Disposal Operations Management Trainee (DOMT)

Job Description

Disposal Operations Management Trainee – Scranton, PA | WM

The Tone:
This is a full-time, structured developmental training program at WM, located in Scranton, PA, designed to last up to 18 months. WM is a leading provider of comprehensive waste management environmental services, dedicated to managing and reducing waste across North America. This role is crucial for developing future leaders who will ensure the safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant operation of disposal facilities, fostering a strong foundation for a career in operations management. Trainees will gain hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the diverse challenges and opportunities within the disposal sector, directly contributing to WM’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, Scranton, PA

• Team: Reports to WM frontline managers (e.g., Area Directors of Disposal Operations, Landfill District Managers, and Operations Managers), with the Landfill District Manager or Area Director of Disposal Operations serving as primary mentor.
• Mission: To develop a strong working knowledge of all aspects of day-to-day disposal operations at a WM landfill, preparing individuals for Operations Manager and District Manager roles with a clear career path to Directors of Disposal Operations.
• Tech Stack: WM Learning Management System

What You’ll Actually Do
• Training & Curriculum Completion: Successfully complete a comprehensive 18-month Disposal OMT curriculum, including Foundational, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, and participate in all mandatory group training sessions.
• Landfill Operations & Infrastructure Management: Develop expertise in day-to-day landfill management, including fill sequencing, waste placement, compaction, heavy equipment functionality and maintenance, and understand landfill design, construction, and control systems like leachate and landfill gas.
• Environmental Protection & Regulatory Compliance: Gain a complete understanding of environmental monitoring and protection issues, regulatory requirements, and site permits that exist at a landfill, including interaction with various regulatory agencies.
• Community & Personnel Leadership: Develop a strong sense of community affairs through actual participation in public events and processes, and learn to effectively manage site personnel, including non-exempt operators, through experiential efforts.
• Financial Acumen & Waste Stream Management: Develop an understanding of financial, accounting, and forecasting processes and systems, including proficiency in scale house operations, and learn how waste streams are sold and priced within WM’s sales and marketing organization.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Bachelor’s Degree (accredited); or in lieu of a degree, a High School Diploma or GED (accredited).
• Experience: For those with a High School Diploma or GED, 4 years of relevant work experience is required. Additionally, 5 years of relevant work experience with increased responsibility in construction, engineering, geology, operations management, or heavy equipment is required for all candidates.
• Skills: Day-to-day landfill operations, heavy equipment functionality, personnel management, environmental protection and permitting, financial and accounting processes, community relations, dedicated safety program adherence.
• Bonus: PE (Professional Engineer) certificate, RLS (Registered Land Surveyor) certificate, or PG (Professional Geologist) certificate.