Assistant Director Of Operations

Are you a dynamic leader that can drive process optimization, manage change initiatives, develop others, and think strategically? Are you a visionary leader, experienced in managing cross-functional teams, ensuring service delivery, and managing projects? Would you like an opportunity to lead one of the many teams dedicated to maintaining high-quality public services within a city that has been ranked one of the best places to live year over year?

If so, The City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services Department is seeking a highly effective, customer-centric, administratively and operationally sound executive-level leader for our Assistant Director position. No solid waste management experience? Don’t worry, we are looking for fast-learners with transferrable executive-level skills and experience that have the willingness and desire to fully embed themselves into the operation of the department and take a proactive and aggressive approach to learning on the job.

The Assistant Director of Operations must have a high-level of political savvy, temperance, situational and self-awareness to interact effectively with staff, customers, City Council and City management staff of diverse backgrounds and at all levels.

About the Role:

This position will be responsible for the oversight, management, and administration of the Operations Division within the Solid Waste Services Department. In this role, you will represent the department and City internally and externally, requiring extensive knowledge and awareness of the department, City, and industry specific activities, programs, and processes.

The Assistant Director of Operations supervises 3 mid-level operations supervisor positions, over 7 crew supervisors, 7 crew leaders, and approximately 160 Solid Waste Services operations employees. As the executive leader of the operations division, the Assistant Director of Operations works collaboratively with the Assistant Director of Administration to support and implement the goals and vision of the SWS Director and City leadership.

About Solid Waste Services – More Than What Meets the Eye!

The waste management and collection business has never been known for its glamour and allure, however, there is much more to its operation than what meets the eye. This multi-faceted industry is responsible for much more than just managing waste. As society evolves toward a more circular economy and landfill space concerns grow, more emphasis is placed on environmentally conscious and sustainable waste management. As a result, municipal solid waste programs play an integral role in the preservation and protection of the community’s natural resources and sustainable growth. Despite the stigma, the waste management and collection industry offer many of the same opportunities as others: advanced technology and innovation, GIS and routing, fleet management and logistics, budget management, capital improvement planning, outreach and communications, etc.

The City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services Department is responsible for the collection and processing of household garbage, recycling, and yard waste materials our 125,000+ valued customers. Currently, our curbside service provides weekly garbage, and bi-weekly recycling and yard waste collection. Additionally, our customers receive several specialized services such as bulky pickup, central business district collection, and multi-family recycling collection just to name a few.

In addition to our collection services, the Solid Waste Services Department provides its customers the unique benefit of local yard waste processing and an offering of high-quality compost and mulch for purchase. The Yard Waste Processing Center, processes materials collected through city curbside collection and surrounding areas for resale and reuse.

Solid Waste Services is also responsible for the post-closure maintenance of our closed landfill. Over the next few years, Solid Waste Services will work collaboratively with other City departments to convert our closed landfill into reusable space.

Our department is committed to providing high quality waste management, disposal, and recycling services for all our valued customers. As an essential and critical service, we take great pride in our role in the preservation and protection of the community’s natural resources and sustainable growth.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and management of the Operations Division within Solid Waste Services; strive to align service delivery, project and initiative outcomes, and work plans with City and departmental strategic plans, mission, and vision
• Act as the official departmental representative to other City departments, City Manager's Office, elected officials, and outside agencies; explain, justify, and defend department programs, policies, and activities; and resolve sensitive, significant, and controversial issues; make presentations to a variety of audiences; communicate with the media as needed
• Manage the resolution of highly visible, sensitive, and complex customer service issues; perform research and analysis of specialized and technical information;
• Collaborate with the Administrative Division in the coordination of programs to ensure service delivery, quality customer service, project and initiative outcomes, and work plans that require cross program coordination
• Coordinate and provide oversight of the implementation of division programs and activities. This division includes garbage, recycling, yard waste, and special collection services as well as oversight of the Yard Waste Facility and the closed landfill
• This position may serve in lieu of the director as required in the department.
• Manage projects and initiatives; work with various city partners, state, local, regional, and/or federal agencies regarding City projects and environmental compliance initiatives; identify opportunities to exercise positive environmental stewardship
• Monitor and manage division performance; monitor progress of service delivery and the efficient utilization of available services; identify areas of quality management to enhance productivity and foster accountability; oversee the administration technology to make data-driven decisions (GPS software/tracking and route management programs/Cityworks/etc.)
• Manage resource allocations to ensure service delivery, productivity and efficiency; evaluate fleet support to ensure a safe and serviceable fleet to support service delivery; ensure financial stewardship within the division; monitor and reduce waste (time, resources, etc.)
• Oversee and participate in the analysis, development, and administration of assigned budget; monitor and approve expenditures and budget compliance; and recommend adjustments. Oversee the execution of all professional contracts within the division.
• Negotiate and resolve issues highly sensitive cross departmental and/or external issues in a tactful and diplomatic manner; establish and maintain working relationships with a variety of citizens and interest groups
• Identify and resolve performance and process gaps; initiate and participate in policy development
• Provide direct staff supervision including conducting performance evaluations, payroll and timekeeping, coordinate training and hiring, and issue discipline and termination procedures if necessary

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in public administration or field directly related to assignment and eight years of progressively responsible related experience that includes significant management and supervisory experience.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Licensing/Certifications:

• Valid Driver’s license Class C