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Job Description

City of Laredo, TX – Environmental & Solid Waste Services Director

Please follow this link to view the full brochure: https://www.affionpublic.com/position/environmental-solid-waste-services-director-laredo-tx/

The Community

Nestled along the historic Rio Grande, Laredo is a dynamic border city with a population of approximately 257,000 residents. As the largest city in Webb County and its county seat, Laredo plays a vital role in international trade and cultural exchange. Uniquely positioned, it is the only city in the U.S. that operates international bridges connecting to two different Mexican states. With four bridges spanning into Tamaulipas and Nuevo León, Laredo serves as a key link between the United States and Mexico.

Strategically located on the Pan American Highway—a trade route that extends from Canada to South America—Laredo is the principal U.S. port of entry into Mexico. This prime location has made the city a thriving hub for commerce, logistics, and international business. Spanning 83.44 square miles, Laredo continues to grow as a center of opportunity, blending rich history with modern economic influence.

This location lends itself to a perfect blend of culture, language, culinary influences and ambiance that can only be found deep in the heart of South Texas. Whether for business, travel, or cultural exploration, Laredo stands as a vibrant, welcoming city where tradition and progress go hand in hand.

Government

Laredo operates under the Council-Manager form of government.  The policy-making and legislative authority lies with the City Council, consisting of the Mayor who is elected at-large, and eight Council Members elected by district. The Mayor is elected to serve a four-year term with a limit of two terms, with Council Members elected on a non-partisan basis and may serve up to two, four-year terms.

The City provides a full range of municipal services including police and fire protection, parks, recreational and cultural activities, libraries, recycling services, public health and social services, municipal housing, animal care facility, public improvements, public bus transportation, water and wastewater services, sanitation services, four international bridges, an international airport, planning and zoning, and general administrative services provided by roughly 3,460 employees. The FY 2025 Annual City Budget is roughly $983 million (General Fund $278 million.)

The Position

The Environmental & Solid Waste Services Director oversees the management and operations of the Solid Waste Services Department, which includes sanitation, landfill, recycling, hazardous materials, and administrative functions. This position is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating departmental activities; developing and implementing policies and procedures; managing the department’s enterprise fund budget; and ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations.

The Environmental & Solid Waste Services Director supervises approximately 200 employees, oversees landfill operations and environmental monitoring programs, manages large-scale engineering projects, and provides updates and reports to the City Manager and City Council. The role also includes negotiating contracts, developing long-term waste management strategies, responding to citizen concerns, and ensuring departmental operations align with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Solid Waste Master Plan.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, coordinates and monitors the administration of department; plans, schedules and assigns work; instructs and trains employees in proper methods and procedures; checks and approves work in progress and upon completion; makes recommendations regarding employee job performance and conducts performance evaluations; makes hiring recommendations and final decisions on hiring; recommends and makes final decision salary adjustments; ensures the smooth day-to day operations of the department.
• Provides proper guidance required for adequate delivery of service through Sanitation, Landfill, Recycling, Hazardous Materials, and Administration divisions of the Solid Waste Services Department.
• Develops, plans, and implements the Solid Waste Services Department's goals and objectives, in support of the Comprehensive Plan and Solid Waste Master plan; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Administers and oversees the department's budget including expenditures, revenue, bond funds, and accounting necessary for enterprise fund. Monitor expenditures and forecast future budget needs.
• Directs, oversees, and participates in the development of department workplan, goals and objectives; assign work activities, monitor workflow &progress; review and evaluate work products.
• Provides assistance to City Manager and City Council; prepares and presents reports, updates, etc. regarding solid waste services activities.
• Provides direction and leadership to the environmental and solid waste staff towards fulfilling department mission.
• Fulfills engineering project management for the City’s two Landfills, a long-term civil engineering project, including the design, development and construction of all facilities on-site such as perimeter screening berms, on-site roadways, utilities and stormwater control, fences, etc.
• Negotiates the scope and contract requirements for all projects utilizing outside consulting engineers for drainage, environmental, landfill, and planning projects.
• Oversees the landfill development, operation, performance of mandated controls, and permit(s) compliance; assures the timely preparation of recurring reports, e.g., reports to regulatory agencies, payment of mandated fees, and contract administration; assists with managerial studies, e.g., study of new regulations and outlining proposed compliance plans, study and report of new procedures and equipment; implementation of control procedures including personnel training.
• Represents the department to the community and its citizens.
• Responds to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Assures regulatory compliance with state (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ) and Federal agencies (Environmental Protection Agency, EPA).
• Monitors all media including storm water, ground water, leachate, landfill gas, and air quality to assure that no releases occur and to maintain compliance with all landfill permits.
• Monitors all programs and requirements of the City’s TPDES MS4 Stormwater permit.
• Evaluates new and solid waste management options, concepts and ideas and evaluate for applicability to the City; implement operational or technological changes, as necessary, to ensure long-term disposal capacity for the citizens of Laredo.
• Develops staff to understand work-related responsibilities to improve service, performance and assist in their professional development.
• Oversees the development of written departmental policies and procedures, business practices, SOP’s and review City policies with leadership team and staff.
• Ensures that all Citizen’s Environmental Committee meetings are properly organized and scheduled.
• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use.

Education and Experience

Qualified applicants will have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, university college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related field, and at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in solid waste management, environmental services, or public works, including a minimum of three (3) years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Manager, Assistant Director, or similar). A Master’s degree, and at least five (5) years of experience leading a solid waste management division or comprehensive environmental services program is preferred. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is highly preferred.

Required Certifications/Licenses

• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) B License (must be obtained within 36 months of employment)
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Municipal Solid Waste Operator License Class A (must be obtained within 60 months of employment)

Preferred Certifications/Licenses

• Manager of Landfill Operations (MOLO) from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is preferred
• Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) License is preferred
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is preferred
• Registered Professional Engineer is preferred
• Certified Floodplain Manager is preferred

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Environmental & Solid Waste Services Director should be a seasoned municipal leader with extensive experience overseeing complex solid waste operations, environmental services, and large-scale budgets. They should demonstrate the ability to manage sanitation, landfill, recycling, hazardous materials, and environmental compliance programs while ensuring operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. A strong background in environmental law, engineering project management, and enterprise fund budgeting is essential.

This individual should have proven experience supervising large teams, managing multidisciplinary divisions, and leading long-range planning efforts that align with a city’s strategic goals. They should be skilled in developing and implementing departmental policies and procedures, managing landfill development and environmental monitoring programs, and working closely with regulatory agencies such as the TCEQ and EPA.

The successful candidate should possess excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to provide clear reports and updates to the City Manager, City Council, and the public. They should be adept at resolving citizen concerns, negotiating contracts, and implementing operational improvements to support sustainable solid waste management. Strong relationship-building skills are critical to navigating the internal and external demands of the role.

Salary

The City of Laredo is offering a competitive salary range between $133,598 - $173,680, commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Relocation assistance will be available for the successful out of area candidate.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to:

resumes@affionpublic.com

Reference: ESWSD

Affion Public

PO Box 794

Hershey, PA 17033

717-214-4922

www.affionpublic.com

*The deadline to receive resumes is May 28, 2025*

The City of Laredo values diversity in its workforce and is an EEO/AA employer and complies with the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants selected as finalists for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background check. The final selected candidate will also be required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.

Special Instructions

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.