Solid Waste Operator Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $113,454.03 - $133,471.47 Annually
Location : City Hall - 123 5th Ave, Kirkland, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202100799
Location: Public Works - Solid Waste
Opening Date: 07/13/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME
Job Summary
**The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is looking to hire one full-time for either the Senior Management Analyst or Management Analyst position. Please reference both job postings and apply to the position that best matches your experience and qualifications.**
About Public Works
The Public Works Department ensures the City's infrastructure remains safe, functional, and sustainable. It oversees vital services including stormwater management, transportation, water and wastewater systems, maintenance of streets and grounds, and capital improvement projects.
As the City's largest department, we are committed to the City's vision and the Department's mission. We play a vital role in making Kirkland livable, sustainable, and connected. We are City employees who take pride in being trusted stewards of the public's resources, infrastructure, environment, and quality of life.
We have a One Team approach, strive for excellence and attract, value, and keep diverse, talented employees.
Why Kirkland?
Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!
If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive leadership and City Council, and innovation.
We also invest in you!
Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.
Awesome benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details.
Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has agreements with two local childcare providers that offer discounted rates for our employees at 10 locations within 20 miles of Kirkland. Learn more!
Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing its employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.
Job Summary: The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is seeking to hire a Senior Management Analyst - Solid Waste! This role oversees implementation of the City's solid waste collection contract and services, provides high-level policy analysis and program and budget recommendations for the solid waste utility, and supports implementation of the City's recycling and waste reduction programs.
SUMMARY: The role of the Senior Management Analyst - Solid Waste is to provide complex analytical work of a highly responsible nature requiring policy development, program, contract or budgetary analysis; to perform a variety of special projects involving complex or sensitive issues; to interact with and provide staff support to elected officials and executive-level staff; to participate on interdepartmental and intergovernmental task groups and problem solving efforts; to participate in the design and implementation of possible solutions to problems including resolution of customer complaints and service issues, policy development, special studies and initiatives; to develop, negotiate and manage major service contracts and programs including the City's solid waste collection contract and other recycling and waste reduction program contracts and grants; to assist with preparation of the solid waste utility rates and division biennial budget; and to provide assistance to lower level professional and clerical personnel.
Distinguishing Characteristics: The Senior Management Analyst is distinguished from the Management Analyst by the level of responsibility assumed, greater independence of work performed, the ability to synthesize financial and policy analysis, and the complexity and level of political profile of duties assigned. The Senior Management Analyst performs the most difficult wide-ranging types of duties assigned to classes within this series including responsibility for coordinating the development of processes; developing, reviewing and analyzing financial information; providing assistance to personnel in other job classes in implementing approved programs; and resolving a wide range of problems. This position is required to be fully aware of all the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.
Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides complex, analytical assistance to executive-level staff in the resolution of issues and the development of policy; reviews, analyzes and evaluates various issues; determines methods and procedures to be followed; develops and recommends programs and appropriate revisions based on analyses.
• Serves as project manager in the development of specified programs and projects; facilitates policy and procedure development; analyzes financial and staff resources allocated to projects and continuously updates project progress.
• Drafts, reviews, and coordinates approval for written documents including staff reports, motions, contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and grants.
• Participates and contributes to the development and administration of portions of the City's solid waste budget; oversee and conduct annual solid waste rate study and prepare rate proposal for departmental and Council consideration; monitor solid waste contract revenue and expenditures; forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs and approves expenditures of assigned programs and contracts.
• Represents the City on inter-jurisdictional and regional work groups and task forces, including regional solid waste planning forums: serve as staff for elected and appointed officials on solid waste issues; ; attend and participate in professional group meetings; attend and participate in City Council meetings and other public meetings.
• Oversees contractual services as assigned including the City's solid waste collection contract and recycling and waste reduction program contracts; ensures compliance with the King County Solid Waste Management Comprehensive Plan; negotiates scope of services for contracts; monitors contracts for compliance; reviews invoices and evaluates contractor performance; terminates or closes contracts as necessary or appropriate.
• Develops Requests for Proposals and Requests for Information for professional services contracts, advertises, drafts criteria and interview questions, formulates recommendations for awards, and coordinates contract execution.
• Serves as professional resource to various organizations and committees; attends and participates in professional group meetings; participates in public relations activities and provides educational/technical assistance in support of programs.
• Writes, edits, and proofs a wide variety of communications and information materials, including content for the City's website, newsletters, brochures, press releases, and handouts.
• Participates and contributes to the development of policy and program guidelines, decisions, program work plans, goals, and objectives.
• Facilitates project team meetings or staff meetings as needed; serves as trainer for departmental procedures and systems.
• Oversee the resolution of service issues and customer complaints. Ensure and promote responsive customer service.

Peripheral Duties:

• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.
• Represents the department at meetings and conferences as assigned.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of current waste management literature, trends, practices, and developments in contracting, recycling, planning, education and outreach, codes and regulations, rates analyses, and related subfields.
• Knowledge of principles of project management, data analysis and evaluation.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration and local government administrative procedures.
• Ability to participate in and work effectively in an organization committed to advancing principles and practices of equity and anti-racism.
• Ability to perform analytical work of a highly responsible nature requiring program or budgetary analysis including gathering, assembling, analyzing, and presenting data in clear and concise reports.
• Ability to participate in the development of policy guidelines and/or decisions that have a high political profile.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques for contract preparation, negotiation, and administration.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing including effective business letter writing, and report and presentation preparation and delivery to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of local budget preparation and administration.
• Ability to evaluate bids and award contracts accordingly.
• Knowledge of applicable technology and software applications that can enhance the effectiveness of the department.
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations.
• Ability to operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, economics, environmental sciences, or a related field.
• Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible public sector administrative, financial, and analytical work experience.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.
• Master's degree in public administration or business administration is desirable.

Other
Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting; the role involves extended periods of sitting, as well as occasional standing, walking short distances, and lifting or carrying materials weighing up to 20 pounds. Occasional attendance at evening or weekend meetings or events is required. May need to conduct site visits or perform occasional field work to resolve customer service issues.
During the 6-month probationary period, this position will work on-site Monday through Friday. After successfully completing probation, the role may be eligible for a hybrid schedule of up to three days per week.
Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. First review of applicants will be Monday, August 10th.
The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.
Final candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check, consistent with applicable law.
This position includes a health insurance benefit package with 100% City-paid premiums for 1.0 FTE (medical/dental/vision for employee and dependents). Premium is prorated for less than 1.0 FTE positions with cost shared between City and the employee.
Participation in the Public Employees Retirement System is mandator