The Environmental Services Department (ESD) ensures that all residents of the City of San Diego are provided with a clean, safe, and ecologically sound environment. The Department pursues waste management strategies that emphasize waste reduction and recycling, composting, and environmentally sound landfill management to meet the City’s long-term waste management needs, along with a focus on creating an environment free of litter and illegal dumping. The Department has provided refuse pickup for... more details
JOB INFORMATION
Under the general direction of the Department Director and Assistant Director, the Deputy Director is responsible for directing and coordinating the daily operations of the Collection Services Division of the Environmental Services Department, which provides weekly residential refuse and organics collection, biweekly curbside collection of recyclable commodities to approximately 285,000 households, and the collection and maintenance of street litter containers in business districts. Additionally, this role oversees the procurement, delivery, and maintenance of City-owned automated refuse, recycling, and greenery containers. The Deputy Director will primarily be responsible for directing and coordinating the operational and managerial activities of the Collection Services Division, ensuring the efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and resources, standardizing procedures to improve operating efficiencies, developing, supervising, and evaluating the work of direct reports, and addressing personnel matters, including recruitment, promotions, rewards & recognition, and discipline. A critical function of this position is coordinating with the Assistant Director on the implementation of People’s Ordinance Amendments (Measure B), including customer eligibility oversight, delivery of containers to new customers, and removal of containers from customers transitioning to private hauler service.
The position frequently interacts with and makes formal presentations to the City Council, Council Committees, the Mayor’s Office, and community groups; prepares for and participates in news conferences; responds to media inquiries; and works closely with other City departments and regulatory agencies.
The Division has approximately 250 full-time equivalent employees and an operating budget of over $90 million. The Deputy Director must manage all aspects of division operations and implement effective and innovative solutions and cost efficiencies to run a successful operation.
There's no such thing as a "perfect" candidate. The City is looking for exceptional people who want to make a positive impact through their work, serve their community proudly, and be excited to come to work every day. Studies have shown that people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every task listed in the job description. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications, and we encourage you to apply if you are interested.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Oversight of the residential refuse, organics, and recycling curbside collection by City forces to approximately 285,000 households, as well as the collection and maintenance of street litter containers in business districts and the procurement, delivery, and maintenance of City-owned automated refuse, recycling, and greenery containers.
Development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and performance standards for the Division.
Review and updating of work processes to ensure effectiveness.
Supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of direct reports and other technical and administrative staff.
Coordinating work with other City departments and/or concerned agencies.
Planning and implementing projects and tasks to ensure compliance with local, federal, and state regulations.
Representing the department in meetings with elected officials, agencies, and community groups.
Staff development, training, and maintenance.
Handling personnel matters within the Division.
Interacting with media.
Contributing work products and ideas to strategic planning of projects and programs.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, environmental science, engineering, biology, or a related field.
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory and/or management experience that demonstrates the ability to work in a dynamic environment with a large and diverse workforce.
Progressively responsible experience in or knowledge of solid waste management for an environmental services public agency or large organization.
Or any combination of education and experience demonstrating minimum qualifications.
Desirable Qualifications: The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
Wide-ranging knowledge of solid waste management operations.
Substantial, progressively responsible management experience that demonstrates the ability to lead and manage a major operating division.
Demonstrated ability to take initiative, prioritize for maximum effectiveness, explore many creative options, and use sound judgment in planning and managing large operations.
History of developing and leading high-performing teams.
Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to proactively identify and support creative and viable business solutions.
Proven ability in budget development and management.
Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning processes and goal-setting practices.
Demonstrated experience delivering superior customer service.
A commitment to public service, fiscal responsibility, and innovation in government.
Ability to balance competing interests in a regulatory and political environment.
Strong business and political acumen to work effectively with customers, stakeholders, elected officials, external businesses, and governmental agencies.
Interest in municipal activities and services and how they affect the community.
Highly ethical and objective, with the ability to navigate in a political environment without being political.
Ability to balance competing interests and build consensus in a highly political and diverse environment.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace.
Strong negotiating and analytical skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and leadership skills.
General knowledge of personnel, disciplinary, and other administrative policies and procedures.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the City’s discipline process, rewards & recognition program, and other administrative policies and procedures.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with tight time constraints.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, deadline-driven environment and to handle multiple competing projects simultaneously.
Ability to work a flexible schedule as job responsibilities require.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Benefits: The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:
Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
City-paid life insurance.
For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees (Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.
The Department: The Environmental Services Department (ESD) ensures that all residents of the City of San Diego are provided with a clean, safe, and ecologically sound environment. The Department pursues waste management strategies that emphasize waste reduction and recycling, composting, and environmentally sound landfill management to meet the City’s long-term waste management needs, along with a focus on creating an environment free of litter and illegal dumping. The Department has provided refuse pickup for more than 90 years and curbside recycling and yard waste collection for more than two decades. The Department has nearly 600 budgeted positions, a budget of approximately $182 million, and generates more than $85 million in revenue. Its business operations and responsibilities highly impact the citizens of San Diego. The Department consists of five Divisions: Clean SD, Collection Services, Disposal & Environmental Protection, Waste Reduction, and Support Services.
The Clean SD Division is responsible for managing the waste abatement and litter control components of the Clean SD Program, which includes enforcement of citywide solid waste codes, illegal dumping removal, waste abatements, planned curbside cleanups in neighborhoods, and sidewalk sanitization.
The Collection Services Division provides collection and disposal of residential refuse, collection and proper handling of recyclables and organic waste, and collection of litter from street litter containers in business districts. The Division consists of approximately 250 FTE and has an annual operating budget of approximately $90 million.
The Disposal & Environmental Protection Division operates the Miramar Landfill, an organic processing facility, and a household hazardous-waste transfer facility. The Division maintains eight closed landfills and eight inactive burn sites, ensures regulatory compliance of the City's underground fuel storage tanks, performs inspections and manages abatements of lead and asbestos in City facilities, and provides public education on lead and asbestos, and disposal services of household hazardous waste.
The Waste Reduction Division is responsible for managing the Non-Exclusive Solid Waste Collection Franchise system, waste diversion programs, zero waste planning, Senate Bill 1383 reporting and compliance, recycling education and technical assistance, and programs for residents and businesses.
The mission is: To reliably manage solid waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment.
The vision is: Sustainable communities for all. The City: With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.
The City’s Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan, is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan."
As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 11,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2024 operating and capital budget of approximately $5 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.
Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process: Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City’s pre-employment requirements and screening process webpage for additional information. Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.
Application Instructions: Kindly adhere to the instructions provided in the "Selection/Application Process" section below, we regret to inform you that online applications will not be considered. Selection/Application Process: To be considered for this position, you must submit the following items to the Human Resources Department at HumanResources@sandiego.gov 1) Resume; 2) Letter of Interest highlighting your relevant work experience and qualifications for this position; and 3) List of three professional references. NOTE(S):
Attachments must be submitted in either PDF or Word Document format.
Reference Recruitment Number U2502 in the Subject Line.
Candidates are encouraged to apply promptly as interviews and selection may begin upon receipt of resumes from qualified individuals.
Following the closing date, resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview. If you have any questions, please email the City’s Human Resources Department at HumanResources@sandiego.gov.
The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.
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