Solid Waste Program Coordinator Job at Columbia County, OR in Saint Helens

Announcement# 2025-029

Closing Date: October 29, 2025

Salary: $6,106 to $7,550 per month

The SOLID WASTE PROGRAM COORDINATOR position is full-time, 40 hours, Civil Service, and Union represented.

Columbia County is looking for a creative, collaborative, and versatile coordinator to join our Waste Management team. The Public Works Department oversees a wide range of tasks associated with the county's public infrastructure. Divisions within the department include Road Maintenance, Engineering, and Solid Waste Management.

The Solid Waste Division plans, organizes, and directs the county's recycling, waste reduction, reuse, and household hazardous waste program. The Division also maintains, updates, and administers the county's 20-year Solid Waste Management Plan and its Solid Waste Ordinance. Solid waste collection franchises within the unincorporated area of the County are also overseen by the Division, which also operates the Columbia County Transfer Station for collection and transport of garbage to area landfills.

DUTIES: Perform a variety of duties to implement and administer the county's Solid Waste and Recycling program consistent with the county's Solid Waste Management Plan and ordinance in conjunction with the Public Works Director.

Plan, organize, and perform activities necessary to implement the county's Solid Waste Management Plan and ordinance. Coordinate program activities with cities.

Plan, organize, and carry out the county's Recycling and Waste Reduction/Reuse Program consistent with the State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requirements. Develop and implement programs for recycling, waste reduction and reuse, and proper household hazardous waste disposal education and promotion. Coordinate program activities with cities.

Coordinate the operation and maintenance of the Columbia County Transfer Station in accordance with the vendor contract.

Coordinate Sharps Exchange program.

Coordinate and administer Household Hazardous Waste collection events throughout Columbia County.

Coordinate review of solid waste rate adjustments. Monitor franchisee compliance with the rate policies, procedures, and rate schedules.

Monitor franchise holder activities to ensure compliance with state and local rules and regulations.

Perform targeted community outreach regarding waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.

Coordinate enforcement activities related to illegal dumping and environmental hazard complaints with the Code Compliance Specialist and the State Department of Environmental Quality.

Prepare and present written and verbal reports to the Director, Board of County Commissioners, Department of Environmental Quality, and other agencies and departments as required.

Administer and review contracts. Prepare and send out RFPs for equipment and services.

Provide staff assistance and support to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and Board of County Commissioners on solid waste and recycling matters. Respond to staff and residents with requests and questions regarding all the programs.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Equivalent to a four-year degree in a related field. Four years' of increasingly responsible experience in a related work area. Any satisfactory combination of experience and training, which demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted for the above requirements.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Education in environmental management or solid waste management systems preferred. Team player willing to work collaboratively toward shared goals and be open to diverse ideas and perspectives. Receive constructive feedback in a positive manner.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable under the county's liability policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY: Knowledge of environmental issues related to solid waste disposal. Knowledge of DEQ regulations, federal and state rules and regulations related to solid waste.

Skill in business software and Microsoft Office products. Attention to detail is a must.

Ability to:

• Organize, prioritize, and produce an accurate work product and meet deadlines.
• Express ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing. Use sound judgment.
• Adapt to change or new situations and openly acknowledge and work through conflict. Accept responsibility and be able to work well with ambiguity.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Act in such a manner as to maintain the confidentiality of the records and issues and other matters that may be encountered.
• Develop and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, county officials, and the general public.
• Enforce all laws, regulations, ordinances, and standards consistently to ensure compliance and to protect the public's health and safety.
• Multi-task, prioritize, and accomplish quickly and efficiently a large number of diverse tasks.
• Meet requests for information and task completion from a diverse clientele in a timely manner.

Join our team - Columbia County online application must be completed - Apply today!

www.ColumbiaCountyOR.gov