Landfill Manager in Eckert, Colorado at Delta County Colorado

This position is anticipated to close on June 11, 2026, but applications will be accepted until position is filled and removed from the Delta County jobs website.

GENERAL POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Landfill Manager provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for the Adobe Buttes Landfill and associated transfer station(s). The primary objective is to ensure the safe, efficient, and environmentally sound disposal of solid waste in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to hazardous waste, environmental impact, land management, and overall landfill operations. Incumbent is the primary manager for the enterprise fund ensuring long term operation and financial self-sufficiency, through planning and forecasting, maximizes the operational lifespan of the facility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage all solid waste streams entering Landfill/Transfer Station and ensure compliance with all federal, state and county regulations, policies and procedures.
• Manage the ongoing operations of the county landfill; oversee and participate in the planning, designing, engineering, construction and maintenance; assure operational compliance with federal codes and regulations including, but not limited to: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Subtitle "D", and state regulations governing hazardous waste, drainage and ground water protection systems; coordinate and assist state inspection personnel as needed to evaluate county operation.
• Develop and implement standard operating policies and procedures and patron rules and regulations; establishes fees and directs fee collection practices; receive and process public complaints; determine effective solutions; enforce policies and procedures.
• Serve as liaison to the public and various local and state agencies as needed to establish and maintain effective public relations and develop cooperative solutions to common problems and goals; develop action plans for communication, advocacy and defense of administrative policy.
• Direct and coordinate departmental risk management program in cooperation with county staff, contract advisors and legal staff; assure proper insurance coverages for equipment and staff; assure proper coverage for liability, errors and omissions.
• Ensure full compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state environmental protection agencies, and Colorado Department of Health and Environment regulations; manage the operation and monitoring of leachate collection, methane gas mitigation, E-waste, battery, stormwater management, and groundwater monitoring systems; implement and enforce rigorous safety protocols for staff and the public to minimize accidents and hazardous exposure.
• Direct the long-term planning, procurement, and lifecycle management of a heavy equipment fleet (e.g., compactors, dozers, excavators), trucks, and facility infrastructure; designs and executes rigorous preventative maintenance programs that minimize downtime, optimize asset longevity, and control capital expenditure budgets.
• Collect and organize data utilized in development of department budget; prepare proposals and recommendations for operating budget; set up budget accounts and monitors departmental expenditures to assure compliance with budget limitations and goals; administer enterprise fund budget and direct procedures to assure compliance with established fiscal guidelines; cooperate with auditor in the performance of annual internal audit; review billings for accuracy and completeness; assure all equipment purchases, requisition, supplies and materials conform to county purchasing policy, needs and goals.
• Operate computer as needed to access county property database information; locate property improvement information as needed to determine changes in service areas and demands upon the solid waste collection service and landfill utilization; make long-term projections based upon growth and system history.
• The primary location of employment for this position is the designated Delta County office with the exception of required duties that are to be performed off site as necessary. The employee is required to perform the majority (generally, at least 95%) of assigned duties from this designated office location to allow for client, customer and coworker access and collaboration, unless prior written approval for an alternative arrangement, such as temporary remote work, has been granted by the employee's direct supervisor and/or department head and maintained in the employee personnel file.
• Reliable and predictable attendance and punctuality are considered essential functions of this job. Employees are expected to be at their work area and ready to work at the scheduled start time to ensure consistent service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Responsible for supervision and management of staff; plan, direct, supervise and evaluate the performance; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions; write and conduct performance evaluations; arrange for appropriate training and development; ensure employees comply with applicable occupational health and safety standards, department and organizational policies; compliance with all governing laws; seeks support from human resources department and follows generally accepted human resource laws, policies and protocols.

