Salary: $52.11 - $57.46 Hourly
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: 5037-26
Department: Environmental Services
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
Are you a proactive, human-centered leader who excels at motivating teams, guiding operations, and delivering exceptional customer service? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where you help shape services that meet the diverse needs of the community? If so, this may be the opportunity you've been looking for!

The City of Tacoma is recruiting for a Solid Waste Route Supervisor in our Environment & Public Works Department. We are seeking candidates with strong leadership abilities, a collaborative mindset, and a proven track record of providing customer-focused services in a team-oriented setting. We recognize that leadership experience is gained in many ways and applicants with transferrable skills in supervision, coordination, or customer-focused work are encouraged to apply.

Our ideal candidate will be a person who has many of the following competencies:

• Situational Adaptability - Picks up on situational cues and adjusts in the moment. Readily adapts personal, interpersonal, and leadership behavior. Understands that different situations may call for different approaches.
• Builds Effective Teams - Forms teams with appropriate and diverse mix of styles, perspectives, and experience. Establishes common objectives and a shared mindset. Creates a feeling of belonging and strong team morale.
• Optimizes Work Processes - Identifies and creates the processes necessary to get work done. Seeks ways to improve processes, from small tweaks to complete reengineering.
• Self-Development - Shows personal commitment and takes action to continuously improve. Accepts assignments that broaden capabilities
• Communicates Effectively - Is effective in a variety of communication settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, or among diverse styles and position levels. Attentively listens and encourages open expression of diverse ideas and opinions.
• Decision Quality - Makes informed decisions, even in the absence of complete information. Relies on a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment when making decisions.
• Directs Work - Provides clear direction and accountabilities. Delegates and distributes assignments and decisions appropriately. Monitors progress by maintaining open communication on work and results.
• Resourcefulness - Marshals resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done. Applies knowledge of internal structures, processes, and culture to resourcing efforts.
• Ensures Accountability - Takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures. Establishes clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results.
• Values Safety - Promotes a safe work culture and work environment.

In the Environment & Public Works Department we believe everything we do supports healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound, leaving a better Tacoma for all. The Focus on healthy neighborhoods and a Thriving Puget Sound defines the core values of the Environmental Services Department and our clear focus on: Customers, Employees and Operations with the three following statements:

• Customers- Partner with the community on customer-valued services to meet the diverse needs of Tacoma neighborhoods
• Employees- Foster safe culture built on trust, conversation and equity
• Operations- Operate using best practices and innovation to meet changing environmental and community needs.

HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS + THRIVING PUGET SOUND = A BETTER TACOMA

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in supervision of daily operations of solid waste collection and transfer activities; assist in developing, planning, organizing, scheduling and monitoring solid waste collection and transfer activities to ensure safe and efficient operations
• Investigate and resolve customer service and nuisance code complaints; educate customers on Tacoma Municipal code requirements and enforce compliance when necessary; contact and provide information to residential customers and local businesses regarding appropriate waste collection, disposal services and recycling practices and procedures; recommend service-level rate adjustments when necessary
• Develop and implement work schedules to assure efficient service; dispatch personnel, assign tasks and equipment
• Respond to solid waste fleet vehicle incidents, fluid spills and property damage; mitigate environmental impacts and oversee cleanup measures; conduct vehicle incident and spill investigations, prepare applicable reports
• Coordinate with drivers and fleet personnel to ensure that scheduled repairs and maintenance of assigned equipment are completed; conduct routine fleet vehicle, equipment and safety audits
• Supervise and evaluate the work of assigned personnel; develop and communicate expectations; provide coaching and feedback; facilitate required safety and operational training; conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings; perform disciplinary action as appropriate; prepare employee development objectives and conduct performance reviews
• Analyze customer data, route data, tonnages, waste types and collection methods to develop efficient collection routes; develop key performance indicators and prepare and maintain a variety of associated operational records and reports
• Promote and foster a culture focused on safety; work with Safety personnel to develop and maintain safety programs and procedures
• Operate a variety of office equipment and machines such as a computer, radio and telephone; operate a motor vehicle including pickup trucks as needed
• Perform related duties as assigned

Qualifications
An equivalent combination to: graduation from high school (or equivalent) AND:

Three (3) years of increasingly-responsible experience in solid waste operations providing work direction to others

OR

Three (3) years of increasingly-responsible experience in a customer service field resolving customer complaints and providing work direction to others

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Washington State driver's license at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter.
• Obtain First Aid certification and Flagger certification within six (6) months of appointment with maintenance thereafter.
• Obtain Asbestos Hazard emergency Response Act (AHERA) certification, at the expense of the Solid Waste Division, within one (1) year of appointment with maintenance thereafter.

Knowledge & Skills

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of effective leadership principles and team supervision
• Understanding of customer service best practices and community-focused service delivery
• Familiarity with operational planning and coordination in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of communication strategies for guiding, motivating, and supporting staff
• Awareness of methods for evaluating service performance and implementing improvements
• Understanding of workplace safety practices and adherence to departmental standards
• General knowledge of City of Tacoma streets

SKILLS:

• Ability to learn laws, regulations and rate schedules related to solid waste operations and apply knowledge to specific field problems
• Plan, coordinate and schedule the work of others
• Maintain a courteous and cooperative relationship with the general public and others
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Strong written and oral communication
• Basic computer skills, software applications, and radio procedures
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices

NOTE: Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it!
Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $52.11 - $57.46

Annual Salary: $108,388.80 - $119,516.80
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The Stat