GENERAL MANAGER- SOLID WASTE

Summary:
The City of Lawrence Municipal Services & Operations Department is a full-service, front-line operational department. The General Manager of Solid Waste manages, supervises, and coordinates the operations and activities of the Solid Waste Division, including the collection and disposal of commercial and residential refuse, recycling, and yard waste. The position is responsible for resolving complex issues with residents and businesses; coordinates activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; and provides significant data analysis to support a complex service for the City of Lawrence. This position is responsible for managing the development and implementation of the program goals, objectives, policies, and priorities. Assists with promoting sustainability in all parts of the Solid Waste Division. The Solid Waste General Manager will be engaged in executing the Strategic Plan for the City of Lawrence and the MSO Department Action Plan.

This position is assigned to work on the following strategies of the City’s Strategic Plan Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods and Connected City Outcome Areas:
 

• Review and benchmark solid waste routes and service levels to improve system efficiencies.
• Prioritize and enhance timely, accurate, reliable, accessible, and transparent information, processes, and services to ensure a Connected City.
• Institute an asset management framework to achieve the desired level of service expectations for infrastructure and services.
• Reduce energy consumption by the City of Lawrence.
• Identify energy efficiency opportunities for City buildings.
• Provide safe environments and programs that promote and encourage the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of City employees.
• Build trust throughout all levels of the organization by encouraging feedback and creating open, two-way communication.

Responsibilities:

• Assume full management responsibility for all solid waste division services and activities, including residential and commercial solid waste collection and disposal, and recyclable materials collection, and all administrative and financial operations for the division.
• Participate in Development Review for site plans with PDS and assist engineers and planners on design criteria requirements.
• Develop, manage, and review the workplan for the division, establishing goals, performance measures for delivery of efficient, economical, sustainable, and quality service.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement and review with the Director; and implement improvements.
• Significant responsibility in the development and administration of the solid waste division annual budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, capital improvements, materials, and supplies; direct, monitor and approve expenditures; direct and implement adjustments as necessary during the budget year.
• Participate and lead negotiations associated with complex contracts, including applicable union, landfill, and Material Recovery Facility (MRF) negotiations. Works with MSO Director/Deputy Director in the development of the Douglas County Solid Waste Plan that is required by the State to be completed every five years and participates in the MRF audits.
• Ensures accurate and timely reporting of data to necessary internal and external partners. Provides timely information for reporting to the Commission, as well as supervisors.
• Keeps abreast of industry trends and innovations. Works to deploy new technologies and practices to improve working conditions and enjoyment.
• Ensure a culture of safety across the division through the adherence to safe work policies and procedures by all solid waste employees; ensure the adherence of the division's services and operations to KDHE, and other local, State and federal standards, ordinances, statutes, and guidelines.
• Ensure that the Operations Supervisor is able to implement and evaluate plans to resolve complex organizational and operational problems involving staff redeployment, coordination with other functions or service operations, interruptions to delivery of services and allocation of resources to meet internal and external demands.

Qualifications:
Any combination of knowledge and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in related area or seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in solid waste operations in a management capacity. Relevant areas include but are not limited to solid waste management and or public works administration. Management skills in operational activities and resource deployment.

The successful candidate must also have a valid driver's license and pass City background, physical, and drug screens.

Benefits Information:
Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance: Various dependent on coverage levels available; FREE Well Care Clinic through Lawrence Memorial Health;other wellness benefits/perks

Paid Time Off: 12 Vacation days, 12 Sick days accrued per year; 2 days Personal Leave, 9 Paid Holidays; and 12 weeks of paid Parental Leave
Retirement: Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)

Application review begins February 23, 2023. Position open until filled.