Solid Waste & Recycling Manager

Job Type: Regular Pay Range: $ - $ Salary Department:
Health and Human Services FLSA Exemption Status:
Exempt

• Effective 9/8/2026, this recruitment will open continuous until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received, and the posting may be closed at any time without further notice. Washington County reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.
• It is anticipated that the first initial application screening will start on 9/28/2026. This posting will remain open, and applications received after the initial screening date may be considered if needed.

Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling Division within the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is seeking an experienced, collaborative, forward-thinking and person-centered leader. The Solid Waste & Recycling Manager will join a dedicated group of professionals helping people contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient community through waste reduction and disposal programs. As evolving regulatory requirements, community expectations, and emerging technologies influence the waste materials management industry, this position will play a critical part in charting a clear, strategic path forward.

If you are motivated by public service, community impact, and leading a team with compassion and clarity, this role offers an exciting opportunity. Our work supports fair access to services for all communities and honors the various experiences of the people we serve. We strive to build an environment where staff feel respected, heard, and empowered to contribute fully, and we are looking for a leader who shares that commitment.

By combining thoughtful leadership with strong organizational systems and effective communication, you will help position our programs and our people for long term success.

• Provide leadership to a team of 16.
• Manage the regulatory responsibility for a $42 million garbage and recycling collection system and the division's consolidated operating budget of roughly $2.9 million.
• Ensure compliance and alignment with local, regional, and state requirements.
• Engage with staff at state, regional and city governments, private sector organizations, regulated entities, elected officials, and advisory committee members.
• Advise county leadership and, at times, city partners regarding local, regional, and statewide materials management strategies, mandates, and regulations.
• Build partnerships across cities, regional agencies, haulers, advisory boards, and elected officials.
• Represent the Solid Waste & Recycling Division at public meetings and on multi-agency and cross-departmental work groups.
• Foster a healthy internal culture through trust-building, team empowerment, psychological safety, and shared purpose.
• Develop a shared vision and strategic plan through collaborative process to lead the team into the future, anticipating needs, and challenges.
• Contribute to and support the overall mission of the County’s HHS leadership team and help advance department-wide priorities and initiatives.

Work Schedule:

May be eligible for a hybrid work schedule including remote work. Some evening or weekend work may be needed depending on the business needs.

Strong planning, communication and managerial skills through a trauma-informed lens while contributing to an established robust team culture. We are looking for a leadership style grounded in: emotional intelligence, self-awareness and approaching differences with humility and care active listening, collaborative problem-solving, and effective change management a steady presence with follow-through and reliability transparency and clear communication the ability to make people feel valued and supported respect for various experiences and perspectives Skills to foster an environment where staff feel comfortable sharing differing viewpoints, raising concerns, and engaging in constructive debate.

Ability to navigate difficult conversations, balance compassion with accountability, and help teams move through conflicts in healthy ways by being committed to consistent follow-up to reach solutions. Skills to navigate complex and highly visible political settings with diplomacy, tact, and responsiveness while fostering strong relationships with advisory committees, partner agencies, community organizations, and the Washington County Board of Commissioners. In depth knowledge of…