Solid Waste Contracts Manager (SA3)

To Apply, visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/jobs/3891854/solid-waste-contracts-manager-sa3

Are you interested in making a direct impact on how solid waste is managed in Seattle and helping the City strive towards its vision of Zero Waste?

Seattle Public Utilities Solid Waste Line of Business (SPU SWLOB) is recruiting for a motivated, strategic, and highly skilled strategic advisor to develop, procure and manage performance, and payment of over $115M per year of services, covering City-wide solid waste collection, processing, and disposal services, representing over 70% of the entire SWLOB’s budget.

 

The Solid Waste Contracts Manager will manage seven contracts that provide services to all 175,000+ SPU solid waste customers to help ensure materials are managed the best way to promote public health and improve the environment. The position will also be the lead preparing for and responding to solid waste service disruptions. This is a hands-on position that reports directly to the Deputy Director of Solid Waste and is responsible for supporting departmental goals and promoting diversity and race and social justice efforts.

 

About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a Community Centered Utility whose mission is to foster healthy people, environment, and economy by partnering with our community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and future generations. We deliver high quality, vital services, across four major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses. In addition, SPU provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities. Our customers depend on us to deliver high quality, reliable, and cost-conscious utility services and to achieve the highest benefits possible for every investment we make.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), please visit: 

• SPU Workplace Expectations (Download PDF reader)
• Strategic Business Plan

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

Why join us?

We know work isn't only about what you do it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including: 

• Hybrid work schedule opportunities
• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment 
• Generous benefits package  
• Free public transportation options 
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions 
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities 

 

Job Responsibilities

 

Following provides an overview of some responsibilities for this position:

 

Contract Management 

• Managing seven (7) major service contracts, covering all of Seattle’s contracted solid waste collection, processing for recyclables and organics, and disposal services for garbage via a long-haul contract. 
• Collaborating with others in Solid Waste to ensure contractor service delivery meets performance expectations. 
• Providing contract interpretation for financial and front-line staff. 
• Work across the Solid Waste LOB on strategy, planning, staffing, and implementation of new City-wide services with high-profile impacts across all City customers. 
• Coordinating equitable and transparent procurement processes, including solicitation of proposals, evaluations, and contract negotiations. 
• Coordinating technical, operational, financial, and background reviews, and legislative authorization. 
• Coordinating matrix solutions with cross-department and contractor staff to understand and resolve service problems, along with identifying and implementing improvements, coordinating with operations, field, compliance and inspection, and other staff. 
• Coordinate responses and actions related to internal and external audits regarding solid waste contracts and payments.

  

Solid Waste Contingency Planning 

• Collaborate with solid waste staff to develop and maintain solid waste contingency plans.
• Develop strategies to increase solid waste’s resiliency to limit service interruptions.
• Maintain existing and create new mutual aid agreements with agencies outside of the Solid Waste LOB.
• Serve as the lead for Solid Waste during service interruptions.

 

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

 

Qualifications

 

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years' progressively responsible experience in a senior professional position in a medium to large size, public utility, or equivalent experience in the solid waste industry.

 

Education: Bachelor's degree in business, economics, political science, government relations, environmental policy OR two (2) additional years of relevant experience.

 

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned above, a successful applicant will have an experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes.

 

Combinations of appropriate education, training, certification, and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability to the minimum education and experience requirements.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

 

Our ideal candidate should possess some of the following knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities:

• Additional education in the areas of legal studies, public policy, environmental law, political science, sustainability, or similar, with a significant contract or program management component, is preferred.
• Strong technical skills, including research and analysis techniques, large service contract drafting, development, and negotiation, pilot program design and evaluation, and policy analysis.
• Strong strategic and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Proven ability to align work tasks with department goals and shift gears to respond quickly to changing priorities.
• Adept at multitasking, including managing multiple contracts and programs simultaneously and able to produce high-quality results, on time and within budget.
• Ability to thrive in team environments and seek guidance and advice from other internal and external team members.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to summarize complex concepts in formats that are succinct and easily understood by lay audiences, including elected officials, and to translate ideas into clear, compelling proposals, presentations, and reports.
• Ability to work collaboratively and objectively with elected officials and their staff, SPU management, representatives from other government agencies, industry representatives, environmental groups, and those with other interests.
• Ability to represent the Solid Waste LOB and SPU in front of City Council, in meetings with the Mayor's Office, and at other City-wide or regional meetings.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups of stakeholders, employees, etc., in person, virtually, and over the telephone.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills, including proficiency with standard office computers software programs, such as MS Office Suite or Office 365 - Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

 

Additional Information

 

Application Requirement(s):

• A full City of Seattle online application
• Resume, & Cover letter addressing your knowledge and experience, related to this position.

 

Workplace Environment (*Telework Expectation):

Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment; however, due to the ongoing pandemic and Covid-19 state and local restrictions, hybrid telework/office/field assignment work will be available until at least the fall of 2022; consistent with HR guidelines, and as circumstances dictate. We continue to seek guidance from local public health agencies and will proceed accordingly with any necessary changed or needs regarding "workplace location" expectations.

 

Benefits: The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. 

 

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered­ family-members/most-employees-plans

 

Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

 

Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at our web page www.seattle.gov/util/.