Solid Waste Lead

About HDR

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. We foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, constantly asking ourselves:
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Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We are seeking a candidate who will lead the development and implementation of waste business strategies for our Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Delaware Waste Sector. Reporting to the PA/OH/WV/DE Resources Business Group Manager, the candidate will advance the waste practice through solid waste‑specific service lines (e.g., facilities, landfills, organics, energy from waste, planning, sustainability, etc.). The role requires familiarity and experience with engineering, project management, project pursuits, and client relationship management for projects focused on municipal solid waste (MSW), waste diversion/sustainability, and solid waste planning.

The Solid Waste Lead will function as a client manager and project manager on mid‑size to large projects, demonstrating a history of progressive experience effectively leading similar‑scale projects. The candidate will assist team leadership in sustaining and growing client relationships and contribute to overall business development opportunities.

• Plan, direct, and monitor all aspects of multidisciplinary projects or medium‑size projects with high strategic complexity, typically involving a large project staff.
• Establish client relations and participate in business development, marketing, contractual, design and production meetings.
• Coordinate staffing and workload through entire project development to complete documents on schedule.
• Implement QA/QC procedures.
• Work on a wide variety of MSW, planning, or facilities related projects including but not limited to landfills, compost facilities, transfer stations, material recovery facilities, solid waste management plans, sustainability plans, and organics facilities.
• Prepare project deliverables with the support from HDR’s national practice leads: strategic planning, feasibility studies, waste management plans, engineering design reports, construction drawings, technical specifications, cost estimates and construction schedules.
• Participate in meetings with clients and regulatory agencies to resolve technical issues and negotiate compliance actions.
• Serve as a consultant and supervisor of waste management projects as needed.
• Work independently on technical tasks involving data analysis, interpreting results, and preparing reports, plans and specifications.
• Delegate and supervise junior waste staff on waste projects and staff of professionals and technicians.
• Train and mentor personnel as established by strategic plans.

• 7 years experience in waste management/design, civil site engineering, or related fields.
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Public Policy, Environmental/Civil Engineering, or related sciences.
• Demonstrated understanding of client relationship management and experience interacting directly with clients.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365; familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D is a plus.
• Detail‑oriented, a team player with strong communication, writing, analytical, organizational, and time‑management skills.
• Experience in client marketing and proposal development.
• Experience in project development and execution in both public and private sectors.
• Proven leadership and project‑management skills.
• Experience in the waste industry.
• Experience mentoring junior staff.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 7 years experience.
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to…