Solid Waste Management Section Chief

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM): Our mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial, and governmental activities vital to a prosperous economy. We issue air, water, and solid and hazardous waste permits that restrict discharges to environmentally safe levels. Staff members inspect and monitor regulated entities; provide compliance and technical assistance; monitor and assess air, land, and water quality; use enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance; and respond to incidents involving spills to soil or waters of the state.

Role Overview:

The Section Chief for the Solid Waste Management Section serves as the sections senior administrative and technical leader, responsible for directing all engineering, geology, and project management functions within the section. The position oversees a diverse team that includes one Environmental Engineer 1 Working Leader, one Environmental Engineer 1, two Environmental Engineer 2s, one Geologist 1 Working Leader, one Geologist 1, two Geologist 2s, two Senior Environmental Managers, and two Environmental Managers 2, relying on Working Leaders to evaluate technical work in their respective disciplines. The Section Chief ensures that technical reviews, permitting evaluations, and other required deliverables are completed accurately, defensibly, and within mandated timelines. Key leadership responsibilities include setting long range section goals aligned with branch and agency priorities, managing staff allocation and workload balance, ensuring consistently high technical and administrative performance, serving as the primary decision maker for section operations, and coordinating work across engineering, geology, and project management to resolve conflicts and maintain efficiency. Administrative and personnel duties involve directing staff development, conducting hiring and onboarding, providing both technical and administrative guidance, completing annual performance evaluations, and signing or delegating official correspondence and technical decisions as appropriate. Additionally, the Section Chief represents IDEM in meetings with regulated entities, consultants, local governments, and the public, ensuring regulatory compliance and adherence to review timeframes.

Top Skills Required:

Leadership & Staff Development: Ability to lead and develop a multidisciplinary team through clear direction, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Regulatory & Technical Oversight: Deep knowledge of state and federal environmental laws, rules, and policies; ensures compliant, high quality technical work.

Operational Management: Skilled at organizing workflow, maintaining section priorities, and ensuring timely, accurate completion of work products aligned with agency standards.

Salary:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $75,010.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

Program Planning & Administration

Makes major contributions to the success of environmental programs in the state by developing the methods and procedures for meeting section goals.

Plans the activities of the section to meet expected work production including daily workflow as well as long- and short-term goals.

Prepares section budget justification and recommendations.

Provides technical support for policy and rule development.

Compliance, Quality Assurance & Regulatory Alignment

Interprets rules and policies used by the section. Ensures all EPA grant and reporting requirements are met.

Reviews work of section staff and directs activities to ensure quality, accuracy and conformance with applicable rules, laws, regulations, agency policies/goals and section objectives.

Refers issues to enforcement section, other programs, or agencies when deemed appropriate.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

Represents the agency in meetings with external customers including applicants, local government, consultants, and the general public.

Provides effective communication to the public, other sections, offices and agencies to ensure a broad understanding of the goals and activities of the section.

Provides written and verbal instructions to subordinates concerning technical and administrative information or changes.

Leadership, Staff Management & Development

Provides guidance and assistance to staff ensuring they are properly trained.

Recruits, selects, onboards, and trains employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.

Sets expectations, measures progress, provides ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensures work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

Thorough and extensive knowledge of theories, practices and principles of Environmental Management and related areas.

Working knowledge and application of the Occupational Safety and Health

Thorough knowledge of theories, practices, and principals of physical sciences (chemistry, biology, physics) as they relate to program area.

Thorough knowledge of federal and state regulations as they apply to program area and the ability to apply these in a variety of conditions and situations.

Ability to establish long- and short-term project management goals and objectives.

Ability to effectively interact with local, state, and federal groups and government representatives orally and in writing.

Ability to coordinate a work unit, reviewing and evaluating technical reports and data of staff.

Administration (OSHA) safety practices and procedures.

Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow.

Ability to effectively give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets.

a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Public Health or a related field with at least 7 years of professional experience in an environmental science related field required. At least 2 years of the required experience must be in an administrative, leadership, managerial, or supervisory capacity.

Accredited college training may substitute for the required experience, except for the administrative, leadership, managerial, or supervisory experience, with a maximum substitution of four (4) years.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match

Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers

Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

Education Reimbursement Program

Group life insurance

Referral Bonus program

Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Free Parking for most positions

Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov .