HHW Operations Manager

Description

Position Summary

The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Operations Manager is responsible for the management and oversight of all operational activities and staff at the Hazardous Waste facility. The HHW Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations, facilities, equipment, and personnel, ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and health and safety programs  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Responsible for the overall Health and Safety of the household hazardous waste programs and staff, ensuring compliance with all safe work practices, policies and procedures, and always acting in a safe manner.  
• Determines work priorities, monitors work practices, promotes a team environment, fosters responsibility and accountability to maximize operating efficiencies, maintains budget, and ensures environmental compliance.  
• Effectively manages to improve performance and productivity by ensuring the highest standards of environmental safety and operational excellence are met.  
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and increase efficiencies while adhering to organizational systems and facility standard work procedures. 
• Manages the receiving, inspecting, sorting, and preparing for disposal of household hazardous waste from households and Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQG’s).   
• Reviews all Resource and Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) and state regulated activities, develops standard operating procedures to achieve compliance, maintains current knowledge of mandated regulations, and audits contractors for program compliance.  
• Assist in the preparation and adherence to the budget and capital expenditure planning   
• Ensures that all facility equipment is properly maintained and repaired, reviews equipment specifications, solicits bids, develops written maintenance procedures, and reviews maintenance documentation to assure completion.   
• Works with the EHS Coordinator & HHW Program Coordinator to provide the required EPA, OSHA, DOT and MWA Environmental Health and Safety training. 
• Responds to emergency and/or contingency actions such as hazardous waste spills, directs staff and secures assistance with outside agencies such as Haz-mat teams, fire departments, etc.  
• Maintains knowledge of the latest technological developments and provides subject matter expertise in these areas.? 
• Knowledge of site maintenance requirements and specialized systems support, while following proper maintenance procedures and practices. 
• Develop relationships with external organizations to ensure the organization mission of No Waste Resources is met.  

Environmental Stewardship – Demonstrates an understanding of Metro Waste Authority’s Environmental Management System (EMS). Guided by the EMS processes and procedures, we focus on six main areas aimed at increasing diversion and/or protecting the environment. These include: 

• Recycling 
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection 
• Organics Management 
• Water Quality Improvement 
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction 
• Environmental Education 

MWA Values - Demonstrates an understanding of Metro Waste Authority’s values and applies them to the position, and assigned responsibilities, as well as to all interactions with customers and co-workers. 

• Leadership – Set the example because everyone is a leader! 
• Integrity – Always do what is right! 
• Positivity – Bring our best to every task, every day and bring out the best in your colleagues! 
• Teamwork – Collaborate because we know that together we will address opportunities and challenges! 
• Innovation – Forge a new path and evolve! 

Competencies

• Acting as a Champion for Change - Challenges the status quo; encourages people to question existing methods, practices, and assumptions; supports people in their efforts to try new things 
• Assessing and Understanding People - Able to predict how different people are likely to act in different situations; has good insight into people's personality and work style; understands people's strengths and talents; knows what sort of tasks people are likely to do well and areas where they may struggle 
• Communication - can communicate with people of all backgrounds and ages and to convey a level of expertise that inspires the confidence of others. 
• Evaluate Alternatives - Able to evaluate alternatives through experimentation and pilot projects, test runs, decision matrices, problem analysis and synthesis, critical paths and other types of flow charts, and structured analytical procedures 
• Inspiring and Motivating Others - Ability to motivate employees in safety, regulatory compliance, and customer service functions.? 
• Keeping a Safe Environment - It is the employee’s responsibility to follow all safety policies and procedures and to notify the appropriate person(s) in the event they witness an unsafe activity.? 

Travel

This position requires frequent travel in and around the Des Moines metro area to support all Metro Waste Authority facilities. 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Bachelor’s degree Environmental science or related field.  
• 5-7 years of management experience.  
• 24-hour OSHA HAZWOPER Certification  
• Valid driver’s license.? 

Preferred Education & Experience

• 3 years’ experience in handling and processing hazardous waste products, is preferred.? 
• Knowledge of standard laboratory techniques and chemical characteristics necessary to make accurate identification and classification of hazardous waste materials.? 
• Knowledge of RCRA, OSHA, DOT, TSCA, FIFRA and EPA regulatory requirements for the handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.? 

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers; handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 600 pounds. Employee must be able stand, walk or drive for extended periods of time. The employee must also be fit to wear a respirator.  

Work Environment

This job operates in an office and warehouse environment. This role will experience ongoing exposure to toxic and corrosive agents such as pesticides, potentially explosive or other unknown risks from incoming materials, and odors from solvents and other chemical products. The employee will also be exposed to excessive heat in the summer, excessive cold in the winter and moving machinery such as a can crusher and forklift.   

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)  

• Bachelor’s degree Environmental science or related field.  
• 5-7 years of management experience.  
• 24-hour OSHA HAZWOPER Certification  
• Valid driver’s license.? 

Preferred Education & Experience

• 3 years’ experience in handling and processing hazardous waste products, is preferred.? 
• Knowledge of standard laboratory techniques and chemical characteristics necessary to make accurate identification and classification of hazardous waste materials.? 
• Knowledge of RCRA, OSHA, DOT, TSCA, FIFRA and EPA regulatory requirements for the handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.?