Full-Time

Solid Waste Operations Manager

Solid Waste

Polk County

Polk County

County government administering budgets and services

Compensation Overview

$42.20 - $63.30/hr

Winter Haven, FL, USA

In Person

Must reside within 45-minute drive of North Central Landfill or relocate within 6 months.

Bachelor's

Category
Operations & Logistics (1)

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Requirements
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma and have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in solid waste operations, heavy equipment, transportation, or logistics; which included a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience
  • Experience with operations, customer service, community relations, health and safety, financial, and human resources functions
  • Experience implementing safety (OSHA) programs and equipment specifications
  • Experience assisting with budget preparation and monitoring expenditures
  • Experience resolving labor relations issues
  • A valid driver’s license is required; a Florida driver’s license must be obtained upon employment. The employee must maintain a clean driving record to operate an assigned county vehicle
  • Knowledge of heavy equipment operations
  • A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications
Responsibilities
  • Ensures the highest standards of environmental safety and operational excellence by effectively managing the day-to-day operations of the landfill
  • Thorough knowledge and experience maximizing landfill airspace through equipment utilization, compaction techniques, cover requirements, etc.
  • Ensures smooth operation of landfill, assists with ongoing construction, leachate/gas management as needed
  • Manage operational costs while optimizing productivity and maintaining safety and environmental compliance
  • Works to reduce turnaround time for trucks in and out of site
  • Reviews daily tonnages to better allocate resources
  • Acts as a liaison where necessary for community relationships
  • Actively monitors ongoing permit compliance issues
  • Complies with and ensure adherence to standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient operations
  • Oversee personnel needs of the division including selecting, coaching, and training employees and evaluating employee performance. Provides input into termination, compensation, and promotion decisions
  • Assists in the budget process as required
  • Participates in the procurement of goods and services as required
  • Ensures the cleanliness and maintenance of the physical property of the landfill through inspections and preventive maintenance programs with supervisors/employees
  • Conducts and contributes to regular safety meetings to maintain favorable working relationships among employees and promote maximum morale, productivity, and efficiency
  • Provides training and presentations as needed in a positive and professional manner
  • Updates and submits required reports in a timely manner
  • Distributes division related information regularly
  • Works closely with other supervisors and managers regarding landfill operations. Completes and maintains a variety of reports as directed by the director or site manager
  • Uses software tools to manage a variety of tasks, such as procurement, time and attendance, safety incidents, and contract labor
  • Assists in the implementation of operational projects as needed
  • Communicates with customers about service issues as needed
  • Communicates with employees about scheduling and work assignments as needed
  • Responds to regulatory agencies on matters associated with site operations and compliance
Desired Qualifications
  • Graduate of an accredited four (4) year college or university with major course work in Business or Engineering
  • Private industry experience – landfills, transfer stations, residential curbside collection, and recycling
  • Landfill Operator Certification – University of Florida “TREEO”, SWANA “MOLO”, or similar certifications
  • Heavy equipment knowledge includes equipment lifecycle, preventative maintenance and repair
  • GPS hardware and software utilization for landfill compaction, cell design, and cut/fill (Carlson)

Polk County is governed by the Board of County Commissioners elected by residents, and they adopt the annual budget that funds public safety, infrastructure, health and welfare programs, libraries, parks, housing, waste and water services, and transportation. The Commission sets policies, enforces zoning and building codes, and oversees development plans and public works such as roads and fire protection. It coordinates a wide range of services under one local government to meet residents’ needs. Goal: maintain essential public services and infrastructure to support safe, healthy, and thriving communities in Polk County.

Company Size

N/A

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$10K

Headquarters

Winter Haven, Florida

Founded

N/A

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Polk County approved a $3.91 billion balanced FY2026-2027 budget on July 17, 2026.
  • No countywide millage increase accompanied that budget, supporting workforce stability.
  • Fire Rescue expansion and pediatric TBI partnerships strengthen recruiting and service quality.

What critics are saying

  • Polk County required 1% departmental cuts in February 2026, signaling sustained budget pressure.
  • County leaders planned attrition-based reductions, deleting nine positions for FY26/27.
  • School tax referendum fights and Lake Wales CRA litigation threaten county revenue and legal spend.

What makes Polk County unique

  • Polk County scaled Fire Rescue to 1,101 positions in FY25/26, unusually aggressive staffing.
  • Polk County won a $16 million FEMA SAFER grant on November 19, 2025.
  • Polk County’s medical examiner state partnership saved over $1 million in 2026.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Professional Development Budget

Wellness Program

Mental Health Support

Deferred Compensation Plan

Company News

Polk County
Nov 19th, 2025
Polk County Fire Rescue creating 50 new positions with SAFER Grant

Polk County Fire Rescue creating 50 new positions with SAFER grant. Bartow, Fla. (Nov. 19, 2025) - Polk County Fire Rescue was awarded a $16-million federal grant to fund 50 new positions. PCFR was awarded the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the 50 positions. The program is designed to help fire rescue departments nationwide increase and maintain staffing levels. It also helps with response and operational standards compliance. PCFR Chief Shawn Smith is ready to start recruiting candidates for the new positions. "Polk County Fire Rescue is excited to bring new talent into our organization with the help of the SAFER grant," Smith said. "We are grateful for this new federal funding which will help us reach our staffing goals." The 50 new SAFER grant-supported firefighter positions are part of more than 100 positions PCFR is working to fill. The Polk County Board of County Commissioners recently approved funding for fire personnel positions. PCFR encourages anyone interested in a career in firefighting to reach out to the department or visit https://www.polk-county.net/public-safety/fire-rescue/careers/.

Tryon Newsmedia, LLC
Nov 7th, 2025
Polk County names new leaders for Health and Human Services Agency

Polk County names new leaders for Health and Human Services Agency. - Robin Elliott was named Polk HHSA Director. POLK COUNTY - Polk County has announced the appointment of Robin Elliott as the new Director of the Polk County Health and Human Services Agency. In addition, Natalie Trachsel has been promoted to serve as Assistant Director of the agency. "Congratulations to both Robin and Natalie as they step into these crucial positions within the Health and Human Services Agency," said Polk County Manager Marche Pittman. "We are confident that their leadership will greatly benefit the Polk community." Pittman also expressed appreciation to the county's Human Resources Officer and the Polk County Health and Human Services Board for their role in the selection process and for helping identify the best candidates for these key positions. Both appointments will take effect on November 17.

Charter Communications
Jun 28th, 2024
Polk County creates mentally healthy spaces for its employees

Polk County board of county commissioners received a Bell Seal Award from Mental Health America the county offers various mental health resources like trainings, safe spaces and resources for employees and their family members Polk fire rescue offers mental health resources from the county in all its stations.

Tryon Daily Bulletin
Dec 1st, 2023
Polk County HHS team helps with Meals on Wheels

Polk County HHS team helps with Meals on Wheels.

New Day Market Research
Dec 1st, 2023
Friedlander Ranch May Become Part of Envisioned Plan's "Big Green Network"

The Friedlander parcel, located southeast of Lake Wales and north of Babson Park, lies entirely within the utility service area established by the City of Lake Wales through interlocal agreement with Polk County.