Management Analyst / Consultant - Solid Waste & Recycling [Associate]

Job Description

Job Description

Position title is Associate Analyst

Why Consider HF&H Consultants?

HF&H Consultants is a mission-driven consulting firm that works exclusively with public agencies on complex, high-impact challenges in solid waste, recycling, organics, water, and wastewater services. Our work often involves high visibility, tight timelines, evolving conditions, and significant public accountability.

We are intentionally a small firm. Every team member is trusted with meaningful responsibility and is empowered to take ownership of their work, follow commitments through to completion, and continuously look for ways to improve outcomes for our clients and our team.

 

We value people who care deeply about the quality of their work, adapt quickly when conditions change, and stay focused when projects become demanding. In return, we offer meaningful work, strong mentorship, and opportunities for growth.

 

Please visit our website to learn more about our firm.

About This Role

This role is designed for someone who wants more than clearly defined tasks and static responsibilities. It is ideal for someone who is comfortable managing complex deliverables, coordinating with clients and stakeholders, and progressively leading meetings, analyses, and policy development. This highly motivated professional supports and progressively leads contracting assistance, procurement support, and contract management services for public agency clients.

 

Our projects are dynamic and real-world. Priorities shift, challenges arise, and expectations are high. Successful team members take ownership without waiting to be asked, adapt quickly when plans change, and continue executing with discipline and professionalism.

 

This full-time position reports to our Walnut Creek office, with occasional evening meetings and overnight travel. The position may be hybrid (in-office Tu/Th/occasionally Friday), but requires periodic visits to client or third-party locations as needed (typically five to seven days per month).

 

Responsibilities and the level of independence will scale based on experience. The Associate Analyst is expected to independently manage routine assignments and produce polished analyses and work products. We expect to make a significant investment in the successful candidate’s professional development and to provide rewarding career opportunities for management roles within the firm.

Who Thrives at HF&H

People who thrive at HF&H take initiative, care deeply about quality, remain engaged when work is demanding, and bring positive energy to their teams.

What You Will Do

Technical & Analytical Execution

Perform analyses related to:

• Solid waste, recycling, and organics systems
• Service levels, tonnage flows, and facility operations
• Cost drivers, rate impacts, and financial tradeoffs
• Independently develop and maintain Excel‐based models, schedules, and tracking tools.
• Track negotiation changes, revisions, and client feedback.
• Support negotiations and council presentations, as experience allows.
• Prepare evaluation matrices and clarification questions.
• Review, organize, and validate financial, rate, service, regulatory, and program information.
• Independently draft reports, memoranda, presentation materials, and Board or committee meeting packets.

Procurement & Contract Support

• Coordinate and support procurement processes for public agency clients, including preparation of bid documents, requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for qualifications (RFQs), and related supporting materials.
• Assist with proposal evaluations, scoring worksheets, reference checks, and procurement documentation.
• Coordinate meetings, interviews, pre-proposal conferences, and procurement schedules.
• Prepare meeting notes, follow-ups, and action item tracking.
• Review contractor and vendor submittals for completeness and compliance with solicitation requirements.
• Support communication and coordination between clients, contractors, vendors, and project teams throughout the procurement and contract lifecycle.
• Support annual rate adjustments, including tic and tie.
• Maintain contract administration records, deliverable tracking logs, and contract performance documentation.
• Track contract milestones, amendments, deadlines, and required approvals.
• Help prepare Board and staff reports related to procurements, contract awards, and contract amendments.
• Take ownership of state reporting and compliance tracking.
• Independently draft presentations, staff reports, and internal policies.

