Waste Services Assistant Director-Finance

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Waste Services Assistant Director – Finance supports the Waste Services Director by providing strategic financial leadership, operational oversight, and administrative direction for the financial functions of the Waste Services Department. The role assists with planning, organizing, and coordinating departmentwide activities while leading budgeting, forecasting, funding coordination, capital planning, fee and contract analysis, financial reporting, and regulatory financial compliance. The incumbent oversees assigned divisions and management staff and ensures financial practices align with Metro Government policies and waste-management industry standards. Waste Services provides weekly curbside waste collection and every-other-week curbside recycling collection for more than 151,000 customers in the urban services district, and collects more than 200 public litter baskets in downtown Nashville. The division operates four convenience centers and eight drop-off recycling locations. Its staff work in collection, administration, customer service, education, landfill engineering, development review, and outreach. The position works under broad administrative guidance, with latitude for independent decision-making under the direction of the Waste Services Director. The role directly supervises division managers or supervisors and indirectly oversees all employees within the assigned division.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and seven years of experience in waste services, public administration, environmental services, finance, accounting, or a related field.
Five years of management experience overseeing financial operations, budgeting, or administrative management in a public-sector or waste-management setting.
Additional experience in finance management or related areas may be considered in lieu of education at a 1:1 ratio.
Employees must be residents of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six months of employment.
Candidates with accreditations earned at a foreign institution are encouraged to apply.

Nice To Haves

Experience in financial planning, forecasting, multi-year budgeting, and capital project funding.
Experience directing complex financial and operational activities in a large organization.
Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), or related certification.

Responsibilities

Lead financial planning and develop short- and long-range financial strategies to support department goals and community needs.
Assist in preparing, managing, and monitoring the department’s annual operating and capital budgets.
Conduct complex financial analysis, including cost-benefit evaluations, usage studies, rate and fee modeling, and operational efficiency assessments.
Oversee coordination of funding from Local, State, and Federal sources; assist with grant development, compliance, and reporting.
Direct preparation of administrative, operational, and technical financial reports for internal and external stakeholders.
Recommend financial policies, procedures, and methods to strengthen controls, improve efficiency, and support program goals.
Provide financial guidance for solid waste collection, disposal, landfill management, recycling programs, contracts, and capital projects.
Preplan emergency financial operations and resource needs in coordination with department leaders and governmental agencies.
Engage with public officials, community groups, and stakeholders to communicate financial impacts, program initiatives, and operational needs.
Direct and evaluate activities within an assigned division or financial section.
Oversee division-level budget administration and ensure expenditures align with approved funding and departmental priorities.
Review and evaluate staff performance; provide coaching, development, and disciplinary actions when necessary.
Interpret departmental rules, policies, and procedures for staff and ensure compliance with applicable financial regulations.
Assign and review management staff work and support continuous improvement of division operations.
Directly supervise division managers or supervisors and indirectly oversee all employees within the division.