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Assistant Solid Waste Manager

City of Lakeland, FL
Lakeland, FL Full Time
POSTED ON 7/30/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/26/2026

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This position provides leadership and oversight of all Solid Waste Department operations, including residential and commercial collection, recycling, yard waste, support services, and container maintenance. Reporting to the Solid Waste Manager, the role manages 3 program supervisors, container maintenance operations, and has direct oversight of the roll-off program. This role also manages 45 employees reporting to other supervisors and is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and effective delivery of solid waste services. The incumbent will act as the Solid Waste Manager in the absence of the Division Manager.

Key responsibilities include overseeing driver training, safety, and recognition programs; supporting annual budget development; and managing container inventory purchasing, specifications, and public relations efforts. The position requires strong independent judgment, initiative, and the ability to implement operational improvements and departmental priorities with staff.


Please note this posting is "Continuous" and can close at
ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Assists in managing solid waste core services on a day-to-day basis.
  • Assists in developing and administering divisional safety programs, including conducting training programs and collecting data to prepare training reports.
  • Maintains divisional accident records and compiles statistical information relative to all losses.
  • Conducts various training programs for solid waste employees and supervisors in all areas of solid waste collection operations and maintenance, and recurring training for specific work safety in areas of high risk or large losses.
  • Supervises all container maintenance operations for residential and commercial services, including assigned staff, container inventory, and refurbishment.
  • Manages and maintains truck-mounted and handheld technology used in all collection vehicles and route types.
  • Prepares, analyzes, and implements programs to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of collection, disposal, and recycling services, including new technologies, methods/procedures, consolidation, elimination, reduction, and/or contracting out specific services.
  • Approves and monitors collection services, resolution of citizen complaints, new services, and service delivery charges.
  • Approves additional equipment, personnel, personnel reassignments, and overtime when needed to deliver effective service.
  • Reviews, approves, and organizes budget projections and schedules; manages unit budget and work processes.
  • Prepares reports and correspondence.
  • Assigns, develops, and evaluates direct reports.
  • Facilitates and fosters team development at all organizational levels.
  • Conducts safety meetings.
  • Develops and approves light-duty assignments for workers injured on the job.
  • Assists in coordinating storm damage and disaster clean-up as directed by the City Disaster Debris Manager.
  • Supervises other programs within the Solid Waste Division as needed.
  • May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
  • Must be available for rotating shifts of standby and call-out after hours and on weekends, early and late shifts for start-up and close-down hours, and special after-hours events and functions as needed.
  • Position is designated as Mission Critical.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
  • May represent the division with contractors, consultants, government agencies, and citizens.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

  • Associate degree or 60 college credit hours from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Finance, Environmental Science, Engineering, Public and/or Business Administration.
  • Five years of experience in residential and/or commercial solid waste collection operations.**
  • Two years of supervisory experience in solid waste collection operations and/or in trucking and logistics operations.
  • One year of experience operating medium to heavy motor vehicles.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid state of Florida Class "B" Commercial driver's license with appropriate endorsements.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.**
Education Equivalency
Year of experience**

High School Diploma/GED
11 years

30 Credit Hours
8 years

Associate's degree
5 years

Bachelor's degree
3 years

Master's degree
1 year

Doctorate
0 year

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
  • SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America) certification required within 12 months of employment.
  • Bachelor's degree is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE


  • Solid waste collection and disposal best practices and technology; knowledge of modern management practices and procedures; modern developments, current literature, and sources of information relating to the solid waste industry.

SKILLS
  • Research and analysis of data; verbal and written communications with staff, the public, and other government officials.

ABILITIES
  • Plan, assign, direct, and coordinate the work of skilled and unskilled trades workers in a manner that promotes full performance.
  • Write and speak clearly and succinctly in various communication settings.
  • Develop a team environment inclusive of all staff and set clear objectives and measures to monitor processes, progress, and results.
  • Present to groups.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Light to medium physical work, including walking, standing, and driving most of the time, and exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force periodically.
  • Adeptness and speed in using the fingers, hands, or limbs in tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy.
  • When performing field work, there is routine exposure to significant environmental hazards, including bright/dim light, dust/pollen, extreme heat/cold, wet/humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, moving machinery; possible exposure to disease/pathogens and toxic/caustic chemicals.
  • Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your email and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.
The City of Lakeland is a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment, you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.


City of Lakeland
2026 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave
Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:



Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave
Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

  • NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool
Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave
Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan
Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:
Plan C Employee 4.52%
Employer 15.54%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:
Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits
Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire
Employer 15.54%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:
A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.
Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays
Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave
Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty
Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave
Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave
Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay
Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay



Tuition Reimbursement
Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards
A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)
An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment
Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking
Free while at work.

Break Periods
Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.


For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.

Salary : $73,832 - $110,748

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