Solid Waste and Recycling Manager

The City of Paso Robles is seeking a Solid Waste and Recycling Manager to lead and innovate the Citys solid waste programs within the Utilities Department. This high-impact role drives regulatory compliance operational improvements at the Paso Robles Landfill and community recycling initiatives while serving as the Citys expert on integrated waste programs.

The position involves complex politically sensitive work that demands strategic thinking sound judgment and strong community awareness. The Solid Waste and Recycling Manager will cultivate key relationships with regulatory agencies service providers local businesses and community organizations while developing creative programs to expand recycling and materials re-use.

Were looking for a self-motivated results-oriented professional with strong organizational analytical and project management skills who can communicate complex information clearly. This is your chance to make a real difference in the community and the environment while shaping the future of solid waste management in Paso Robles.

Today Paso Robles is best known as a premier wine region home to over 200 wineries producing world-class Zinfandels Cabernet Sauvignons and Rhône varietals. But wine is just the beginning. The city boasts a vibrant downtown filled with boutique shopping award-winning restaurants and a bourgeoning local arts scene. Cultural highlights include the Paso Robles Wine Festival California Mid-State Fair and a variety of community events that bring residents together year-round. A wide array of housing options good schools a welcoming business environment and proximity to outdoor destinations make it an ideal place to live and work. Whether youre a young professional a growing family or someone looking to make a lifestyle change the City of Paso Robles offers the perfect balance of opportunity community and California charm.

The Organization

The City of Paso Robles was incorporated in 1889 as a general law city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. As of January 1 2025 the Citys population has grown to approximately 31061 reflecting consistent growth over recent years as more residents are drawn to the Citys high quality of life strong community identity and comprehensive municipal services.

The City is a full-service municipality meaning it provides a wide range of essential public services directly to its residents. These include police and fire protection emergency medical response water and wastewater utilities parks and recreation planning and development services public works and community enrichment programs. The City is committed to delivering responsive effective and efficient services that enhance the well-being of its residents and support a safe sustainable and vibrant community.

The governing body consists of a five-member City Council: the Mayor elected at large by the voters of the City; and four Councilmembers elected by district. Voters also elect one City Treasurer at-large. All six elected positions are non-partisan. The City Manager appointed by the City Council serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is authorized to appoint all non-elected employees with the exception of the City Attorney.

The City operates with a total annual budget of $145.7 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and employs 314.44 full-time equivalent positions across the departments of Administrative Services City Managers Office Community Development Community Services Fire and Emergency Services Police Public Works and Utilities.

The following duties are typical of this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the duties set forth below and/or may be required to perform additional related duties to address City needs and changing business practices.

• Manage the Citys solid waste program activities to protect public health safety and the environment.
• Monitor and ensure that solid waste sites and program operations comply with all applicable laws regulations and policies.
• Oversee the Citys contract waste hauler and maintain the exclusive franchise agreement ensuring compliance with service levels and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with the landfill operator on major improvements including partial final closure and with the contract hauler on planning financial analysis and solid waste rate studies.
• Administer SB 1383 regulations and provide periodic updates to the Citys solid waste ordinance.
• Lead contract processes including RFP development bidding provider selection negotiation policy development contract administration and performance monitoring.
• Prepare and manage the programs budgets including special funds and grants monitoring expenditures and compiling operational and financial reports.
• Pursue and administer county state and federal grants to support program initiatives.
• Plan organize and implement programs to promote recycling composting waste reduction and pollution prevention in the community.
• Establish and maintain relationships with the press community groups organizations and agencies to publicize and promote programs.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) on inspections of food service establishments and other organic waste generators as needed.
• Serve as the Citys representative to IWMA task forces and provide technical support to the Citys elected representative to the IWMA board.
• Conduct data analyses of waste streams program costs and compliance with State and regional mandates.
• Participate in the development and revision of solid waste recycling and waste reduction policies to comply with changing regulatory requirements.
• Analyze proposed regional state and federal legislation affecting solid waste management.
• Work with landfill contractor to expand material recovery re-use and processing at landfill.
• Explore advance technologies for material processing at landfill to expand recovery.
• Collaborate throughout the organization to advance solid waste programs and initiatives.
• Work with the Community Development Department to ensure proper recovery of solid waste for new development.

Knowledge Of:

• Applicable federal state and local laws codes and regulations affecting solid waste recycling composting and pollution prevention programs.
• Current and emerging policies procedures rules and regulations relating to solid waste recycling household hazardous waste and source reduction programs.
• Solid waste and recycling operations collection disposal transfer and recovery methods and related technologies.
• Principles and practices of effective program and project management including goal setting work plan development budgeting execution tracking evaluation and reporting.
• Permitting contract negotiation and administration principles.
• Occupational safety and health rules including safe handling of hazardous materials.
• Municipal governance and the function and organization of City departments and services.
• Public agency budget development administration and accountability.
• Effective technical report preparation presentation and English usage.
• Computer applications including Microsoft Office products (Word Excel Outlook PowerPoint).

• Interpret apply and explain complex laws codes regulations and ordinances.
• Create community outreach materials.
• Analyze solid waste and recycling issues evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions.
• Track and analyze program costs usage patterns and operational data.
• Develop implement and adjust strategic plans to respond to emerging trends and changing conditions.
• Manage multiple projects prioritize tasks and meet critical deadlines.
• Prepare and present clear concise and persuasive written and oral reports correspondence policies and procedures.
• Communicate effectively on politically socially and culturally sensitive issues both verbally and in writing.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with regulatory agencies franchised service providers other municipalities City staff elected officials community groups business leaders media and the public.
• Collaborate with City staff to coordinate efforts that promote solid waste and recycling programs and keep the community informed through social media press releases and the City website.
• Apply tact initiative prudence and independent judgment within general policy procedural and legal guidelines.
• Apply customer service skills including identifying customer needs responding to complaints professionally and ensuring commitments are met.
• Make accurate arithmetic financial and statistical computations and plan complex projects including use of materials and resources efficiently.

• Graduation from a four-year college or university; and

• Minimum of six years of progressively responsible related professional experience. Experience in municipal recycling and solid waste management is highly desirable. A background in solid waste hauling and disposal is preferred.

A concentration in Environmental Science Public Administration Sustainability Studies Business Administration Urban Planning Engineering or a related field is preferred. Experience working with regulatory agencies is highly desirable.

Additional experience as outlined above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the educational requirement up to a maximum of two years.

Licenses and Certifications:
Must possess a valid California class C drivers license and have a satisfactory driving record.

Your cover letter (3 pages maximum) must demonstrate how your direct professional experience aligns with the core responsibilities of the Solid Waste and Recycling Manager role. Using specific examples from your work history address the following:

The City of Paso Robles 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.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract.