Assistant Director Solid Waste

Join the City of Chattanooga Team

Chattanooga, a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future—famously powered by the nation’s first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network.​  The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City,” the first of its kind in the United States.  

Our Organization

As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately ​2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:

• Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
• Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
• Quality of Life: Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.
• Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.
• Innovation: Leading-edge  smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.

Why Choose Chattanooga?

The City of Chattanooga’s workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees. .
• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
• ​The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground:  Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it.  As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim.  Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
• ​Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.
• Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
• Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.

In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.

Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you’d like to call Chattanooga home – or maybe you already do! – and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we’d love to talk to you.

GS13 Exempt 

Salary Range: $72,038 - $87,030 

Classification Summary

Incumbents in this classification are responsible for directing the activities and operations of the Solid Waste Division, including garbage, brush, trash collection, recycling, and landfill operations. Duties include establishing appropriate service and staffing levels; monitoring and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods; planning, directing, and coordinating divisional work plans; ensuring compliance with applicable codes, contracts, and regulations; and overseeing efficient resource and fiscal management. Work is performed under administrative review and requires a high degree of initiative, judgment, and independent decision-making.

Supervisory Responsibility for:

Solid Waste Manager, Landfill Manager, Solid Waste Coordinator, Recycling Coordinator

SERIES LEVEL:

The Assistant Solid Waste Director is a stand-alone classification.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

• Supervises lower-level division staff, including prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are properly trained; ensuring compliance with policies and procedures; maintaining a safe and healthy work environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
  
   
• Provides oversight and direction for the Solid Waste Division, including planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, strategic initiatives, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and service offerings.
  
   
• Ensures compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, regulations, codes, standards, and contractual requirements.
  
   
• Plans, directs, and coordinates the division’s work plan; assigns projects and areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; and meets with key staff to discuss and resolve operational issues.
  
   
• Organizes and coordinates the work of major divisional groups, aligning functions and resolving intra- and inter-departmental conflicts.
  
   
• Develops and manages operational and capital improvement budgets; prepares cost estimates and justifications for budget recommendations; monitors and controls expenditures; and coordinates with Fleet leadership regarding equipment maintenance and management.
  
   
• Directs and oversees projects from inception through completion; monitors progress to ensure timely delivery; and inspects work to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, standards, and specifications.
  
   
• Researches, analyzes, interprets, and evaluates ordinances, codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; ensures departmental compliance; and initiates corrective actions as necessary.
  
   
• Collaborates with City divisions and departments, Boards and Commissions, task forces, advisory groups, the general public, external agencies, contractors, attorneys, and other stakeholders to coordinate activities, exchange information, and resolve issues.
  
   
• Prepares, reviews, interprets, and analyzes complex departmental information including data, contracts, plans, work requests, technical publications, manuals, reports, and financial documentation; and makes recommendations based on findings.
  
   
• Responds to requests for information and assistance from employees, outside agencies, and the general public.
  
   
• Uses, carries, and responds to a City-issued or personal cell phone for business purposes as determined by assigned job duties and the Department Head.
  
   
• Maintains regular attendance and positive working relationships with staff, coworkers, managers, and the public.
  
   
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  This position is designated as essential during inclement weather or emergency situations and may be required to report to or remain at work during administrative closures as determined by the Department Head.

DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC DUTIES:

None.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

These knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field; four (3) years of experience in the administration of solid waste disposal and collection operations or a related area; and two (1) years of supervisory experience overseeing managerial and professional personnel. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid Driver’s License.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Knowledge of:
Leadership and management principles; public administration practices; public relations; budgeting and financial management principles; contract development and administration; strategic planning; program development and administration; project management; construction principles; negotiation principles; mathematical concepts; applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and policy and procedure development practices.

Skill in:
Monitoring and evaluating subordinate staff performance; prioritizing and assigning work; analyzing complex operational and management issues; developing and managing programs and projects; preparing and analyzing reports; reviewing financial and technical information; making fiscally sound decisions; adapting to changing operational requirements; interpreting and applying laws and regulations; negotiating contracts; managing budgets and contracts; handling multiple priorities simultaneously; and effective communication and interpersonal interaction with employees, officials, external agencies, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Positions in this class typically require fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Work is primarily performed in an office environment with occasional field visits.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Safety Sensitive: N
  
   
• Department of Transportation – CDL: N
  
   
• Child Sensitive: N
   

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.