Solid Waste & Recycling Coordinator

Summary of Functions

The Solid Waste / Recycling Coordinator is responsible for implementing, organizing, and overseeing the Tribe’s integrated solid waste and recycling programs to ensure safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible operations. This position conducts the daily operations of the solid waste drop box facility / recycling center while supporting both short‑ and long‑term project and program implementation efforts, grant management activities, and community outreach coordination.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in the operation and maintenance of the Tribe’s community water, wastewater, and solid waste systems.

• Conduct day‑to‑day operations of the Solid Waste Drop Box Facility and Recycling Center, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant handling of all materials.
• Monitor material flow, identify recyclable materials and oversee waste / recyclable material sorting, baling, transfer, and storage processes, and ensure proper disposal / recycle practices.
• Ensure the Solid Waste Drop Box Facility, Recycling Center, recycling pick-up locations, dumpster sites, and Tribal properties / parking lots and roads maintain a high level of cleanliness, organization, and adherence to environmental and safety standards
• Provide supervision and training to volunteers, ensuring consistent adherence to all safety protocols and established operational procedures
• Enforce Tribal, state, and federal regulations governing solid waste, recycling, hazardous materials, and workplace safety.
• Maintain accurate logs of waste volumes, recycling statistics, equipment maintenance, inspections, and service activities.
• Prepare operational reports and contribute data for Tribal departments, regulatory agencies, and grant funding requirements.
• Coordinate and oversee projects such as facility upgrades, equipment replacement, new service offerings, or sustainability initiatives.
• Assist in developing short‑ and long‑term operational plans to improve solid waste and recycling services.
• Coordinate services with waste haulers, recycling processors, maintenance contractors, and equipment vendors.
• Review and verify billing, service invoices, and contract performance for accuracy and compliance
• Participate in identifying grant opportunities, maintaining compliance documentation, and preparing progress or final reports.
• Develop and distribute educational materials, signage, and messages that promote recycling and waste‑reduction practice
• Plan and host community events such as recycling drives, cleanup days, and educational workshops
• Provide courteous, responsive service to Tribal members, residents, and departments using the facility.
• Oversee routine maintenance and inspections of compactors, balers, vehicles, and safety equipment.
• Operate compactors, balers, skid steers, forklifts, and other equipment used for processing waste and recyclables safely and efficiently.
• Conduct minor grounds maintenance tasks, such as mowing, weed control, sweeping, snow removal, and clearing debris around waste facilities and drop‑box sites.
• Provide on‑site guidance to residents, Tribal members, and visitors regarding proper waste disposal, recycling procedures, and safe unloading practices.
• Manually sort recyclable materials, remove contaminants, and ensure high‑quality bales or shipments.
• Conduct scheduled garbage and recycling pick‑ups at the homes of Tribal Elders, ensuring timely, consistent, and dependable service.

• Overseeing the safe collection, handling, and removal of hazardous waste and ensure that all hazardous materials are properly identified, packaged, transported, and disposed of through approved vendors or facilities
• Monitor users to ensure only authorized individuals access the site and enforce Tribal rules or bylaws regarding waste disposal
• Monitor for illegal dumping, hazardous waste issues, or safety concerns and report them to appropriate departments.
• Must be willing to work overtime and respond to unscheduled or irregular hours as operational needs arise, including evenings, weekends, and special events.
• Employee work schedule is subject to regular shift adjustments, including assigned weekend shifts, based on operational needs.
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position may be responsible for supervising solid waste and recycling volunteers, including assigning tasks, providing guidance, monitoring performance, and ensuring safe and effective completion of program activities

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Associate Degree or relevant coursework in business, environmental science, communication, or related fields preferred.
• Completion of SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America) training or certification program preferred.

Experience

• 1-2 years of Solid Waste experience preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Proficiency in data collection, report preparation, and documentation
• Capability to implement standard operating procedures
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in oral, written, and graphic formats
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships
• Capability to work with diverse audiences
• Skill in providing direction to volunteers
• Capacity to safely operate solid waste and recycling equipment including, Vehicles, skid steers, plastic shredders, balers, ext..
• Must be capable of working independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate strong time‑management skills

Other Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain Work Permit Level 1.
• Valid Motor vehicle operator’s license and insurance, and insurability under the Tribal vehicle insurance program.
• Valid First Aid & CPR card, must obtain within 6 months of employment
• HAZWOPER 24- or 40 hour (if dealing with hazardous materials) or ability to obtain with 6 months of employment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with applicable law.

• This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, lift, carry, and move items weighting up to 80 pounds.
• Portions of job require extended periods of heavy lifting and overhead work and the wearing of protective clothing and gear. Work is performed both in-doors and out of doors under varied (hot, cold, wet, dry) weather conditions.
• This position requires significant amounts of standing or walking.

• This position requires occasional local travel.  Additional travel may be required to attend out of area training.

• This position requires the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• This position requires occasional amounts of overtime.

• Weekend work, shift work, and on-call status, may be required.

Hiring Preference

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is an Equal opportunity employer. Consistent with federal law, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians applies Indian preference in employment. It is the policy of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians to give preference in hiring, promotions, and transfers into vacant positions to qualified applicants in the following order: 1) Kalispel Tribal Members; 2) Descendant or Spouse of an enrolled Kalispel Tribal Member; 3) enrolled members of other Indian Tribes; 4) all other applicants.

Disclaimer: Certain Licenses and Certification requirements can be obtained once hired.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.