Waste Reduction Policy Advisor

Are you RichmondR.E.A.D.YRespect.Equity.Accountability.DiversityYOU!!!

This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent fostering growth opportunities and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

The actual hiring range for this role is $101000 - $105000.

The City of Richmonds Office of Sustainability serves as the central hub for equitable climate action and resilience. Our vision is that all Richmondersregardless of identity or neighborhoodthrive in a climate-neutral community.

We work at a systems level to address the root causes of climate change and inequity by advancing policy programs and partnerships that center equity resilience and environmental justice. Our office is currently leading the implementation of RVAgreen 2050 Richmonds equity-centered climate action and resilience initiative which aims to:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030
• Achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

This full-time permanent position offers an impactful professional opportunity for experienced individuals in the fields of waste reduction circular economy materials management sustainability public policy and community engagement. The Waste Reduction Policy Advisor will lead the development coordination and implementation of Richmonds waste reduction strategy working to reduce landfill dependency advance circular economy practices ensure the inclusion of sound financial strategies and accelerate progress toward Richmonds 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas goals. This position will serve as a primary coordinator for waste reduction initiatives across City operations including Public Works Procurement and other internal stakeholders as well as community-facing programs.

The selected candidate will report to the Sustainability Manager of the Office of Sustainability and work closely with City departments governmental organizations community-based organizations haulers materials processors businesses schools and residents to design and implement programs that reduce waste generation increase diversion rates and build a culture of sustainable materials management across City government and the broader community. This position will also serve as a member of the Public Utilities Services Commission and the Clean City Commission as a city representative.

This position is funded through the Citys Disposable Plastic Bag Tax revenues and reflects the Citys ongoing commitment to institutionalizing waste reduction as a core function of municipal operations alongside the Citys 10-year strategic waste management framework.

• Review City operations across departments and facilities to identify waste generation patterns gaps in diversion infrastructure and opportunities for waste reduction.
• Identify propose and implement operational efficiencies that reduce waste materials costs and disposal costs across City government.
• Develop educational materials and curriculum content for waste reduction programming including materials for schools businesses and community groups.
• Review solid waste and recycling rate analyses cost-of-service data and hauler contract terms to inform policy recommendations and support the transition toward more sustainable cost-effective practices.
• Lead adoption of more sustainable organizational practices across City departments including procurement standards internal recycling and composting programs and reduction of single-use materials.
• Develop policies procedures and performance metrics related to waste diversion disposal reduction and circular economy initiatives and report on those publicly where appropriate.
• Monitor create implement and support enforcement mechanisms of waste-related ordinances including the Disposable Plastic Bag Tax and the polystyrene (EPS) food service container ban.
• Research best practices from peer local governments regarding municipal waste reduction extended producer responsibility and circular economy policy.
• Establish and facilitate cross-departmental coordination among the Office of Sustainability Department of Public Works Procurement Services Parks and Recreation and other relevant agencies.
• Analyze and maintain waste generation diversion rates tonnage data and program performance metrics to track progress toward citywide waste reduction goals.
• Collect analyze and present data designed to ensure operational and cost efficiencies related to solid waste management.
• Develop and prepare reports policy memos presentations and communication materials to disseminate program and policy information including briefings for City leadership and City Council standing committees.
• Develop annual program targets and implementation benchmarks for waste diversion and reduction.
• Support website content development related to waste reduction programs and public-facing resources.
• Manage public education communications and outreach related to waste reduction recycling and composting (may include engagement events workshops and business outreach).
• Coordinate development of community partnerships with organizations supporting reuse repair and materials recovery.
• Identify opportunities to integrate waste reduction and circular economy principles into existing City initiatives including capital projects and special events.
• Support alignment between waste reduction goals procurement practices and broader RVAgreen 2050 climate strategies.
• Develop strategies to leverage and braid funding sources including waste tax revenue grants and state/federal circular economy programs.
• Identify and manage external funding opportunities and report on grant-related deliverables.
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelors Degree in sustainability environmental science public administration urban planning engineering materials management or field directly related to assignment
• Six years of progressively related experience that includes significant management and supervisory experience
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in waste reduction recycling circular economy sustainability or public sector program administration
• Experience managing multi-stakeholder projects and partnerships
• Knowledge of solid waste systems recycling and commodities markets composting operations or extended producer responsibility policy
• Familiarity with municipal rate-setting hauler contracts and solid waste cost-of-service analysis
• Experience working with historically underserved communities and applying equity-centered program design
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification

LICENSING CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Certified Recycling Professional SWANA certification or LEED preferred

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

• Waste reduction and sustainability concepts including diversion strategies circular economy principles composting recycling systems and materials management
• An understanding of concepts related to municipal procurement solid waste rate structures hauler contracting and community services
• Ability to manage complex interdepartmental initiatives and competing priorities
• Advanced project management facilitation presentation and organizational skills
• Ability to analyze technical financial and policy information and communicate findings clearly
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across government agencies and community stakeholders
• Commitment to equity environmental justice and community-centered program delivery
• Local state and federal waste and materials management policy and programs
• Standard office equipment and software
• Basic principles of communications and community engagement
• Administrative practices record keeping and document design

Skills (some combination of the following):

• Technical writing editing and content creation
• Data entry and information tracking (Microsoft Excel)
• Research and analysis
• Customer service and community relations
• Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism

Abilities (some combination of the following):

• Communicate clearly and effectively
• Manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Exercise sound judgment and problem-solving skills
• Work both independently and as part of a team
• Adapt to evolving tasks and responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts electrical currents vibrations etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes odors dusts gases and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people imminent danger and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly talk; frequently finger hear see and perform repetitive motions; and occasionally climb balance stoop kneel crouch crawl reach stand walk push pull lift feel and grasp. The working conditions may include environmental terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties this classification is considered to be sedentary exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Richmond 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 City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process please contact Veronica Kenner by email at

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruitment hiring placement promotion termination layoff transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

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