Are you passionate about waste reduction and recycling and taking meaningful action to fight the climate change impacts of waste disposal? Would you like to join an organization of enthusiastic and innovative professionals advancing the County’s environmental sustainability initiatives and partnerships?
The County of San Mateo's Sustainability Department seeks qualified candidates for the position of Sustainability Program Manager – Waste Reduction Special Districts. We are looking for candidates who possess excellent program management skills, who have a deep understanding of waste management and recycling service delivery to the community, and who are committed to implementing innovated solutions to ensure recyclables and organic materials are diverted from landfills. We are committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourage candidates from varied backgrounds to apply.
Under the general direction of the Director, the Sustainability Program Manager – Waste Reduction Special Districts will lead a team to ensure successful delivery of waste, organics, and recycling services to communities located in the County’s unincorporated special districts and unfranchised areas. This position will engage with communities on recycling education and events, will serve as the County’s regional liaison on waste reduction service delivery for the unincorporated areas, and will support development of innovate solutions to help achieve the region’s long-term waste reduction and recycling goals.
THE POSITION
This position leads the Waste Reduction - Special Districts team to oversee curbside waste services and related vendor contracts for the County unincorporated areas; works with residents, businesses, and others to promote and advance ways to reduce waste in the County’s unincorporated areas; and to increase diversion of recyclables, organics, and other items from the landfill. This position is also responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance with state recycling and waste diversion mandates, working to strategically plan for long-range financial sustainability of services, and serving as the regional liaison to the regional franchise coordination body, SBWMA, to represent the County.
As the Sustainability Program Manager – Waste Reduction Special Districts you will:
Manage the program by setting strategic direction; developing and managing the program budget; planning and establishing project priorities; assigning work to and professionally developing staff; developing and managing contracts; planning for long term program financial sustainability; and presenting to the Board of Supervisors on program matters.
Manage the delivery of curbside waste, recycling, and organics services and related vendor contracts for County Franchise Area (CFA) and County Services Area 8 (CSA-8) and liaise to the governing bodies on matters related to the franchise agreements, services, and rate setting.
Set the annual waste and recycling service rates for CFA and CSA-8 through a Prop 218 process and place the service charges on the CSA-8 tax roll.
Lead the implementation of SB 1383, the State’s organics recycling law, in the unincorporated areas to ensure successful implementation and compliance, conduct community education, and manage the non-exclusive franchise agreements.
Engage with residents, businesses, and others to promote and advance ways to reduce waste in the County’s unincorporated areas and increase diversion of recyclables, organics, and other items from the landfill.
Develop policies and laws to help fulfill the BOS commitments to waste reduction and to ensure compliance with state laws.
Work with County departments and external partners to reduce illegal dumping in unincorporated areas and to host community shred, e-waste, and litter pick up events.
Design and conduct community outreach and education programs on recycling and SB 1383 organics diversion requirements.
Serve as regional liaison and SBWMA Technical Advisory Committee member, contribute to long range planning for waste management infrastructure and innovative solutions, and support disaster debris planning and emergency response efforts.
Other duties as assigned.
The IDEAL CANDIDATE will have:
Demonstrated program management experience in setting strategic direction, delivering results-oriented programs, mentoring, and managing staff, and establishing and managing a multi-million-dollar budget to meet defined outcomes.
Experience managing and leading waste management and reduction programs and a strong understanding of solid waste management, recycling and composting, source reduction, public policy, or solid waste code enforcement.
Working knowledge of various state solid waste mandates including, but not limited to: SB 1383, AB 939, AB 1826, and AB 341.
Experience with administering franchise agreements, franchise fees and associated revenues, setting garbage rates and compliance with Proposition 218 requirements.
A high level of political astuteness and the ability to navigate sensitive issues with integrity and tact with elected officials, regional partners, and community leaders and members.
A highly strategic and collaborative approach to leadership.
A record of strong project management leading the development of work plans and managing resources to bring projects to successful completion.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively frame and communicate complex concepts for different audiences, orally and in writing.
Ability to build strategic partnerships within the organization, with regional partners, and with the community.
Experience with community problem resolution, policy development, and facilitating large public processes or projects with an active, highly engaged community.
A commitment to providing excellent customer service to the community, a passion for public service, and the ability to work with highly diverse communities in an effective and respectful manner.
A broad knowledge of trends and technical information on waste management and reduction strategies.
A minimum of eight years of increasingly responsible experience managing sustainability programs and staff, including direct and indirect supervision over professional, technical, support, contract, and volunteer staff.
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the follow:
Plan, administer, and coordinate the activities of assigned professional and technical staff involved in work of the Waste Reduction Special Districts team.
Administer, monitor, renew Franchise Agreements with haulers.
Oversee and administer waste franchise fees, set garbage rates and administer associated revenues, in compliance with Proposition 218 requirements.
Work closely with staff to develop strategic, program and project implementation plans for the Waste Reduction Special Districts team.
Plan, develop, and monitor the Waste Reduction Special Districts budget.
Effectively and regularly interface with waste haulers, landfill and transfer station operators, County department partners, and community members and organizations to engender support and collaboration for the team initiatives.
Assure compliance with federal, state, local and other pertinent mandates, laws, codes, rules, regulations, and agreements within assigned area.
Serve as a representative or assign representatives to serve on related boards, commissions, committees, and community groups.
Develop, negotiate, and monitor grants.
Prepare and review comprehensive reports, letters, and other written materials. Make public presentations, conduct outreach, training and/or public education as necessary.
Serve as primary subject matter expert in the assigned area to the County, external agencies, businesses, community groups and the public.
Develop and implement policies and procedures for Waste Reduction Special Districts programs.
Coordinate programs, projects and activities within the assigned area that cross over major areas of the section or across teams.
Apply an understanding of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impacts on underserved and underrepresented communities into project design and implementation to better serve all county residents.
Provide leadership and promote teamwork while managing sustainability programs and staff.
Manage and participate in personnel actions for the department including selection, performance planning, discipline, training. and development.
Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.
Knowledge of:
Supervisory principles and practices.
Principles and practices of program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Principles and practices of contract management.
Principles, best practices, and trends in solid waste management, specifically in organic waste, waste reduction, enforcement, and waste collection.
Pertinent laws, codes, and regulations.
Principles and practices of Solid Waste Franchise Agreements.
Principles and practices of developing public information programs and materials.
Records management and reporting practices.
Skill/Ability to:
Establish program priorities, effectively manage resources, and ensure successful program outcomes while mentoring and coaching junior staff.
Coordinate and manage complex projects involving competing interests and objectives, build multi-disciplinary project teams that do not include direct reports, and delegate and coordinate assignments.
Mentor staff in developing their project management skills.
Recruit, onboard, and manage staff, and inspire employee engagement.
Manage public processes.
Engage with local public interest groups.
Manage outside agencies, consultants, and vendors; coordinate, collaborate and facilitate meetings; and serve as the representative of the Department in meetings involving regional projects, policies, or procedures.
Facilitate the role of the County as a Governing Board for waste services of unincorporated Special District (North Fair Oaks).
Define organizational structure.
Maintain effective working relationships with regulatory agencies, municipalities, boards and commissions, state, and county officials and/or various special interest groups and the public.
Navigate public procurement and contracting process and apply best practices.
Work with others with a high degree of tact and courtesy, deal effectively with people in difficult or controversial situations, and work with diverse audiences.
Monitor progress through collecting qualitative and quantitative data.
Work with community-based organizations, including facilitation, outreach, and engagement, and working in communities with a focus on equity.
Communicate both written and orally across multiple disciplines (for example, engineering, construction, regulatory, community).
Manage several responsibilities simultaneously.
Write and/or administer grants.
ABOUT DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY
Formed in July 2014, the Sustainability Department strives to improve the sustainability of the County’s operations and the greater community through work in areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency, resource conservation, active transportation, climate resiliency, affordable housing, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Here at the Sustainability Department we:
Are passionate about protecting and saving the environment, while serving our community.
Are committed to delivering effective and outcome-oriented programs and services to the communities we serve.
Are compassionate and empathetic to the needs of our colleagues, community members, and stakeholders.
Are committed to increasing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion through our work.
Actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase equity in our programs.
Value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all.
Take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting and hiring.
We know work isn't only about what you do; it’s also about who you work for and with! The Sustainability Department has a fun and empowering work environment that supports a work-life balance, including:
Flexible, hybrid work schedule opportunities.
Wellness classes and resources to promote a healthy mind and body.
Generous benefits package.
Subsidy of up to $150 per month to cover the costs of public transit, vanpooling, carpooling, and bike and scooter share, or up to $480 per year for walking, biking, or carpooling to work.
At least 20 hours of training provided annually.
APPLICATION /EXAMINATION
Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential or Management extra-help/limited term, or SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
Application Materials
The following are required to be submitted:
Regular online employment application form and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire
Cover letter expressing interest in the position
Resume
Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply.
The examination process will consist of an application screening based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification.
All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given online, and applicants must participate at their own expense.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: May 20, 2024, by 11:59 PM
Application Screening: May 21-22, 2024
Civil Service Panel Interviews (virtual): May 28 and 29, 2024
Departmental/Finalist Interviews (in person): June 4 and/or 6, 2024
