex ideas or project issues in a clear, comprehensive, effective and professional manner, both orally and in writing.

Other Position Related Information


Applicants must submit all of the following in order to be considered for this position:
  • Application
  • Letter of Interest
  • Resume


Questions about this Position?  The contact person for this recruitment is Jennifer Walker, Public Works Director, 360.867.2271.  

This position is:

  • Not represented by a Union
  • Eligible for benefits
  • Not eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)