Position Summary:

The Zero Waste Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the SJCC+CS recycling and Zero Waste social enterprise. This role combines strategic leadership, operational management, and workforce development to ensure the program meets its goals for job training, revenue generation, and environmental impact.

Key responsibilities include developing and implementing recycling and waste diversion projects funded through government grants and customer contracts, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and high-quality service delivery. The Director will lead efforts to expand the program’s reach by identifying and developing new revenue streams and creating additional training opportunities for corpsmembers.

The position also includes oversight of SJCC+CS disaster response deployments, which currently fall under the Zero Waste program. While the Director manages the planning, coordination, and professionalism of these deployments, they are not required to deploy personally each time.

Overall, the Zero Waste Director is responsible for maintaining excellence in program operations, fostering innovation, and expanding SJCC+CS’s Zero Waste initiatives into new markets while upholding the organization’s mission of environmental stewardship and workforce development.

Job Duties:

Social Enterprise Management

• Manages the overall operations of the recycling social enterprise to achieve the triple bottom line goals: financial, social and environmental.
• Plans and implements commercial collections program. Negotiates contracts for commercial recycling collections.
• Assures high level of professionalism and customer service.
• Coordinates all billing and contracts with Accounting & Finance Department.
• Negotiates sales of all recyclable materials.
• Determines the cost, potential funding, feasibility, and appropriateness of projects and programs.
• Assures compliance with all state and local health, safety, work and facilities requirements.
• Identifies growth areas and develops proformas for each new revenue stream
• Networks with jurisdictions, non-profits and for profits to build partnerships and grow the business.
• Public speaker/presenter
• Participates in professional conferences as needed by attending, presenting, and actively participating in dialogue.

Grants Management

• Manages CalRecycle annual grant including grant proposal submissions, record keeping, reporting, and submitting budget modifications.
• Develops recycling programs that comply with CalRecycle funding guidelines, currently focused on beverage containers, waste oil, used tires and e-waste. Identifies markets for existing and new recycling streams.
• Assists Development Department in providing information for other recycling and training grants.
• Develops and maintains relationships with state and local government agencies, recycling organizations and community agencies.
• Evaluates programs, tracks and documents results. Monitors and modifies programs to ensure they are completed within approved budgets. Prepares written evaluations on program accomplishments as required by the funding source.
• Submits all required reports accurately and on time.

Certification and Training Program

• Develop program standards and implement training and certification programs that prepare Corpsmembers for workforce integration.
• Provide coordination with SJCC career, college and case management counselors to assure Corpsmembers have access to all services available.

Staffing and Supervision

• Interviews, hires, and trains employees.
• Plans, assigns, and directs work.
• Conducts yearly performance evaluations and monitors professional development.
• Manages 2 direct reports and 13+ indirect reports plus 20-30 Corpsmembers.
• Periodically evaluates departmental structure and restructures as needed

Budget and Administrative

• Develops and monitors program budgets and modifies work projects and budgets as appropriate.
• Serves as member of SJCC+CS Leadership Team.
• Provides written program updates to the Board of Directors.

Minimum Qualifications:

• One of the following must apply:
  • High School Diploma or GED + 6 years of relevant work experience and/or training in recycling/zero waste management programs
  • Associate’s degree in related field + 5 years of relevant work experience and/or training in recycling/zero waste management programs
  • Bachelor’s degree in related field + 4 years of relevant work experience and/or training in recycling/zero waste management programs
• 4 years of experience managing personnel, leading teams, or overseeing the work of others.
• Knowledge of recycling policies, laws and requirements.
• Experience with public and/or private grant development; business and/or contract development.
• Commitment to environmental stewardship and working with urban youth.

Driving Record and Requirements: If the position is offered and accepted, candidates must submit a copy of their DMV driver’s record. The candidate also must possess and continue to maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in the United States. Please be informed that San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School will NOT sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

Medical Verification: State law requires all employees working with youth to provide medical verification of negative tuberculosis test results within the last year. Employees will also be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Background Check and Fingerprinting: If the position is offered and accepted, candidates will be required to undergo Live Scan Fingerprinting as well as a background check, which includes a state and federal criminal history record check.

Drug Screen: If the position is offered and accepted, candidates will be required to undergo and pass a 5-panel drug screen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) in Environmental Studies, Sustainability, or related field from college or university;
• Three years of program management experience involving training young adults;
• Public and/or private grant development;
• Business and/or contract development.