Assistant Director of Solid Waste Job at Homestead, City of (FL) in Homestead

The Future Lives Here! Starting in April 2026, the City will join the Florida Retirement System (FRS). This means expanded retirement benefits and stronger financial security for our employees.

General Function

This is an executive position which reports to the Director of Solid Waste. An incumbent in this position serves in a senior leadership role to support the Department Director through long-term strategic planning and oversight of the effective delivery of waste collection services to residents. An incumbent in this position must exercise excellent judgment and possess excellent analytical skills with thorough knowledge of overseeing all aspects of solid waste operations. A key focus of this role is the administration and enforcement of the Solid Waste Franchisee Management Agreement, ensuring service providers comply with contractual, regulatory, environmental, and operational requirements. Assists in directing, planning, and implementing policies and activities of the Department of Solid Waste to ensure seamless operations, achieve objectives, and increase productivity. An incumbent in this classification plays a key role in change management, assists in the formulation and enforcement of policies and procedures affecting the department's service delivery, as well as fiscal administration.

Reports To

Director of Solid Waste
Assistant City Manager

Supervisory Responsibilities

Solid Waste Staff

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees all commercial and residential services for the Solid Waste Department, including assigned personnel, equipment, and other resources; participates in formulation and monitoring of the budget; responds to and resolves customer complaints; conducts staff meetings to discuss program goals, measure performance and needs, and to provide in-service training.
• Manage franchise hauler operations for compliance with contract terms, service standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Administers franchise agreements, including contract renewals, amendments, and enforcement actions.
• Conducts regular audits and reviews of hauler performance, customer service metrics, and financial reporting. Ensure timely submission of required hauler reports and verify data accuracy.
• Leads negotiations for contract amendments, renewals, penalties, or corrective actions when needed.
• Ensures franchisee operations meet service‑level agreements, environmental standards, and safety protocols.
• Coordination and regulation of franchisees, regulatory bodies, internal departments, and community stakeholders to ensure effective waste collection, diversion, recycling, and disposal services consistent with environmental standards and organizational goals.
• Coordinates solid waste collection for commercial and residential customers; reviews and analyzes commercial or residential collection routes, pick‑up locations, types of services provided, and other data; designs and regularly balances routes for maximum efficiency; analyzes data and establishes new procedures for commercial and bulk service.
• Organizes solid waste transfer station operations for residential customers; ensures compliance with Florida Department of Environmental Protection and other applicable agencies, types of services provided; designs and regularly balances operations for maximum efficiency; analyzes and establishes new procedures for municipal solid waste, hazardous waste, construction debris, and other services.
• Manages commercial and residential recycling program; implements programs designed to heighten business or homeowner awareness and promote recycling; assesses performance of the commercial or residential recycling program.
• Coordinates with Fleet division regarding preventative maintenance and repair of division vehicles and of supporting equipment as needed; monitors use and condition of equipment; prepares replacement plans for maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Develops departmental policies and procedures; reviews personnel actions for compliance throughout the organization; enforces adherence to the aforementioned.
• Reviewing and creating policies and standard operating procedures (SOP).
• Interprets and implements State and Federal regulatory standards concerning solid waste disposal, municipal recycling operations, horticulture, and litter control; manages and resolves all code issues pertaining to the Solid Waste department. Leading the sanitation code enforcement efforts by studying and analyzing operational data.
• Coordinates clean‑up efforts with other departments and event coordinating companies for City sanctioned and non‑City sanctioned special events.
• Assisting with educational programs on source reduction and recycling initiatives; ensuring the department promotes initiatives via a strong social media presence.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the City’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Conducts high level analysis of the daily operations of department to identify inefficiencies and implement solutions; providing oversight of disposal sites; managing special events; overseeing all safety and accident prevention programs; conducting strategic planning and executing strategic initiatives; providing subordinates with tools to implement the department's strategic plan and to assist with exceeding performance measures.
• Assisting in the management and implementation of the City's Debris Management Plan; reporting to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as a representative of the Solid Waste Department, as required.
• Member of Senior Management Team; attends Council meetings, and other City and interdepartmental meetings, as needed.
• Representing the Director and department in a variety of meetings, including public forums; making oral, visual, and written presentations as needed; coordinating responses to public complaints and inquiries.
• Developing the department’s budget; assisting in the preparation of the departmental budget; effectively coordinating departmental purchasing functions; overseeing the collection and financial reconciliation of annual fees, including fees from private haulers, as well as revenues generated through code compliance efforts.
• Performs related or other duties as required.

All of the above information is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. This description is not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Type of Appointment/Work Hours

• Full‑time/Regular in‑person position.
• Standard workweek, which is forty (40) hours of work per week consisting of five (5) days of eight (8) hours per day. The workday may be varied for the efficient delivery of public service.
• Will be required to work other than the standard workweek on occasion, including evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Will be required to work occasional overtime or shift assignments, if applicable.
• Designated as essential personnel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from a college or university in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Business Administration or other related field required. Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional administrative or higher‑level experience required, three years of which must be in a supervisory capacity. Five years of municipal experience is preferred.
• Excellent working knowledge of solid waste collection, recycling and disposal practices; occupational hazards of solid waste operations and safety practices and methods of promoting safety among solid waste staff; current developments, literature and sources of information relating to the solid waste industry.
• Extensive knowledge of non‑exclusive solid waste franchise agreements.
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Access); experience with Naviline governmental software is desirable.
• Thorough knowledge of pertinent laws, ordinances, rules and departmental policies and procedures as are related to area of responsibility.
• Considerable knowledge in the application of accounting and financial principals.
• Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of subordinate personnel.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, supervisors and employees throughout the City.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing, with employees, vendors, and the public.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and solve complex problems in making decisions in accordance with ordinances, rules, regulations, procedures, and policies.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Must pass background screening process.

Physical and Environmental Demands or Conditions

The physical and environmental demands for this position have been listed on the last page of this description. Physical and environmental demands must be met to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.

Core Competencies

• Judgment – Sound decisions based on fact; uses logic to solve problems.
• Quality of Work – Performs work thoroughly, accurately, and professionally.
• Reliability – Timely and consistently completes assigned work; consistently reports to work and is punctual.
• Safety – Committed to ensuring a safe environment and complies with applicable safety standards.
• Technical Capability – Applies knowledge to identify issues and works to develop skills; demonstrates knowledge of techniques, skills, and equipment.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

• The employee must successfully pass a background screening process and comply with the City’s Drug‑Free Workplace policy.
• The City will also verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired so the proper completion of Form I‑9 is required, which includes the employee providing documents evidencing identity and employment authorization.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Qualifying individuals with disabilities may be provided reasonable accommodations to enable them to perform the essential functions.

Veteran’s Preference Policy

In accordance with Florida Statute 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A‑7, the City of Homestead complies with Florida law by providing Veterans' Preference in hiring. Qualified applicants, including veterans, spouses, widows/widowers, parents of service members, and current reserve or National Guard members, may receive hiring priority if they meet minimum qualifications and can perform the duties required. Veterans’ Preference includes additional points on exams, prioritized placement on employment lists, and education waivers for certain qualified individuals. This preference ensures eligible candidates are considered fairly at all stages of the hiring process. For questions, contact the Human Resources Department.