Recycling and Solid Waste Services Manager

County of Santa Cruz
invites you to apply for

Recyclliing and
Solliid Wastte

Supplemental Questionnaire Required
Open and Promotional

Salary: $132,202 – 176,772 Annual ly
Candidates may be eligible for relocation assistance

Closing Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Live here, Work here, Play here

www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

County Equity Statement

Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces individuals of
every status, providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.

Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access, fostering
an environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The current vacancy is within the Recycling and Solid Waste Division of Public Works.

The Recycling and Solid Waste position will serve as the Recycling and Solid Waste Services
Manager and does not require possession of a valid California Civil Engineer Professional
Engineer certificate of registration. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in
recycling and solid waste services and have the knowledge and ability to interpret complex
site development engineering projects in the context of landfill operations and capital
projects.

Candidates will demonstrate proven leadership ability, as they will supervise a team of
engineers, technical and support staff, providing technical guidance and direction. Excellent
communication skills are critical, as they will work closely with other departments, agencies,
developers and the public, ensuring projects comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
Experience managing budgets, preparing reports, and solving complex engineering
challenges will further enhance their ability to thrive in this role.

THE JOB
Under general direction, plan, direct, coordinate, schedule, review and evaluate the work of a
section of the Public Works Department or Planning Department; review and analyze technical
and engineering issues; and perform other duties as required. Positions in this classification
work directly for an Assistant Director and are typically responsible for managing a section in
the Public Works or Planning Departments. This classification is the first full supervisory and
management level classification in the professional and technical engineering series.
Incumbents supervise a staff of engineers, paraprofessional engineers, engineering aides,
maintenance staff and other support staff. In addition to supervising the work of staff,
incumbents perform the most difficult and complex engineering work or serve as the technical
expert in reviewing and analyzing engineering issues.

The Recycling and Solid Waste section oversees landfill and transfer station programs, the
development and implementation of annual permit compliance plan, and solid waste capital
projects, including project development and engineering design, bid procurement,
construction quality assurance, fiscal management and permitting; manages solid waste and
recycling collection, franchise agreements for incorporated areas, and landfill and transfer
station gate data and revenue collection.

Employees may be eligible for up to two days of remote work per week following the
successful completion of the probationary period, based on job duties and operational
needs.

During the life of the eligible list, the list established from this recruitment may be used to
fill current and future vacancies in the following sections: Road Operations and
Encroachments, Traffic Engineering, Water/Wastewater (Sanitation), Construction
Management, and Flood Control.

The Road Operations and Encroachments section approves engineering drawings; directs
and oversees the preparation of engineering designs, plans and specifications for the
construction of public works improvement projects including roads, sanitation systems,
storm drains, refuse disposal sites, bike paths and street maintenance; reviews
improvement plans prepared by private firms for accuracy, design and completeness and
conformance to laws and County design criteria; supervises the review and approval of
various permit applications.

The Traffic Engineering section is responsible for reviewing and analyzing the traffic
components of development proposals and designing transportation plans and projects.
Projects/activities also include traffic signal design, complete street design, prepare traffic
control plans, and prepare transportation planning documents. This position supervises 5
technical and professional engineering staff who are responsible for performing analysis on
traffic studies, signal timing, traffic safety reviews, traffic engineering designs, speed surveys
and signal and stop sign warrants. The work also includes preparing traffic control plans,
striping and signage plans and reviewing CHP collision data.

The Water/Wastewater (Sanitation) section plans, organizes and manages the operation
and maintenance of the County's sanitation facilities; directs, through subordinate
supervisors, the work of a staff engaged in a wide variety of activities connected with
sanitation operations and maintenance; ensures that all sanitation facilities comply with
State and Federal laws and regulations.

The Construction Management section conducts field inspections of both County and
private construction projects; coordinates with public and private agencies regarding
projects about to start or under construction; reviews and consults with staff regarding
award of contracts, contract change orders, progress payments and project close out.

The Flood Control section plans, organizes, and manages the flood control activities for
storm drain maintenance district(s) and flood control and water conservation district(s).
Administers and coordinate various advisory and regulatory committees.

All Public Works Positions: may act for an Assistant Director of Public Works as assigned.

THE REQUIREMENTS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and
abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain this knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college with a major in civil, traffic,
environmental, or sanitary engineering; or biological, chemical, physical or soil science; or a
related field; AND five (5) years of increasingly responsible engineering experience that
demonstrates possession and application of the knowledge and abilities listed below. A
master’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field may be substituted for one
year of the required engineering experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
License: Possession of a valid California class C driver license.

Certificate: For some assignments: Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil
Engineer issued by the California Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions;
high levels of noise; dust; strong, unpleasant odors; heights, such as on bridges; working
alone in isolated areas; the possibility of contact with potentially hostile people; cramped
workspaces; and bodily injuries. Some positions may be required to occasionally lift
manhole covers, soil samples and enviro
nmental process equipment. Potential exists for exposure to toxic materials such as landfill
gas, sewer gas and discarded household or commercial chemicals.

Other Special Requirements: Availability to work irregular hours, including responding to
emergency calls.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES CAN BE FOUND HERE:
https://www2.santacruzcountyca.gov/personnel/Specs/EE3spec.html

THE EXAMINATION
Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you have met the
education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If
you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any
combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training
and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all
components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated
if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration
of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months, and your overall score will
be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six
months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take
the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application
and supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701
Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing
Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.Applications will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Human
Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before
midnight of the final filing date.

Women, people of color and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a
disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that
all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.