Solid Waste Management Program Manager

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) is seeking a qualified individual to serve as a Solid Waste Management Program Manager. This person will be responsible for performing complex professional and administrative duties related to the Solid Waste Management District’s plans and programs to address the region’s waste diversion challenges.

ABOUT US
MARC, the association of local governments and metropolitan planning organization for the bistate Kansas City region, promotes and supports cooperation on regional issues, including transportation, the environment, our workforce and economy, aging services, community development, quality early learning, public safety communications and emergency services. MARC has a collaborative work environment with a culture based on integrity, innovation, diversity and inclusion, excellence in performance and service leadership.

ABOUT THIS POSITION
This is a program manager role that performs complex professional and administrative duties related to the Solid Waste Management District’s plans and programs to address the region’s waste diversion challenges. The position has direct interaction with government officials across levels of government, business and industry representatives, environmental advocacy groups, vendors, and the public. The position requires excellent planning and communication skills.

What you’ll do
Planning and Management

• Serve as District Planner to the five-county Solid Waste Management District, including development of long-range strategic plans, short-range program/project plans, and budgets to guide the district’s work.
• Provide leadership support for a policy and management board, including work with an executive board in outlining policy direction for the district, engaging local officials, responding to legislative and other policy issues, and ensuring sound decision-making and oversight for the district’s operations.
• Oversee the administration of an annual grant program, Household Hazardous Waste program implementation, public outreach campaigns, development of regional and local solid waste management plans, and research and analysis.
• Convene and support district task forces and committees.
• Oversee financial and program management of the SWMD. The 2023 budget is approximately $1.9 million, including state funds and local government fees for services.
• Act as regional and statewide liaison on solid waste policy development and collaborative efforts to help the district success in its waste reduction initiatives.
• Facilitate research and tracking of regional and national solid waste trends, best management practices and emerging technologies to assist local governments.

SWMD Outreach & Technical Assistance

• Support district programs and activities to expand waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and market development.
• Lead efforts to raise community awareness about solid waste issues through discussions, presentations, technical assistance and other means of community engagement.
• Integrate solid waste management issues with other environmental issues facing the metropolitan region using sustainability-oriented, systems-based approaches.

SWMD Team Leader

• Supervise and provide direction to two solid waste planning and outreach professionals and one intern.

Leadership & Professional Development

• Serve as MARC’s lead spokesperson on solid waste management waste reduction and recycling issues.
• Build strong relationships with local and state government officials, nonprofit organizations, and private industry representatives.
• Participate in and provide leadership to statewide legislative, planning and outreach efforts.

ABOUT YOU
Skills you’ll need

• Knowledge of environmental and solid waste management issues and policies.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills; strong group facilitation skills.
• Ability to deal with diverse constituencies.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Thoroughness and attention to detail, and ability to handle multiple demands.
• An understanding of the legislative process and state statutes is preferred.
• Must be knowledgeable, articulate, and passionate about the issues of solid waste management and recycling and able to engage public and private sector representatives to advance the region’s work in this field.

Basic requirements

• Requires a bachelor's degree in environmental policy and management, public administration, urban planning, engineering, or a related field with a minimum of six years of successful and progressively responsible related work experience.
• A master’s degree is strongly preferred.
• Experience with public policy development, planning and supervision of professional staff preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS
This position requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate phones, computers, and other office equipment and the ability to sit and to use a computer for significant periods of time. Alternates between sitting, standing, and walking as needed. This person must speak clearly to accurately to convey information. Generally good working conditions with little or no exposure to extremes in noises, temperature. Little or no safety or health hazards. Minimal lifting. There is occasional regional travel by motor vehicle.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
Starting salary for this position is from $66,756 to $90,480 per year, depending upon qualifications. MARC offers an attractive team-oriented work environment along with a competitive fringe benefit package. MARC offers employees the flexibility to work remotely for up to two days per work week.

HOW TO APPLY
To apply, complete our online application form and attach your cover letter and resume. For more information, visit marc.org/jobs. 

MARC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Note for applicants:  Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they check all the boxes in a job description.  We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. If you think you have the skills for the job, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of the listed qualifications.