Resolution abolishing one Division Secretary position and creating the position of Solid Waste Support Specialist.

The Public Works Solid Waste Management Division oversees the operations of the Recycling Center and the implementation and management of the solid waste collection and disposal contracts.

The Recycling Center operations have changed significantly in the last five years, with an increase in operational hours and an increase in Recycling Center traffic of over 30%, resulting in nearly 60,000 vehicles per year passing through the gates.

The current vacancy in the Division Secretary position prompted a comprehensive evaluation of the position.  This evaluation included an assessment of the job description, real life job duties, and corresponding wage.  

Since the reorganization of Solid Waste Management into the Public Works Department, responsibilities of the Division Secretary position have evolved to accommodate the changes.  

Regional surveys of similar positions in the solid waste industry were solicited from peer organizations.  After review of the survey results, it was determined that the responsibilities of the current Division Secretary are a combination of several different job descriptions within the responding organizations.  An employee working in this position performs scale operation duties; directs the work of the Scale Operator position; performs accounts payable and accounts receivable functions; assists with Division reporting, grant support, and other administrative tasks; fields customer service requests for Recycling Center operations as well as curbside collections; and even conducts hazardous waste receiving and classification. 

In addition, this position works directly with Waste Connections, the City’s solid waste collection contractor, to address program questions, resolve customer concerns, and disseminate program information.

For the aforementioned reasons, Public Works is proposing to abolish one Division Secretary position and create the position of Solid Waste Support Specialist.  

The new position will be placed under the CWA bargaining unit at grade 15.

The position will be paid from two funding sources within the Refuse Enterprise account- 50% from Refuse collection and disposal and 50% from Recycle Center operations.  With the elimination of the secretary position, the additional cost for the new position is estimated to be $5,577 annually.

Approval of this resolution.  The proposed position change within Public Works will allow the Solid Waste Division to align the job title and duties with actual work requirements.