Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery (Solid Waste)

City of Austin, TX

The City of Austin is seeking a highly qualified individual to fill the Assistant Director of Austin Resource Recovery position (ARR), which reports to the Director of Austin Resource Recovery (ARR).

The Assistant Director will have several exciting challenges that include leading the department in implementing recommendations from the ARR Comprehensive Plan, oversight of the Zero Waste Comprehensive plan, including updates, policy and ordinance development, and implementation strategies. The successful candidate will direct several department programs and work collaboratively across the department and city.

Under the general direction of the director, this position directs the activities of personnel involved in providing resource recovery, recycling, and reuse services.

Directs activities related to the key goal area of recycling, household chemical collection, and resource recovery disposal.
Plans long-range goals for resource recovery management including collection, recycling, and disposal.
Selects, trains, and evaluates supervisory, technical, and administrative personnel in support of the goals of the division.
Develops, implements, and maintains existing programs.
Identifies the need for new programs in resource recovery management.
Coordinates with other City departments on Citywide issues of concern.
Directs the activities of personnel in planning the operating budget for the division, projecting needs for equipment and personnel corresponding to service requirements for resource recovery management.
Provides technical expertise to other departments of the City and concerned members of the public on current developments in the area of resource recovery management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Engineering, Environmental Science, or a closely related field, plus eight (8) years of management experience in Resource Recovery, Utilities, Municipalities, or in leading and managing a large budget and division, including two (2) years of experience which were in a supervisory or management capacity.
Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for non-supervisory/management experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.

Notes to Candidate:
The ideal candidate is data-driven decision-maker with a strong grasp of financial modeling and strategic planning who combines solid waste expertise with an exceptional stakeholder management ability. The next Assistant Director of Austin Resource Recovery brings proven experience in zero waste planning and circular economy initiatives, with a track record of turning ambitious sustainability goals into operational realities.

The following core competencies are essential for this role:

Planning Priorities – Recognizes, plans, focuses upon, and works toward what is most important or critical.
Communicates Effectively – Ability to work with diverse communities and populations to build constructive and effective relationships and convey and receive information.
Thinks Strategically – Enables others to better understand and implement the vision and strategy while being the aligned forward thinker, has the ability to formulate and communicate sound business strategy and implement in a clear and concise manner.
​Business Acumen - Demonstrates an understanding of financial drivers, cost benefit analysis, operational efficiency, and the alignment of resources with strategic goals.
Customer Focused – Strives to deliver high quality results and superior service that exceeds expectations while remaining mindful of the needs and perspective both of our internal and external customers.
Community Collaborator – Experience presenting complex information strategies to public stakeholders, management, City Manager’s Office, Board and Commissions, and City Council.
Achieves Results – Has the ability to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
Politically savvy: Ability to exhibit confidence and professional diplomacy and be comfortable in high-visibility public settings (e.g., council, commissions, community meetings).

How to Apply

To ensure consideration, candidates should apply by December 19, 2025 for optimum consideration.

Job Details

Salary
DOQ/E
Job Function
Assistant/Deputy Department Director

City of Austin

Address

PO BOX 1088
Austin, TX 78767-1088
United States

Form of Government
Council-Manager

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