Updated: 2/4/2025
Website: www.keepknoxvillebeautiful.org
Keep Knoxville Beautiful’s (KKB) mission is to inspire and empower Knox County communities to improve their quality of life through beautification and environmental stewardship. KKB is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit and an affiliate of Keep Tennessee Beautiful, funded through government contracts, grants and private contributions.
Each year, KKB mobilizes thousands of volunteers, removes significant amounts of litter, and educates residents about recycling and waste reduction. As KKB expands its role in strengthening community recycling infrastructure, we are growing our operational capacity to ensure this work is effective, sustainable, and mission-aligned.
Operations Manager
The Operations Manager reports to the Executive Director and plays a key leadership role in overseeing and strengthening KKB’s operational systems across both field-based programs and internal organizational functions.
A primary focus of this position will be launching and managing community recycling drop-off centers operated by KKB. The Operations Manager will help design and implement the operational framework for these sites — including staffing coordination, workflows, documentation, and performance tracking — ensuring they are professionally managed and aligned with KKB’s mission.
At the same time, this role supports the broader organization by improving internal processes, coordination, and infrastructure that benefit all programs.
This is a full-time, salaried, hybrid position requiring a combination of remote work, in-office collaboration, and regular travel throughout Knox County.
The ideal candidate is organized, adaptable, and deeply committed to environmental stewardship. This person should be energized by building systems, supporting teams in the field, and helping increase recycling participation and proper waste disposal across Knox County.
Responsibilities
Recycling Center Operations & Field Systems
Lead the development and day-to-day oversight of operational systems for community recycling drop-off centers managed by KKB.
Supervise and support field attendants, ensuring strong customer service, clear expectations, and consistent site standards.
Coordinate staffing schedules, onboarding, training support, and performance oversight in partnership with external staffing agencies.
Ensure sites are clean, safe, welcoming, and aligned with KKB’s standards for environmental stewardship.
Support contamination prevention efforts and improve proper material sorting and recycling participation.
Establish and maintain systems for tracking site activity, visitor counts, and operational performance.
Organizational Operations & Infrastructure
Translate field-based operational needs into clear internal processes, documentation, and workflows.
Strengthen organizational systems related to scheduling, reporting, data tracking, and vendor coordination.
Support contract compliance, documentation, and reporting requirements across programs.
Assist with operational budgeting, expense tracking, and forecasting.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and communication across departments.
Cross-Department Collaboration & Support
Work closely with the Executive Director, Director of Programs, and Director of Development to align operations with program goals and fundraising needs.
Support logistics and operations for events, volunteer initiatives, and special projects as needed.
Serve as a connector between field operations, education efforts, and volunteer programming.
Help ensure operational decisions support both day-to-day execution and long-term strategy.
Community & Mission Advancement
Serve as a visible representative of KKB’s mission in the field and in the community.
Build positive relationships with residents, partners, and local organizations.
Contribute ideas and insights that help expand recycling access, reduce litter, and improve environmental outcomes across Knox County.
Minimum Qualifications
2–4 years of experience in operations, program management, supervision, or a related field.
Demonstrated interest in litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, or environmental stewardship.
Experience supervising staff or coordinating teams.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Reliable transportation and ability to travel throughout Knox County.
Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends as needed.
Ability to perform light physical tasks, such as lifting supplies or visiting outdoor sites.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with a nonprofit, municipal, or community-based organization.
Experience managing vendor or staffing relationships.
Experience with data tracking, reporting, or performance metrics.
Familiarity with recycling systems, waste diversion, or environmental behavior change.
Comfort working in a small, collaborative team environment.
Benefits & Compensation
Salary range: $50,000-$60,000 (depending on experience)
Health, vision, dental & life insurance
Simple IRA with 3% employer match
Hybrid work flexibility
Cell phone stipend
11 Paid Holidays annually
20 Vacation Days annually
7 Sick Days annually
Flexible scheduling
At KKB, we believe clean, green communities improve quality of life for everyone. We are looking for someone who shares that belief and wants to help build strong operational systems that support long-term environmental impact in Knox County.
Please submit a resume and cover letter to info@keepknoxvillebeautiful.org.
The ideal start date is early-March (but can be flexible for the right candidate).
Keep Knoxville Beautiful is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other legally protected status.