  Key Responsibilities

• Deliver technically sound work products aligned with HF&H standards.
• Produce high-quality technical work with limited rework required.
• Apply established procedures while exercising sound judgment and quality standards on routine analytical and procurement assignments.
• Seek feedback, incorporate it into future work, and take on increasingly complex assignments over time.
• Manage assigned tasks across multiple projects, communicate status proactively, and flag risks or information gaps early.
• Demonstrate readiness to take on larger scopes and client-facing responsibilities over time.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office / O365 (SharePoint, Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint) with strong skills in Excel.
• Strong communication skills:

o Written: Ability to independently draft client-ready staff reports, summaries, and technical documents

o Oral: Ability to tailor your communication to the audience and hear their needs

o Interpersonal: Capable of maintaining positive relationships with clients and parties being audited

• Ability to manage multiple deliverables, deadlines, and stakeholders.
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating with a team.
• Any experience working with procurement or solid waste programs.
• At least two years of professional work experience or equivalent (e.g., internships).
• Ability to travel to client sites and meetings as needed. A valid driver’s license may be required.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Analytical skills related to rates, cost proposals, and tonnage data.
• Demonstrated quantitative proficiency, including building and auditing calculation logic in Excel (e.g., PivotTables, XLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, SUMIFS, nested formulas), performing basic statistical analysis, and translating results into clear tables and graphics.
• Experience with solid waste, recycling, or organics programs.
• Familiarity with SB 1383, CalRecycle reporting, or diversion compliance.
• At least three years of related experience consulting to or working for public agencies (i.e., cities, counties, joint powers authorities, special districts, etc.).

What You Will Gain

• Exceptional training and frequent coaching through structured mentorship starting on your first day.
• On-project training from HF&H’s partners and a deep pool of senior consultants.
• An annual “personal development plan”, formal continuing education, and project assignments geared toward developing your depth and breadth of expertise.
• Rewarding and challenging work assignments that improve the efficiency, affordability, and effectiveness of public services.
• Work on meaningful projects that support California communities.
• Direct experience working with local governments, special districts, and public agencies.
• Experience working with budgets, rates, performance metrics, and operational data.
• Exposure to a wide range of contracts, policies, and diversion programs.
• Clear growth path from technical support to project leadership (if desired).
• Collaborative, mission-driven consulting environment.

We Offer

This is a full-time, exempt position. Some highlights include:

• Associate Salary Range of $77,085 - $99,110 depending on qualifications of selected candidate
• Annual Bonus (discretionary): up to 20% of YTD Earned Wages, performance based
• Profit Sharing: 3% (min.) contribution to a 401(k) profit-sharing plan; 2025 contribution was 6% (eligible after one year)
• 15 Vacation days per year (increases with tenure, maximum of 25 days per year)
• 10 Holidays per year (including one “floating” holiday to be used at employee’s discretion)
• 5 Sick days per year
• At least two days of off-site staff retreats and social events each year
• Dental/Vision/Group Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Health Insurance:

o HF&H contributes 95% of employee’s premium (and 67.5% of dependent premium) towards the premium of our Kaiser health insurance plan

o HF&H contributes $2,500 per employee or $4,000 per family towards a Health Savings Account.

Are You Ready? Apply Today!

Submit your cover letter and resume to HF&H at recruiting(@)hfh-consultants.com today! Please provide a valid email address and telephone number on your resume and cover letter, as well as your salary expectation. Application materials will be screened on a continuous basis. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply early!

 

Candidates whose qualifications most closely align with the position will be invited to participate in HF&H’s interview process. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon the results of professional and personal reference checks, which we will not conduct without the candidate’s prior approval. Depending on the number and quality of applicants, HF&H reserves the right to modify this process at its sole discretion.

The Fine Print

This is an at-will position and, as such, can be released at any time without notice and for any reason. Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete performance assessments, reference checks, verification of academic performance, and any other due diligence HF&H deems appropriate prior to making an unconditional offer for employment. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation during any phase of the application or assessment process should advise the hiring manager in their cover letter when submitting their application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request. HF&H is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. HF&H encourages candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences to apply, even if they do not meet every listed qualification.

\nCompany Description

HF&H Consultants' mission is to assist our clients in achieving their vision of a sustainable future by providing high value consulting services to public agencies in a fiscally- and socially-responsible manner.

Company Description

HF&H Consultants' mission is to assist our clients in achieving their vision of a sustainable future by providing high value consulting services to public agencies in a fiscally- and socially-responsible manner.