SUPERINTENDENT, RECYCLING OPERATIONS

Code: 07721 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, serves as the chief operating officer by organizing, supervising, and directing all staff activities involved in the operation, maintenance, material handling, and administration of recycling/compost facilities; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Analyzes work requirements, and determines staff resources, equipment, and other resources needed to accomplish work assignments, and make adjustments among subordinate units as deemed appropriate.

Establishes and adjusts long-range schedules, priorities, and deadlines for regular and special work assignments, and coordinates work schedules among subordinate units.

Reviews, approves, modifies, or rejects changes in functions, structure, position design, staffing levels, and the like proposed by subordinates and collaborates with higher levels of management in making decisions relating to major changes in work plans or operations.

Coordinates work operations among subordinate units and with other organizations on matters that may adversely affect other operations or programs.

Reviews and analyzes records and reports of work procedures costs, and equipment, and staff resource utilization in order to evaluate progress, and to control or reduce costs.

Reports progress and resolution of problems in the achievement of goals and objectives to higher levels of management.

Directs the accomplishment of assigned work operations within the limits of policies and guidelines established by management officials, and oral and written instructions provided by superiors. Completed work is evaluated by superiors for overall effective and economical use of personnel, equipment, materials, and methods to meet goals and quality standards.

PLANNING

Plans and schedules work assignments on a long-range basis for accomplishment by the units supervised within schedules and priorities established by higher levels of management.

Analyzes work schedules, determines manpower, equipment, material requirements, and methods to be used and plans work assignments considering availability of manpower and equipment, deadlines, and other work projects for which he is responsible.

Provides information and advice to higher levels of management on such matters as ability to accomplish work assignments as scheduled, budget estimates, changes in work procedures and standards, rearrangement of machinery, or other changes in facilities.

WORK DIRECTION

Translates basic management goals and objectives into effective work operations; establishes a good working climate to encourage employees to participate in achieving management goals, and to promote efficient and economical work operations.

Schedules, coordinates, and directs the accomplishment of work operations by subordinates. Determines personnel, material, equipment, and facilities needed.

Establishes basic priorities and work sequences, and maintains balanced workload among subordinates through proper distribution of work projects and allotment of manpower, equipment, and materials.

ADMINISTRATION

Is directly responsible to key management officials for all personnel and administrative matters involving the organization supervised. Within the limits of policies, regulations, and procedures established by management, has final authority for personnel and administrative actions.

Positions in this category supervise at least three or more employees on a regular and recurring basis. Such supervision typically occupies a significant or substantial portion of the employee's working time and is not infrequent, incidental, emergency, or temporary in nature.

A substantial portion of the employee's time includes directing and guiding subordinates in the performance of their duties, coordinating the work of the units, instructing new employees in the performance of their duties and reviewing and evaluating the work performance of subordinates.

The employees in this class may perform duties representative of those performed by subordinates, but the performance of such duties does not encompass the majority of the employee's time and is merely and adjunct to the supervisory responsibilities.

The purpose of the composting activities is to convert sewage sludge, leaves, grass clippings or other similar vegetative waste into an inert composted material suitable to be disposed of in a manner which would not be a health hazard nor would contaminate the environment.

Sewage sludge (a mixture of sewage solids and water) is processed through the sludge dewatering process which removes most of the water by compacting the solids. These solids in turn are mixed with woodchips, stacked in a predetermined format and cured by its own "fermentation" throughout a considerable period of time. Afterwards, the woodchips and composted sludge are separated. Woodchips are reused and the compost material distributed for use in growing lawns and flowers or as landfill.

Leaves, grass clippings or similar vegetative waste are collected, loaded into a tub grinder and, after grinding, the material is loaded into a rotary screen in order to remove foreign objects such as sticks, stones, metal, etc., and to retain usable compost. The compost material is then placed in windrows with at least a ten foot wide base and at least six feet in height. Windrows are turned frequently, using a windrow compost turner, to maintain the air, moisture, and temperature required for rapid composting. The compost is then prepared for market or distribution.

Recyclable material are those materials which would otherwise become solid waste, which may be collected, separated or processed and returned to the economic mainstream in the form of raw materials or products.

Recycling facility is a facility at which materials which would otherwise become solid waste, are collected, separated or processed and returned to the economic mainstream in the form of raw materials or products.

Examples of work

• Supervises all operational aspects of the recycling/compost facilities to ensure that they are accomplished in a safe, efficient manner in accordance with all governmental requirements and policies.
• Works and coordinates with the District Recycling Coordinator to make arrangements with the municipalities for scheduling the usage of the compost operation facility. Investigates markets for recyclable materials and makes recommendations on contracts for the sale of the recycled materials.
• Analyzes work to be accomplished and establishes procedures for its accomplishment.
• Establishes preventative maintenance schedules for the recycling facilities equipment in order to reduce undue wear.
• Supervises and works with staff engaged in operating, repairing, and maintaining functional parts and the mechanical equipment at the recycling facility, composting facility, and other recycling operations.
• Oversees the compost and tire program operations.
• Coordinates schedules for delivery of recyclables with the municipalities and private carters.
• Determines supplies, materials, equipment needed, and submits specifications to the Purchasing Department for procurement.
• Recommends to appointing authority actions such as hiring, transfers, and disciplinary actions of employees under his supervision.
• Determines and supervises structural modifications and improvements to recycling/composting facilities and equipment.
• Arranges for transport of the recyclable materials to the designated markets, if required.
• Maintains records concerning the facilities operations, problems, and corrective actions taken.
• Prepares budgets, as required, for the recycling operations.
• Supervises the staff in "clean-up" operations to ensure that sanitary standards are met.
• When malfunctions occur, analyzes situation, diagnoses problems(s) and takes proper action to see that needed repairs are made with a minimum delay.
• May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Five (5) years of experience involved with the operation of a recycling center and the marketing of recyclable materials as well as the operation, repair, and maintenance of large scale recycling equipment and machines, two (2) of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the mechanical functioning of materials handling equipment of methods and procedures utilized in the repair and maintenance of such equipment and plant facilities and the preparation and marketing of recyclable materials.
• Knowledge of effective supervisory and administrative principles and practices.
• Ability to prepare and administer budgets, maintain records and establish programs.
• Ability to diagnose mechanical problems.
• Ability to establish work schedules.
• Ability to give direction and guidance to subordinate staff.
• Ability to work harmoniously with the public staff.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.