Waste Services Assistant Director

Position Description

The Department of Waste Services seeks an Assistant Director-Operations who is skilled in leading fast‑paced operational units. The incumbent will be responsible for the front‑line delivery of services to meet the waste and recycling service needs of Nashville’s residents.

Waste Services is responsible for weekly curbside waste and every other week curbside recycling collection for over 151,000 customers in the urban services district as well as collection of over 200 public litter baskets in the downtown Nashville corridor. The division also operates four convenience centers where residents of Davidson County can bring waste, recycling, bulk items, food waste, household hazardous waste, and other items for recycling or disposal and eight recycling drop‑off locations for residents who do not qualify for curbside recycling collection.

Waste Services currently employs staff members working in collection, administration, customer service, education, landfill engineering, development review, and outreach.

• Supports the Director of the Department of Waste Services by leading the operations team, overseeing day‑to‑day collection and convenience services programs within the Department, including program management, operations, and performance accountability.
• Provides daily support to managers, setting short and long‑term goals, while enhancing collaboration across the department and within government, ensuring the delivery of quality services; anticipates and plans for future costs, personnel needs, fleet, and equipment needs, and unforeseen changes or emergencies.
• Establishes measurable collection and convenience performance standards consistent with the Department’s overall goals and objectives; works closely with the Director to establish priorities and strategic direction to enhance programs and services; provides weekly reports and regular operational updates to the Director, using a variety of metrics and progress reports to support informed management decisions.
• Plans, analyzes, and manages activities within operations, including working with managers on collection routes to achieve efficiency and distribute work equitably, while maintaining a high level of customer service; formulates plans for collection and convenience services for special events and customers with special collection needs.
• Oversees managers, assigns workload, and monitors performance; clearly and routinely communicates, leading employees in staff meetings, setting service and performance expectations, while ensuring accountability, safety and compliance with governmental policies, OSHA, and other standards and regulations.
• Communicates with Director, Administration, Council, and other entities regarding service initiatives and issues; works to address, resolve, and develop solutions on operational and service matters.

Bachelor’s Degree and seven (7) years of experience in waste services, public administration, environmental services, or a related field, including five (5) years of management experience.

• Additional experience may be considered in lieu of education (1:1 ratio)

Valid Driver’s License. Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.

Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078, all employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

• Experience with solid waste management, including collection and disposal techniques, recycling collection and marketing techniques, contract management, public relations, and research.
• Experience in planning, forecasting, and budgeting techniques.
• Experience with overseeing municipal projects from conception to completion.
• Knowledge of regulations, systems, and equipment used in waste collection and disposal.
• Knowledge of the current practices used in the areas of waste collection, landfill design, recycling services, and related systems.

• Full‑time…