Director, Waste Management

The Role

Directs planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operations related to the Regional Waste Management Program.
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises the Manager of Operations; Manager of Engineering & Infrastructure and Manager of Waste Collection & Diversion. Indirectly supervises technical, engineering, financial, and operational unionized and non-unionized staff.
• Negotiates, on behalf of the Region, with contractors and service providers to ensure the provision of compliant, effective programs. Directs administration of contracts with consultants.
• Chairs multi-disciplinary project teams for high profile issues, involving staff, area municipal staff, Ministry representatives, and consultants. 
• Directs operations of the Division, ensuring efficient use of human, physical, and financial resources, per the corporate strategic plan. 
• Directs the creation of and compliance with operational and performance reporting policies, systems, and procedures. Directs the Division’s compliance with legislation and regulations.
• Directs operation of waste management facilities/sites, per Ministry environmental compliance approvals (ECAs). Manages safe, cost effective operation of waste disposal/diversion and environmental enforcement programs, waste hauling and processing contracts, centralized composting, roadside dumping, special and hazardous waste, environmental enforcement, and planning. Recommends policy, program and user fees changes as necessary.  
• Directs the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of active landfill sites. Directs the monitoring, after-use planning, and remediation of decommissioned sites.
• Directs the development, implementation, administration, and monitoring of waste collection services, contracts, performance measures, citizen satisfaction, and waste reduction and diversion programs and policies. Directs waste communication strategies to educate and engage citizens and maximize program participation. Is a contact for the media and escalated customer complaints.
• Directs the design and operation of divisional computerized systems (e.g., engineering modelling, financial, asset management, client service databases).
• Directs capital projects, ensuring compliance with standards, specifications, and legal requirements. Defends same up to and including with the Ministry.
• Directs short and long-range planning to identify and strategize for future program and facility needs. Prepares and presents related reports to Council.
• Directs/conducts open houses and public meetings (e.g., landfill expansion, operations). Makes related presentations, develops surveys, analyzes data, and prepares reports.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides advice to senior management, other engineering-related divisions, the CAO, Council, and Police Service.
• Represents the Division for emergency management and business continuity plans.
• Performs engineering and financial reviews for current and 10-year capital projects and programs.
• Directs the Division's capital program and operating budget (approximately $74M). Directs administration of contracts with consultants. Has delegated signing authority for payments within approved limits.
• Directs the safe operation and use of facilities and fleet equipment (e.g., trucks, tractors, scrapers, dozers, compactors), and maintenance service level agreements with corporate facilities and fleet.
• Negotiates approvals and funding, and exchanges technical and policy information with area municipal engineering and planning staff, Council, engineering and planning consultants, developers, and Ministry representatives.  
• Participates on inter-municipal groups, and comments on key reports and policies as requested by agencies. Provides information to the public, professionals, and politicians, as requested
• Participates in, or makes recommendations to, union/management bargaining negotiating teams to promote the interests of the Division and broader departmental and corporate objectives.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of waste management operations and administration, and engineering, operational, administrative, and financial planning, normally acquired through a Bachelor’s degree in a related program (e.g. civil/environmental engineering) plus significant, progressively responsible related experience in municipal waste management.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, and legislation (e.g., Environmental Assessment Act, health and safety, accessibility).
• Ability to make complex decisions regarding continuous improvement and program approaches, policies, and the Department’s mandate, involving interpretation of legislation, regulations, policies, procedures, and scientific data which carry health impact, and political, legal, and financial implications. Ability to develop solutions requiring quick responses (often with partial information) to handle crisis situations where the public may be at risk.
• Leadership, human relations, negotiation, and presentation skills to develop, motivate, direct, and support staff; present to the public, politicians, senior staff, and Ministries; defend priorities and balance objectives in a political environment; present issues and reports to Standing Committees and Council; represent the Division on committees; and participate as an effective team member.
• Understanding of multiple cultural frameworks, values and norms and a demonstrated flexible style when faced with dimensions of culture in order to be effective across cultural contexts. Understands the dynamics of cross-cultural and inclusion-related conflicts, tensions, misunderstandings, and opportunities. In addition, recognizes and addresses one’s filters, privileges, biases, and cultural preferences with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement in diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence. 
• Ability to lead transformative change in line with the vision and values of senior leadership while delivering on the expectations of an evolving workforce and regional residents. Is able to discern when to inquire, advocate, drive, or resolve more decisively.
• Ability to assess, interpret, and communicate documents, policies, and procedures, technical reports, and related literature. Ability to write technical reports to Council and Committee, and project reports, policies, correspondence, and other documents, requiring complex descriptions and explanations to Federal agencies, Provincial ministries, engineering and planning consultants, developers, and the public.
• Ability to synthesize unique and complex issues regarding engineering, economics, planning, environmental concerns, public perceptions and politics, and make inquiries to obtain information to form opinions, make decisions, and advise. Ability to monitor news media to keep current on local and national issues, policies, and developments relevant to the Division. 
• Ability to write technical reports to Standing Committees and Council, policies, reports, letters, and other documents requiring complex descriptions and explanations.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office and databases. 
• Ability to adjust schedule or work additional hours on weekends and evenings to respond to emergencies, Councillors, and for public open houses and information sessions.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region. 
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.