Program Manager, Solid Waste and Diversion

The Program Manager for Solid Waste and Diversion at York Region is responsible for managing waste management programs, supervising staff, and ensuring service delivery efficiency. Duties include developing policies, monitoring budgets, and addressing customer inquiries. Qualifications include a degree in Environmental Studies or a related field, three years of relevant experience, and knowledge of solid waste management principles. The position is based in Newmarket, ON.
Job Description:
• POSITION PURPOSE

Reporting to the Manager, Sustainable Waste Management, is responsible for managing the development and implementation of waste management programs, policies and initiatives in accordance with the Integrated Waste Management Master Plan; supervising staff and contractors and delivery of programs related to the Region’s solid waste management services; assisting in developing annual business/work plans and in developing service plans and staffing proposals; providing input into budget and business plan development, policies and procedures; tracking expenditures, contractor billing practices and service delivery efficiency; and dealing with issues and complaints that arise from the day-to-day operation of programs.
• MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversees the development and delivery of services related to waste reduction, reuse and diversion, including development of new policies and programs.
- Develops and implements new policies, programs, and pilot projects, as determined through the Integrated Waste Management Master Plan, in coordination with Program Manager, Integrated Waste Management Strategy, local municipal partners, other Departments, residents and businesses, as required; evaluates and monitors performance of new initiatives and provides feedback to stakeholders to determine long term feasibility.
- Supervises staff, including recruitment, selection, hiring, scheduling, assigning and monitoring work, determining training and development needs, coaching and mentoring, conducting performance appraisals and determining/recommending disciplinary action up to and including dismissal in accordance with collective agreements, Regional policies and practices.
- Ensures that operating staff work in a safe manner and utilize all required health and safety equipment and protective devices and follow all measures and procedures as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and Regional Policies.
- Assists the Manager in business planning, preparing budgets and reviewing and monitoring expenditures.
- Provides input into budget and business plan development, policies and procedures.
- Develops requirements for special projects and/or investigations and supervises consultants and contractors engaged for studies and projects.
- Responds to escalated customer inquiries directly and resolves difficult or highly sensitive complaints either verbally or in writing; reviews customer inquiry data summaries from call centre and analyzes trends; works with Waste Operations staff and other stakeholders to recommend, implement and document operational improvements to improve service delivery based on customer inquiries.
- Assumes functions of the Manager in that person’s absence, as directed.
• QUALIFICATIONS*
- Successful completion of a University Degree in Environmental Studies/Science, Planning or related field or approved equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum three (3) years experience in an environmental field with progressive responsibilities and project management and minimum one (1) year of direct supervisory experience.
- Thorough knowledge of solid waste management principles and industry.
- Knowledge of Official Plan and Strategic Policies, Provincial and Federal legislation and policies influencing solid waste management.
- Leadership competencies including operating strategically, leveraging diversity and differences, customer focused, ensuring accountability, managing complex problems, financial management, employing interactive and effective communication, fostering collaborative relationships, cultivating engagement to drive vision and purpose, managing and developing talent, establishing and maintaining trust, displaying self-awareness, and demonstrating resiliency.
- Contemporary staff supervisory skills including knowledge of collective agreement administration and interpretation, labour relations principles and practices, and relevant employment legislation.