About this position
Under general supervision, the Solid Waste Collections Director is responsible for planning, directing, and managing all aspects of the City of Winston-Salem’s sanitation and recycling collection operations. The Solid Waste Collections Director reports to the Assistant City Manager and ensures the safe, efficient, and cost-effective collection of refuse, recycling, bulky items, yard waste and loose leaves, while implementing best practices in operational management, sustainability, and operational efficiency.<br><br>As the City moves toward a more integrated approach to waste management, this role will oversee the consolidation of sanitation and recycling collections into a single, unified department. With a focus on long-term strategy, resource optimization, and service enhancements, this position provides high-level leadership and direction for all collection programs, ensuring alignment with the City’s sustainability and operational goals.<br><br>Success in this role requires strategic leadership, critical thinking, and strong problem-solving skills to drive operational improvements and deliver high-quality service to city residents. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in implementing innovative solutions, enhancing efficiency, and managing budgets effectively, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and sustainability across all aspects of sanitation and recycling operations.<br><br><p style="color:inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0;" id="isPasted">For a quick look at what we are looking for, please review our <a href="https://www.cityofws.org/DocumentCenter/View/38849/SWCD-Recruitment-Brochure-2025" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href="https://www.cityofws.org/DocumentCenter/View/38849/SWCD-Recruitment-Brochure-2025"><strong>RECRUITMENT BROCHURE.</strong></a></p><br>
<ul><li>Leading and coordinating organizational restructure to consolidate sanitation and recycling programs, ensuring changes are implemented smoothly and effectively.</li><li>Oversees sanitation and recycling operations to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery.</li><li>Responsible for developing and managing sanitation and recycling staff, including assigning and supervising work, conducting performance evaluations, and providing guidance and support to department leadership</li><li>Create, modify, and improve routes to maximize density and improve efficiency.</li><li>Develops and enforces policies and procedures to reflect industry best practices while ensuring compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements.</li><li>Prepares and manages the departmental budget, including forecasting expenditures and making cost-saving recommendations.</li><li>Develops, implements, monitors, and revises short- and long-range goals and objectives for the department with continued focus on removing waste materials and promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling</li><li>Determines required vehicles, equipment, and staffing levels to support effective and efficient operations.</li><li>Coordinates with the Fleet Department to ensure vehicles and equipment remain in working order and are replaced and retired according to best practices.</li><li>Collaborates with Utilities staff on landfill, yard waste facilities and household hazardous waste programs. </li><li>Reviews work procedures and demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and increase efficiency.</li><li>Sets the strategy associated with operations, service delivery, and major capital purchases for the department </li><li>Responsible for the development and achievement of short and long term financial and operational objectives through a focus on efficiency and expense reduction.</li><li>Provides effective and professional leadership and direction, promotes positive employee morale and drives change throughout the department.</li><li>Develops and delivers reports and presentations to the City Council, community groups, and the general public</li><li>Interacts with customers to address and resolve issues and improve the overall customer experience, ensuring the sanitation and recycling department serves as a positive representative of the City</li><li>Creates a collaborative, communicative team environment and drives employee engagement </li><li>Builds and develops talent within the department, providing coaching and mentoring opportunities to promote advancement within the department and City</li><li>In partnership with the City’s Employee Safety division, ensures a safe and productive work environment and takes necessary actions to prevent accidents and injuries</li><li>Monitors state and federal regulatory and legislative changes and provides analysis of potential impact to the City;</li><li>Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.</li><li>In an emergency event or an officially declared State of Emergency, responds as directed to ensure the restoration of essential public services, facilities and infrastructure.</li></ul><br><br>
<strong>Education and Experience</strong><br><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt"><li>Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, business administration, public administration, or a related field.</li><li>Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive experience in sanitation and recycling operations, or related fields.</li><li>Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in a leadership or executive management role within a sanitation & recycling environment.</li></ul><strong>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities</strong><br><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt"><li>Thorough knowledge of principles, best practices, and industry standards related to waste management and recycling collection.</li><li>Knowledge of routing principles and logistics</li><li>Extensive experience in budget preparation, financial analysis, and cost control measures.</li><li>Knowledge of public procurement, contract negotiation, and vendor management.</li><li>Ability to analyze data, generate reports, and make data-driven decisions.</li><li>Strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise, mentor, and develop staff.</li><li>Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work with City officials, vendors, and the public.</li><li>Experience managing route management software, GPS tracking, fuel management systems, and vehicle telematics.</li><li>Is process-oriented and results-oriented in setting and pursuing strategic goals and objectives, demonstrating a strong commitment to organizational success </li><li>Demonstrated problem-solving, analytical, critical-thinking and decision-making skills.</li><li>Is collaborative; builds and works with teams.</li><li>Creative thinker who challenges conventional solutions.</li><li>Demonstrates and promotes ethical behavior.</li><li>Has strong leadership skills and proven judgment of talent, with an emphasis on hiring and developing high performance teams.</li></ul>