GENERAL JOB DUTIES:

• Determine work procedure, prepare work schedules, expedite workflow; study and standardize procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Assign duties and examine work for exactness, neatness, and conformance to policies and procedures.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, manage and evaluate programs, plans, services, staffing, equipment and infrastructure of solid waste management.
• Evaluate solid waste needs and formulate short and long range plans to meet needs in all areas of responsibility.
• Develop, update and oversee the Solid Waste Comprehensive Plan, Capital Improvement Program, Safety Plan, policies and other plans as needed for compliance and planning involving solid waste.
• Stay abreast of all applicable codes, regulations, and requirements for assigned projects and assure compliance.
• Oversee the preparation of engineering plans and specifications, bidding, competency of contractors and vendors, and the selection criteria for public contracts.
• Oversee project management for the construction of solid waste projects. Oversee assigned projects to ensure contractor compliance with time and budget parameters for the project.
• Manage the maintenance of solid waste utility information and records.
• Respond to public or other inquiries relative to solid waste policies and procedures. Evaluate issues and options regarding the solid waste and make recommendations.
• Maintain contact with consulting engineers, construction project engineers, city, county, state and federal agencies, professional and technical groups and the public regarding Landfill/solid waste activities and services.
• Prepare and administer grant programs, budgets, relative to solid waste utility operations.
• Monitor landfill wells as required by regulations and procedures.
• Closure and post landfill closure monitoring.
• Provide assurance assessment and updates for county auditor, State Health Department/Environmental Protection Act in accordance with regulatory compliance.
• Provide county and area public education concerning solid waste and recycling.
• Participate in numerous County, Region 10, Western Slope, state, and national committees/organizations dealing with solid waste and general environmental issues.
• Provide fill-in as necessary for all aspects of attendant and operator duties.
• Should the Board of County Commissioners or another authorized representative issue a local disaster declaration in Delta County, all Delta County employees may be called upon to serve as disaster service workers.
• Perform like and similarly qualified duties as assigned.

Education:

• Graduation from high school PLUS at least two (2) years of specialized training related to environmental technologies, hazardous waste, landfill management, general administration and other essential aspects of the position provided through professionally sponsored workshops, seminars, college or vocational studies or in-service is required. Please submit documentation to support training.
• An associates or bachelor’s degree in environmental science or related field is preferred.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of direct solid waste management experience is required.
• At least two (2) years of supervisory, management and budgetary experience is required.
• Three (3) years of heavy equipment operation experience is required.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Prefer Manager Of Landfill Operations (MOLO) certification through the Society of Waste Association of North America (SWANA).
• If not already certified, ability to obtain certification within one (1) year is required.

Combination of education and experience may waive a specific requirement upon hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical Requirements: Walk, stand, sit, crawl, kneel, squat, type, use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects or tools, reach with hands and arms, talk, listen, hear, read, see, lift, bend, climb in/out of equipment

GENERAL BENEFITS:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Selective optional insurances available to the employee and eligible dependents on a cost share basis between employee and the organization
• Life insurance and employee only medical insurance is available at no cost to the employee
• Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employees contribute 4% of their salary to a 401(a) retirement account fully matched with 4% from the County
• Optional 457(b) tax advantaged deferred-compensation retirement plan
• Paid time off is accrued at 14 hours per month to start
• 11 paid holidays per calendar year
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that includes 6 counseling sessions along with some legal and financial support counseling
• Modified work schedules for positions and employees that qualify
• Additional employee discounts and fringe benefits are available

Lifting: 100 pound requirement

Exposure to Elements: Sun, wind, dust, rain, mud, snow, ice, cold, heat, high pressure hoses, solvent, grease, oil, paint, cleaning materials, loud noise and vibration

Handling of Dangerous Equipment: Pickup, water truck, backhoe, loader, road grader, bulldozer, compactor-sheep foot, steel-wheel, track hoe, shovel, rake, pick, broom, post driver, hammer, hand tools, hydraulic & pneumatic tools, grinding wheel; operator skill level is not required for all equipment and tools

Risk of Assault or Injury: Highway safety conditions and heavy equipment operational hazards can be minimized through close attention to good operating practices. Maintain safe practices when around equipment, when moving and lifting heavy objects. Must meet public and be prepared to deal with difficult people.

Other Hazardous Conditions: Blizzards, floods, fires, exposures, dirt and dust, selenium, fire asbestos and bodily fluids; works with unknown materials and handles hazardous waste and angular waste appliances