Solid Waste Outreach & Education Team Lead

Requisition ID: 43534 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose & Function

The Solid Waste Outreach & Education Team Lead is a key leadership position within the Solid Waste Services branch. This team lead is responsible for developing and overseeing the City’s outreach and education programs to help achieve the City’s Zero Waste and Public Realm Cleanliness goals.  This position develops and implements programs and initiatives to reduce waste generated, increase waste diversion, and improve street cleanliness. This position oversees the development and implementation of various programs and initiatives such as, but not limited to, Recycling & Reuse Drop-off events, Neighbourhood Cleanup Program, Repair Café, School Workshops, Free Swap Events, Zero Waste Ambassador Program, etc. 

The position reports to the Assistant Branch Manager, Solid Waste Services, and manages a team of Program Coordinators, Community Event Assistants, Engineering Assistants and a Clerk.  Key contacts for this position include staff from the Solid Waste Management Division (i.e. Solid Waste Services, Sanitation Operations, Transfer & Landfill - Operations, and Transfer & Landfill - Engineering and Environment), plus other Engineering branches and City departments, as well as external government agencies, non-profit organizations and community groups, Business Improvement Associations (BIAs), Community centres, Libraries, Schools, and the general public.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Provides leadership, supervision and guidance to direct reports (coordinators, engineering assistants, community events assistants, and clerk), including hiring, work planning, assigning responsibilities, prioritizing and reviewing work, performance evaluation and management, attendance management, coaching, mentoring, and participating in conduct investigations and grievances.
• Collaborates on cross-departmental projects/initiatives and strengthening relationships with various internal and external stakeholders including operations, BIAs, non-profit organizations, Metro Vancouver and regional municipalities, Community Policing Center, Libraries, and Community Centers.

• Collaborates with other members of the SWS branch leadership team to identify opportunities for outreach and education programs to support the development/implementation of other Zero Waste 2040 policy/program initiatives, and share relevant data and insights from outreach programs to help inform policy/program development.
• Contributes to the interim planning and execution of the City’s Zero Waste 2040 Strategic Plan.
• Contributes to the City’s feedback on senior government engagements on waste policy, such as Metro Vancouver’s solid waste management plans and programs, and provincial and federal programs and regulations.
• Provides support in grievance processes if needed.

Planning, Design, and Program Management

• Oversees, leads, and supports a variety of new and existing outreach and education programs/initiatives, such as Recycling & Reuse Drop-off Events, Neighbourhood Cleanup Program, Share Reuse Repair programs (e.g. Repair Café, Free Swaps), Zero Waste Ambassador Program, School education programs, and other work supporting Zero Waste 2040 and public realm cleanliness.
• Researches, reports on, and implements industry best practices, prepares feasibility studies and performs business case analysis for a variety of proposed programs and policies.
• Analyzes data and information to identify gaps and opportunities around waste reduction, waste diversion and street cleanliness, such as waste composition, geographic and demographic data, and other relevant research.
• Ideates and recommends practical, cost-effective and strategic behaviour change programs and long range plans to improve waste diversion and street cleanliness, and develops, implements, measures, and evaluates new programs/plans and continuous improvement of existing programs.
• Analyzes the design and implementation of programs using the City’s equity lenses to ensure all residents, including equity-denied communities, can participate in outreach and education programs/initiatives.
• Prepares reports, memos, presentations and presents to Council, committees and senior management.
• Responds to inquiries internally from other City departments and externally from businesses, media, and the general public.
• Develops and manages the annual work plan, operating budgets and all associated procurement, grants, and partnership opportunities associated with outreach programs.
• Oversees and assesses metrics/trends/recommendations brought forward by team members for reasonableness and completeness and provides direction/support to implement changes or new programs.
• Manages various operating projects/programs and associated budgets, including coordinating the work of consultants.
• Provides coverage for Assistant Branch Manager and other senior staff as needed.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies/Science/Planning, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Resource and Environmental Management, Geography, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of training and experience;
• A minimum of 8 years experience in project or program management and managing increasingly complex and multiple projects or programs, preferably within or related to outreach, education, and behavior change programs in a public sector;
• Previous experience supervising staff in a union environment;
• Training or experience in behavioural insights, community-based social marketing, and solid waste management is an asset.

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent knowledge of policies and programs related to solid waste outreach and education, including programs supporting public behaviour change towards zero waste and public realm cleanliness.
• Sound knowledge of the City’s and the region’s solid waste management plans and Zero Waste 2040 plan.
• Technical and financial analytical knowledge and skilled in assessing/defining needs and objectives, complex/multi-variable problem solving, critical analysis and strategic thinking.
• Project and program initiation, scoping, development and management relating to consulting, contracting, and operating projects and programs.
• Excellent knowledge and skills in leading, managing and supervising staff including: recruitment and selection, mentoring, training, motivating, conflict resolution, performance and attendance management, and discipline.
• Multi-stakeholder project team coordination, interest-based problem solving, and consensus building.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive, productive relationships at all levels in the organization and with external stakeholders.
• Ability to independently manage large workloads, set priorities, and multi-task effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, including excellent written and verbal communication, report writing and presentation skills.
• Strong conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation skills.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills with the ability to effectively and efficiently prioritize actions in response to numerous and diverse demands.
• Ability to develop outreach and education plans and lead engagement activities to increase public awareness and behavior change, and to collaborate with stakeholders.
• Ability to develop business cases and implement strategic and operational plans.

Driver’s License and Record Checks:

• A current and valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Engineering Services (1300) 

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: May, 2025 

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-091: $111139 to $138924 per annum

Application Close: April 15, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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