Manager, Solid Waste

Cochrane is located in the breathtaking Bow Valley corridor in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta. With a population of over 37,000 people, and growing steadily every year, Cochrane is a thriving town, surrounded by world-famous ranch country. Our western heritage is reflected in the Town's architecture and our friendly people. The Town of Cochrane welcomes innovative and skilled individuals to join our team of over 250 employees.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a Manager, Solid Waste & Stormwater to join our Utilities team and help shape the future of how our community manages waste, recycling, and stormwater utilities.

This role is ideal for a strategic, environmentally minded leader who thrives on building efficient systems, leading multidisciplinary teams, and developing sustainable, forward-thinking infrastructure solutions. Reporting to the Director, Utilities, the Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Town's solid waste, recycling, and waste diversion programs, including Eco Centre operations, curbside collection, and contracted services, while guiding the integration of stormwater management into the Utilities division.

If you're someone who thrives on creating innovative, community-focused solutions and wants to make a tangible environmental impact, this is your opportunity to lead a key municipal service that directly shapes Cochrane's environmental future.

Why build your career with Cochrane?

Cochrane is experiencing rapid growth, creating unique opportunities to influence how municipal services are planned, delivered, and sustained. As the Manager, Solid Waste & Stormwater, you'll have a direct impact on the development of integrated environmental and utility programs that advance sustainability, resilience, and service excellence.

Employees in our Utilities division enjoy a supportive and collaborative culture that values professional growth, innovation, and continuous improvement. In addition to competitive public sector compensation and comprehensive benefits, this role offers:

• The opportunity to lead strategic initiatives that reduce environmental impact and enhance community sustainability.
• Collaboration with senior leadership and Council on long-term environmental and capital planning.
• A chance to build Cochrane's integrated approach to solid waste and stormwater management from the ground up.
• Engagement in projects that directly contribute to Cochrane's Strategic Plan, Sustainability Plan, and Zero Waste Framework.

Cochrane fosters a positive, high-performing culture that emphasizes transparency, critical thinking, curiosity, and innovation. If you're ready to bring your leadership and technical expertise to a growing, environmentally conscious community, we'd love to have you join us.

What are some of the duties of the Manager, Solid Waste & Stormwater?

• Lead all aspects of solid waste and recycling operations, including Eco Centre, curbside collection, waste diversion programs, and contracted services.
• Guide the strategic integration of stormwater management into the Utilities division, developing policies, service models, and operational readiness.
• Develop and implement long-term strategies, policies, and capital plans that promote environmental sustainability, regulatory compliance, and financial accountability.
• Oversee stormwater infrastructure data collection, assessment, and lifecycle planning, collaborating with Water, Wastewater, and Engineering teams.
• Establish operational standards that integrate source water protection, watershed health, and climate resiliency objectives.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance management for staff, fostering teamwork, safety, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets, including forecasting, rate setting, and long-term financial planning.
• Oversee vendor contracts and ensure compliance with all municipal, provincial, and federal environmental regulations.
• Champion the Town's Zero Waste and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives to increase diversion and resource recovery.
• Oversee asset management programs for solid waste infrastructure, integrating lifecycle planning and future stormwater frameworks.
• Promote a culture of health, safety, and risk management through proactive training, inspections, and program implementation.
• Lead or participate in corporate projects, emergency response coordination, and sustainability initiatives that advance organizational goals.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

Education and Experience:Required:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in any of the following fields: Environmental Studies, Civil Engineering, Waste Management, Resource Management, Sustainability, Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in municipal utilities, solid waste/recycling, stormwater, or related infrastructure management.
• 3–5 years of leadership or supervisory experience in a multidisciplinary or unionized environment.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, rate setting, strategic planning, and contract administration.
• Experience in asset management, capital planning, or lifecycle forecasting considered a strong asset.
• Municipal or public-sector experience preferred.

Preferred:

• Advanced training or certification in waste management, environmental systems, or water resource management (e.g., SWANA, CEU, CNAM).
• Experience implementing climate adaptation or environmental sustainability initiatives within municipal or regulatory contexts.
• Proven success leading cross-departmental initiatives focused on resource recovery, watershed protection, or circular economy models.
• Familiarity with extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs and environmental reporting at the municipal or provincial level.
• Experience integrating stormwater management into municipal utilities or environmental services frameworks.

Skills and Abilities:Required:

• Comprehensive knowledge of solid waste, recycling, and stormwater management, including environmental legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams in a high-performing, unionized environment.
• Strong business and project management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and capital project delivery.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for technical reporting, Council presentations, and community engagement.
• Analytical and strategic problem-solving skills to develop innovative, data-driven, and sustainable operational solutions.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with contractors, regulators, community groups, and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with GIS, utility management, or asset management software.

Certifications, Licenses and/or Designations:Required:

• A valid Alberta Class 5 Driver's License

Preferred:

• Hazardous Household Waste (HHW) Certification, Canadian Environmental Professional (CEP) designation, or SWANA membership considered assets.
• ICS 100 and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (ATIP) training preferred.

Cochrane is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment for all employees, which means that everyone is responsible for health and safety. This means that you must take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of your colleagues, contractors, the public, and of course, yourself by following all relevant health and safety legislation and corporate policies.

Still interested? Here's how to apply:

• Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit your resume, and a letter stating how your experience match the required qualifications, skills, and abilities for this position.
• All candidates will be requested to complete an online suitability survey.
• Applications for this position will be accepted until 9pm MST November 26,2025. Please apply at
• Salary ranges between $127,207 and $135,897 based on 35 hours/week plus comprehensive health benefits and pension

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada.

Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut'ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.