Solid Waste Operations Supervisor

Career Guide

A Solid Waste Operations Supervisor oversees day-to-day collection and disposal operations to keep routes running safely, on time, and within budget. The role leads frontline crews, coordinates equipment and facilities, resolves service issues, and ensures compliance with safety and environmental rules.

Browse All Roles

Key Responsibilities

Supervise daily waste and recycling collection operations
Assign routes and balance workloads across crews
Conduct pre-shift safety briefings and enforce safe work practices
Monitor service quality and respond to missed pickup reports
Coordinate vehicle availability and schedule maintenance with mechanics
Investigate incidents and near-misses and document corrective actions
Train drivers and crew members on procedures and equipment use
Track productivity and overtime and recommend staffing adjustments
Inspect containers, transfer areas, and work sites for hazards
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations
Communicate with residents, customers, and municipal partners
Maintain accurate logs for routes, tonnage, tickets, and inspections

Top Skills for Success

Team Leadership

Safety Management

Route Planning

Incident Investigation

Customer Service

Conflict Resolution

Scheduling

Fleet Coordination

Regulatory Compliance

Coaching

Time Management

Report Writing

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Operations Manager

Route Manager

Fleet Manager

Safety Manager

Transfer Station Supervisor

Transition Opportunities

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

Training Manager

Compliance Coordinator

Municipal Services Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

People DevelopmentData TrackingCost ControlUnion Environment ExperienceRegulatory DocumentationEquipment Familiarity

Development SuggestionsBuild strength in coaching and performance feedback, tighten documentation habits for inspections and incidents, and practice using basic operational metrics such as missed stops, overtime, and vehicle downtime to guide decisions. Seek cross-training with maintenance, safety, and dispatch teams to broaden operational coverage.

Market Intelligence Report

Solid Waste Operations Supervisor is part of the Transportation Operations category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

See the market intelligence report

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry Level$50,000 to $65,000

Mid Level$65,000 to $85,000

Senior Level$85,000 to $110,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand driven by ongoing municipal services, tighter safety requirements, and efforts to expand recycling and organics programs. Hiring is strongest in growing metro areas and regions facing driver shortages.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Waste ManagementRepublic ServicesWaste ConnectionsGFL EnvironmentalClean HarborsRecologyCasella Waste SystemsRumpkeStericycleLocal city and county public works departments

Industry Sectors

Municipal solid waste servicesRecycling servicesTransfer stationsLandfillsComposting operationsIndustrial waste servicesHealthcare waste servicesPublic sector sanitation

Recommended Next Steps

Earn or refresh safety credentials relevant to fleet operations and field work

Shadow dispatch for route planning and service recovery workflows

Create a simple weekly dashboard for missed pickups, overtime, and incidents

Lead one improvement project focused on on-time completion or safety observations

Request training on regulatory reporting and inspection requirements

Develop a coaching plan for new hires and underperforming team members

Build relationships with maintenance to improve preventive maintenance adherence

Prepare a promotion-ready portfolio with results, such as reduced incidents or improved route completion