<strong>Licensing and Certifications</strong><br><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"><li>Valid U.S. Driver’s License</li><li>Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) certifications are preferred.</li></ul><strong>Physical Requirements</strong><br><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"><li>Work is principally sedentary but may involve some physical exertion and eyestrain from working with computers and other office equipment. </li><li>Work involves the normal risks and discomforts associated with an office environment. </li><li>Work requires participation at meetings during and outside regular work hours and working extended hours. </li><li>Work involves preparation of documents, communication with staff and customers located at other facilities. </li></ul><strong>Residency Requirements</strong><br><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"><li>Residency within 30 miles of Winston-Salem City Hall is required within 180 days of appointment</li></ul>
<ul><li>Leading and coordinating organizational restructure to consolidate sanitation and recycling programs, ensuring changes are implemented smoothly and effectively.</li><li>Oversees sanitation and recycling operations to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery.</li><li>Responsible for developing and managing sanitation and recycling staff, including assigning and supervising work, conducting performance evaluations, and providing guidance and support to department leadership</li><li>Create, modify, and improve routes to maximize density and improve efficiency.</li><li>Develops and enforces policies and procedures to reflect industry best practices while ensuring compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements.</li><li>Prepares and manages the departmental budget, including forecasting expenditures and making cost-saving recommendations.</li><li>Develops, implements, monitors, and revises short- and long-range goals and objectives for the department with continued focus on removing waste materials and promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling</li><li>Determines required vehicles, equipment, and staffing levels to support effective and efficient operations.</li><li>Coordinates with the Fleet Department to ensure vehicles and equipment remain in working order and are replaced and retired according to best practices.</li><li>Collaborates with Utilities staff on landfill, yard waste facilities and household hazardous waste programs. </li><li>Reviews work procedures and demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and increase efficiency.</li><li>Sets the strategy associated with operations, service delivery, and major capital purchases for the department </li><li>Responsible for the development and achievement of short and long term financial and operational objectives through a focus on efficiency and expense reduction.</li><li>Provides effective and professional leadership and direction, promotes positive employee morale and drives change throughout the department.</li><li>Develops and delivers reports and presentations to the City Council, community groups, and the general public</li><li>Interacts with customers to address and resolve issues and improve the overall customer experience, ensuring the sanitation and recycling department serves as a positive representative of the City</li><li>Creates a collaborative, communicative team environment and drives employee engagement </li><li>Builds and develops talent within the department, providing coaching and mentoring opportunities to promote advancement within the department and City</li><li>In partnership with the City’s Employee Safety division, ensures a safe and productive work environment and takes necessary actions to prevent accidents and injuries</li><li>Monitors state and federal regulatory and legislative changes and provides analysis of potential impact to the City;</li><li>Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.</li><li>In an emergency event or an officially declared State of Emergency, responds as directed to ensure the restoration of essential public services, facilities and infrastructure.</li></ul><br><br>
<strong>Education and Experience</strong><br><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt"><li>Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, business administration, public administration, or a related field.</li><li>Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive experience in sanitation and recycling operations, or related fields.</li><li>Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in a leadership or executive management role within a sanitation & recycling environment.</li></ul><strong>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities</strong><br><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt"><li>Thorough knowledge of principles, best practices, and industry standards related to waste management and recycling collection.</li><li>Knowledge of routing principles and logistics</li><li>Extensive experience in budget preparation, financial analysis, and cost control measures.</li><li>Knowledge of public procurement, contract negotiation, and vendor management.</li><li>Ability to analyze data, generate reports, and make data-driven decisions.</li><li>Strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise, mentor, and develop staff.</li><li>Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work with City officials, vendors, and the public.</li><li>Experience managing route management software, GPS tracking, fuel management systems, and vehicle telematics.</li><li>Is process-oriented and results-oriented in setting and pursuing strategic goals and objectives, demonstrating a strong commitment to organizational success </li><li>Demonstrated problem-solving, analytical, critical-thinking and decision-making skills.</li><li>Is collaborative; builds and works with teams.</li><li>Creative thinker who challenges conventional solutions.</li><li>Demonstrates and promotes ethical behavior.</li><li>Has strong leadership skills and proven judgment of talent, with an emphasis on hiring and developing high performance teams.</li></ul>
<strong>Licensing and Certifications</strong><br><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"><li>Valid U.S. Driver’s License</li><li>Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) certifications are preferred.</li></ul><strong>Physical Requirements</strong><br><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"><li>Work is principally sedentary but may involve some physical exertion and eyestrain from working with computers and other office equipment. </li><li>Work involves the normal risks and discomforts associated with an office environment. </li><li>Work requires participation at meetings during and outside regular work hours and working extended hours. </li><li>Work involves preparation of documents, communication with staff and customers located at other facilities. </li></ul><strong>Residency Requirements</strong><br><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"><li>Residency within 30 miles of Winston-Salem City Hall is required within 180 days of appointment</li></ul>
Salary Information
$142261 - $220420
Annual Salary