Disposal Operations Management Trainee - South Florida

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is a leading provider of comprehensive waste disposal, recycling, and environmental services across North America. Established with a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and operational excellence, WM plays a critical role in helping communities and businesses manage their waste efficiently and in an environmentally responsible manner. WM operates a variety of facilities including landfills, transfer stations, and recycling centers, serving millions of customers and fostering a culture focused on safety, environmental stewardship, and customer service.

The Disposal Operations Management Trainee (DOMT) position offered by WM is a unique and intensive developmental training role based in Florida, with possible placements in Medley, Naples, or Pompano Beach. The position is designed as an up to 18-month comprehensive training program under the guidance of frontline managers such as Area Directors of Disposal Operations, Landfill District Managers, and Operations Managers. This program aims to cultivate future operations leaders equipped to manage landfill operations with expertise in various critical areas. These areas include safety protocols, environmental compliance and permitting, financial and accounting functions, personnel management, heavy equipment operation and maintenance, community relations, landfill engineering and construction, gas and leachate management, and effective waste stream management and sales.

Trainees in this program will actively engage in hands-on projects, participate in mandatory group training sessions, and complete a rigorous curriculum offered through WM's Learning Management System. The curriculum encompasses foundational, intermediate, and advanced training levels, providing a progressive learning path. Through experiential efforts, trainees will gain practical knowledge in managing day-to-day landfill operations including waste placement, compaction, traffic flow, stormwater management, and fill sequencing. Additionally, the program emphasizes leadership development by focusing on managing site personnel and fostering a safety-focused culture through collaboration with corporate and local safety teams.

Beyond operational skills, this role offers significant exposure to technical landfill engineering concepts such as cell excavation, earthwork, slope stability, and geosynthetic deployment. Trainees will also delve into regulatory frameworks surrounding environmental monitoring and compliance, learning to interact with various regulatory agencies and review site permits. Financial acumen is developed through experience with forecasting, reporting, and understanding the economics behind waste stream pricing and sales.

The DOMT position represents a robust career development opportunity, preparing individuals for roles such as Operations Managers, District Managers, and eventually Directors of Disposal Operations or other senior leadership positions within WM. The program encourages flexibility and mobility, as trainees must be open to potential relocation upon completion of the training. This role suits individuals seeking a dynamic, hands-on learning environment within the waste management sector and who are eager to make a positive impact on environmental sustainability and community relations.