Disposal Operations Management Trainee - Lennon, MI
WM
Operations
Flint, MI, USA
Posted on Mar 24, 2026
I. Job Summary
The Disposal Operations Management Trainee (DOMT) position is part of a required developmental training program lasting up to 18 months. The duties and responsibilities are under the direction and supervision of WM frontline managers (e.g., Area Directors of Disposal Operations, Landfill District Managers, and Operations Managers) related to the operations of a landfill. The primary mentor for this position will be the Landfill District Manager at the training location to which the DOMT is assigned or the Area Director of Disposal Operations. The DOMT, through assigned work activities, a training curriculum, and hands-on projects, will develop a strong working knowledge of all aspects of the day-to-day disposal operations at a WM landfill, including but not limited to, safety, environmental protection and permitting, finance and accounting, personnel management, heavy equipment, community and customer service, construction and engineering, gas and leachate management, and waste streams and sales. The Disposal OMT training program is designed to develop individuals into Operations Managers and District Managers with a strong career path to Directors of Disposal Operations or other roles.
II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Successfully complete the Disposal OMT curriculum consisting of Foundational, Intermediate, and Advanced level training. Complete all required training items through participation in the WM Learning Management System.
- Attend and participate in all mandatory group training sessions.
- Disposal Operations: Responsible for the knowledge development and progressive understanding and expertise in all aspects of day-to-day management of a landfill, including, but not limited to, fill sequencing, cover operations, waste placement and compaction operations, equipment and labor deployment, storm water management, and traffic flow.
- Develop a working knowledge of heavy equipment functionality and maintenance care including actual operation and in-shop maintenance.
- Learn how to effectively manage site personnel including non-exempt operators through experiential efforts and training.
- Develop an understanding of landfill design and construction including cell excavation and earthwork, liner cross-sections, slope stability, geosynthetics deployment, leachate control and landfill gas control systems and final cover cross sections.
- Develop proficiency and understanding in all aspects of leachate and landfill gas management. Develop general understanding of renewable energy operations and its relationship with the landfill gas systems.
- Develop a strong sense of community affairs and community relations management through actual participation in public affairs events and processes.
- Develop a complete understanding of environmental monitoring and environmental protection issues that exist at a landfill including interaction with various regulatory agencies. Review and understand regulatory requirements and site permits.
- Develop understanding of financial, accounting, and forecasting processes and systems including experience in reporting to senior management and showing proficiency in operations of the scale house.
- Develop understanding of how waste streams are sold and priced within WM sales and marketing organization, and its relationship to operations.
- Develop a strong understanding and dedication to the WM Safety Program; work with Corporate and local safety teams to continue to create an increasingly aware and observant safety conscious culture.
- Participate in landfill operational reviews and provide constructive feedback to operations staff.
- Participate in Area mentor programs.
- Perform other duties as assigned that may include special projects and interim management assignments. Learning will be very action and experiential based.
III. Qualifications
A. Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree (accredited), or in lieu of degree
- High School Diploma or GED (accredited) and 4 years of relevant work experience.
- 5 years of relevant work experience with increased responsibility in construction, engineering, geology, operations management or heavy equipment (in addition to education requirement).
B. Preferred Qualifications
- PE (Professional Engineer) certificate
- RLS (Registered Land Surveyor) certificate
- PG (Professional Geologist) certificate
IV. Physical Requirements
Listed below are key points regarding physical demands, physical and occupational risks, and the work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
V. Benefits
At WM, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Short Term Disability. As well as a Stock Purchase Plan, Company match on 401K, and more! Our employees also receive Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Personal Days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.
If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for, please click Apply.
ABOUT WM
WM (WM.com) is North America’s largest comprehensive waste management environmental solutions provider. Previously known as Waste Management and based in Houston, Texas, WM is driven by commitments to put people first and achieve success with integrity. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides collection, recycling and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. With innovative infrastructure and capabilities in recycling, organics and renewable energy, WM provides environmental solutions to and collaborates with its customers in helping them achieve their sustainability goals. WM has the largest disposal network and collection fleet in North America, is the largest recycler of post-consumer materials and is the leader in beneficial reuse of landfill gas, with a growing network of renewable natural gas plants and the most gas-to-electricity plants in North America. WM’s fleet includes nearly 11,000 natural gas trucks – the largest heavy-duty natural gas truck fleet of its kind in North America – where more than half are fueled by renewable natural gas. To learn more about WM and the company’s sustainability progress and solutions, visit Sustainability.WM.com.
Equal Employment Opportunity
For United States: WM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
For Canada: WM is committed to the principle of equal employment for all applicants and employees, without discrimination on the basis of all grounds protected by applicable human rights legislation. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please notify us if you require accommodation.
Real ID
In order to travel by air or access federal property, federal law requires individuals have a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative. This position may require the successful candidate to travel by air for business reasons, or service federal property. Accordingly, successful candidates must have, or be willing to obtain, a REAL ID, or TSA approved alternative.
What is the value of a WM job? At WM we know that the value of a WM job is more than a paycheck. It’s a way to create opportunities for you and your family. This is why we are constantly working to make WM a great place to work and grow a career. We Are WM is what defines the perks of being in the WM family – from benefits, to resources and engagement activities.
We are People First. We are Committed to Your Growth. We Are Investing in You. We are a Family. We are Stable. We are Always Working for a Sustainable Tomorrow.