Outreach and Communications Program Manager

Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 (4 p.m.)

Reporting to the Program Manager III (Outreach, Education and Compliance), the primary responsibilities of the Program Manager I/II (Outreach and Communications) will be overseeing the agency’s waste reduction, recycling, composting and proper sorting outreach programs and community outreach to fulfill RethinkWaste’s mission, vision and guiding principles. Strong writing, proofreading/editing, public speaking and multi-media communications skills are required. This is a full-time, benefited position

Principal Responsibilities 

• Develop, manage, and implement outreach and communication programs that engage commercial and residential ratepayers across RethinkWaste’s Member Agency communities on garbage, recycling, and compost collection services and other special waste collection and waste reduction programs. Includes overseeing outreach programs and campaigns, including production of various communications materials in digital, video, print, or other appropriate formats (e.g. website, brochures, newsletters, reports, posters) and making public presentations, writing press releases, and working with traditional and social media to promote RethinkWaste’s programs and messages. Also develop methods for tracking outreach effectiveness. 

• Coordinate annual public-facing agency community events (Earth Day in Spring and Rethink Recycling Day in Fall) and external events and activities (webinars, community swaps, presentations, workshops, etc.) and tracking of the events. 

• Work closely with RethinkWaste’s franchised hauler’s outreach team to ensure contract compliance. 

• Collaborate with internal staff, the franchised hauler, and the Public Education and Outreach Committee to update and manage the agency’s Public Education and Recycling Technical Assistance Plan, ensuring consistency with the hauler’s franchise agreement. Oversee the implementation of the Public Spaces Diversion Program work done by fellow staff. 

• Coordinate shred and e-scrap events on behalf of Member Agencies per their Franchise Agreements. 

• Prepare staff reports and slide presentations for Member Agencies, Board of Directors/Technical Advisory Committee Meetings, and other stakeholders, as needed. 

• Develop and give presentations in public forums, including to the general public, Board of Directors and Technical Advisory Committee.

• Manage, orient, train, mentor and evaluate regular staff and/or fellow(s). 

• Prepare draft annual budget and manage line-item budgets and timelines related to primary areas of responsibility. 

• Serve as agency’s primary contact with the Bay Area Recycling Coalition (BayROC). 

• Co-Lead the ad-hoc Public Outreach and Education Committee with Environmental Education Manager. Page 2 of 5 

• Monitor grant opportunities, prepare grant proposals, and administer grants related to outreach and communications. Provide additional outreach-related Member Agency staff support, as needed. 

• Work with and support other managers, as needed. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Distinguishing Characteristics 

This position requires strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills and experience, and a documented track record of success. An abiding commitment to the agency’s stakeholders, backed by a client and customer service mentality, is also required. The position requires extensive interaction with local governments (staff and elected officials), outside contractors, internal staff, and the public.