The City of Huron, South Dakota, is seeking an experienced, future-focused Assistant Solid Waste Superintendent to support a critical department during a planned leadership transition. This position is anticipated to be a temporary, in-training role with the intent that the successful candidate will transition into the Solid Waste Superintendent position upon the planned retirement of the current Superintendent, contingent upon successful performance and City approval.

Salary: $79,755.82 Annually. This is a salaried position exempt from overtime.

About the role

Under administrative supervision, the Assistant Solid Waste Superintendent is responsible for assisting with the overall leadership, operation, and management of the City’s Solid Waste Department, including the Transfer Station, composting operations, and C & D (rubble) sites. The department oversees solid waste collection, disposal, composting, and recycling (single-stream and cardboard), while managing personnel, equipment, and financial resources.

During the in-training period, the Assistant Solid Waste Superintendent will:

• Learn and support all major operational areas, including collection routes, transfer station operations, recycling, composting, and rubble site management.
• Receive direct mentorship and training from the Superintendent in leadership, budgeting, regulatory compliance, and long-range planning.
• Help maintain operational stability, ensure regulatory compliance, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

The Assistant Superintendent is expected to lead with professionalism, sound judgment, and integrity; remain neutral and respectful; listen to diverse viewpoints; encourage employee input; and work cooperatively with staff, City leadership, Commissioners, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and the public.

Key responsibilities (during in-training period and beyond)

• Assist in planning, organizing, directing, and controlling solid waste programs, staff, and resources.
• Learn and help implement departmental policies, procedures, and safety standards in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Support preparation, submission, and administration of the operating and capital budgets; assist with monitoring revenues and expenditures; and learn vendor/contract and grant management.
• Help oversee collection route planning to ensure efficient, reliable, and cost-effective service for residential and commercial customers.
• Assist in responding to and resolving service complaints, operational issues, and citizen concerns in a professional and timely manner.
• Participate in inspections of facilities and disposal sites to ensure proper utilization and compliance with public health, insect, and rodent control regulations.
• Help coordinate equipment and vehicle maintenance scheduling, repairs, inventory control, and ordering of parts, chemicals, and supplies.
• Support preparation of required daily, weekly, monthly, and annual operational and financial reports for City leadership and regulatory agencies.
• Supervise and support full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff, with increasing responsibility for hiring, training, performance evaluation, coaching, and discipline as experience is gained.
• Promote a culture of safety, customer service, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.

Working conditions

• Combination of office and field work, with the majority of time spent on planning, supervision, and administration of operations.
• Work occurs in office settings and in environments typical of solid waste facilities, including exposure to dust, odors, noise, heat, cold, dampness, chemicals, and solid waste materials.
• Duties may occasionally require walking on uneven surfaces; bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing stairs or steps; and entering or inspecting vehicles, facilities, and equipment.
• May occasionally lift and move materials or equipment up to 50 pounds, and up to 75 pounds with assistance or mechanical aids.
• Uses computers and office equipment and must be able to safely access and observe field operations.
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.

The City of Huron in an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Minimum qualifications
• High school diploma or accredited GED required.
• Associate’s degree or higher in solid waste management, environmental science, business administration, or a related field strongly preferred. A combination of education, experience, and training may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of six (6) to eight (8) years of progressive experience in solid waste operations or a closely related field, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory or management role.
• Demonstrated experience with business and financial management, including budget development and administration, financial oversight, cost control, and working with public funds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the ability to prepare and analyze operational and financial reports.
• Valid South Dakota Driver’s License required; CDL Class A with manual transmission and air brakes endorsement preferred but not required.

Salary: $79,755.82 Annually. This is a salaried position exempt from overtime.