Solid Waste and Recycling Manager

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Solid Waste and Recycling Manager in the Public Works Department! In this role, you will have the opportunity to direct the Zero Waste Division and serve as the City’s expert in the solid waste and recycling field. You’ll administer a comprehensive solid waste management program that emphasizes waste reduction through the promotion of recycling, composting, and reuse and the expansion of the market for recycled material.

The Zero Waste Division incorporates a variety of services, including a recycling center for curbside collection, a buyback program, drop-off centers, a salvage operation, a plant debris recovery program, and residential and commercial collection of refuse. The Division also operates a refuse transfer station that processes 1000 tons annually and works closely with the City’s nonprofit partners at the Ecology Center and Community Conservation Centers.

The Division receives advice from the nine-member Zero Waste Commission, has more than 100 employees, and has an operational budget of approximately $47 million annually. The City is currently developing a Zero Waste Strategic Plan and advancing through environmental reviews of the Transfer Station Replacement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:
Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, engineering, business or public administration, or a closely related field and five (5) years of administrative managerial experience including planning, development, implementation, and management of programs and policies, with at least one (1) year of experience managing a waste collection or recycling program.

Additional progressively responsible management or program planning related experience may be substituted for the college requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Other requirements include being able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet the program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver’s license as well as a satisfactory driving record. Must be able to attend evening and weekend meetings.

In addition to the qualifications above, the ideal candidate will demonstrate an ability to continue and improve Zero Waste collections, be a flexible team builder who can communicate with diverse audiences, advise on Zero Waste policy, and be a champion of the City’s Zero Waste goal.

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications must be received by November 27, 2023 at 5:00 PM Pacific and must include a completed application and responses to supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.