Solid Waste Management Section Chief

State of Indiana•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

The Solid Waste Management Section Chief is the section’s senior administrative and technical leader at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The role directs engineering, geology, and project management functions and oversees a multidisciplinary team, relying on Working Leaders to evaluate technical work in their disciplines. The Section Chief ensures technical reviews, permitting evaluations, and other deliverables are accurate, defensible, and completed within required timelines. The position establishes long-range goals aligned with branch and agency priorities, manages staffing and workload, maintains technical and administrative performance, makes decisions about section operations, and coordinates work across disciplines. Personnel duties include developing staff, hiring and onboarding, providing guidance, conducting annual performance evaluations, and signing or delegating official correspondence and technical decisions. The role also represents IDEM in interactions with regulated entities, consultants, local governments, and the public. The essential functions include planning section activities and procedures, preparing budget recommendations, supporting policy and rule development, interpreting regulations, ensuring EPA grant and reporting requirements are met, reviewing staff work for quality and compliance, and referring appropriate matters to enforcement or other programs. The Section Chief communicates section goals and instructions to staff and external stakeholders, recruits and trains employees, sets expectations, provides feedback, and evaluates employee performance. Other duties may be assigned. The position is exempt from overtime compensation and may require work beyond 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Public Health, or a related field.
At least 7 years of professional experience in an environmental science-related field.
At least 2 years of the required experience in an administrative, leadership, managerial, or supervisory capacity.
Thorough and extensive knowledge of environmental management theories, practices, principles, and related areas.
Working knowledge and application of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety practices and procedures.
Thorough knowledge of physical science principles, including chemistry, biology, and physics, as they relate to the program area.
Thorough knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations and the ability to apply them in varied conditions and situations.
Ability to establish long- and short-term project management goals and objectives.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with local, state, and federal groups and government representatives.
Ability to coordinate a work unit and review and evaluate staff technical reports and data.
Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow.
Ability to provide feedback, guidance, or corrective action and to coach and develop employee skills.
Accredited college training may substitute for required experience, except administrative, leadership, managerial, or supervisory experience, up to a maximum of four years.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

Develop methods and procedures for meeting section goals and contribute to environmental program success.
Plan section activities and daily workflow to meet production expectations and long- and short-term goals.
Prepare section budget justifications and recommendations.
Provide technical support for policy and rule development.
Interpret rules and policies and ensure EPA grant and reporting requirements are met.
Review staff work and direct activities to ensure quality, accuracy, and compliance with laws, regulations, agency policies, and section objectives.
Refer issues to enforcement, other programs, or agencies when appropriate.
Represent IDEM in meetings with applicants, local governments, consultants, regulated entities, and the public.
Communicate section goals and activities to the public, other sections, offices, and agencies, and provide staff with technical and administrative instructions.
Recruit, select, onboard, train, guide, and develop employees.
Set employee expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate performance.
Manage section staffing, workload balance, and coordination across engineering, geology, and project management.
Sign or delegate official correspondence and technical decisions as appropriate.

Benefits

Three medical plan options, including prescription coverage, and vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program with gift card rewards
Health savings account with bi-weekly state contributions
Deferred compensation 457(b) account with employer match
Two fully funded pension plan options
Paid New Parent Leave and paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Paid community service leave
Combined paid vacation, personal, and sick leave
Paid holidays
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program with covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access