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KC Can Compost values having a team with diverse experiences and perspectives to optimize our potential for compassion, collaboration, creativity, and excellence in service. KC Can Compost is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages people from all backgrounds to apply.
Project Manager: CORE Facility Development
Location: Kansas City Metropolitan Area (Hybrid)
Type: Full-Time, Contract
Reports to: CEO / Executive Director
Start: Position available for immediate start
About KC Can Compost and Green Core Training
KC Can Compost is building a more sustainable and equitable future by transforming food waste into climate and soil solutions. Through Green Core Training, we prepare people facing barriers to employment for meaningful, living wage careers. Our work brings together composting, workforce development, and community impact to create lasting change in Kansas City.
Role Summary
KC Can Compost is seeking a Project Manager to lead the planning and execution of our new CORE composting facility. This role transforms vision into operational reality by managing timelines, budgets, stakeholders, and regulatory requirements from construction through facility launch. The Project Manager will coordinate permitting, city planning, funder requirements, vendor selection, and all project documentation. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in complex, high‑accountability environments and brings structure, clarity, and calm to fast‑moving work.
What You Will Own
Project Leadership and Execution
Build and maintain the master project plan, critical path schedule, and milestone tracker.
Translate strategic goals into clear workstreams, deliverables, and weekly action plans.
Lead internal project meetings, document decisions, and ensure follow‑through.
Manage scope, risks, issues, and change control to keep the project on track.
Property and Site Development
Support property due diligence and coordinate site readiness planning.
Coordinate with legal counsel, architects, and engineers.
Coordinate utility planning, site access, and infrastructure needs.
Maintain a complete, audit‑ready record of site documents and commitments.
Permitting, Planning, and Compliance
Lead coordination with city, county, and state agencies on planning, zoning, and permitting.
Track requirements related to composting operations, solid waste regulations, stormwater, and environmental compliance.
Build and manage a compliance calendar and documentation system.
Support safety planning, SOP development, and operational readiness requirements.
Funder, Partner, and Stakeholder Management
Serve as the primary point of contact for project‑related updates and reporting inputs for funders.
Align grant requirements with project activities, timelines, and procurement needs.
Coordinate with municipal partners, community stakeholders, and technical advisors.
Support presentations and updates for the KCCC Board and key partners.
Procurement and Vendor Coordination
Develop scopes of work and support RFP and vendor selection processes.
Coordinate architects, engineers, contractors, and technical consultants.
Track deliverables, invoices, and contract compliance in partnership with finance.
Support equipment planning and procurement according to facility needs.
Budget and Reporting
Develop and maintain the project budget, forecasting, and burn‑rate tracking.
Produce clear monthly status reports outlining progress, risks, decisions needed, and upcoming milestones.
Ensure documentation is audit‑ready and supports reimbursement and reporting requirements.
Expectations
First 60–90 Days
Establish and actively manage a clear master schedule, budget, and risk register.
Map the full permitting pathway, including agency contacts, timelines, and required submissions.
Create a centralized document system for leases, permits, agreements, designs, and funder requirements.
Implement a weekly operating cadence with visible progress across workstreams.
First 6–12 Months
Meet all permitting and compliance milestones on schedule.
Select key vendors with defined scopes, timelines, and accountability structures.
Build a comprehensive launch plan, including operations, staffing, safety, and training requirements.
Required Qualifications
5+ years of project management experience in construction, infrastructure, facilities, environmental projects, or public‑sector development.
Proven ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder projects with tight timelines and compliance requirements.
Experience working with government agencies on permitting, ordinances, or regulatory processes.
Strong written communication and documentation discipline, including meeting notes, trackers, and reporting.
High integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to manage sensitive negotiations and information.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in waste diversion, composting, environmental services, or circular‑economy infrastructure.
Familiarity with grant‑funded capital projects and funder reporting.
Contract management experience, including scopes of work and vendor performance tracking.
Experience in community‑centered or mission‑driven organizations.
Working Conditions
Combination of office and field work, including site visits and meetings with agencies and partners.
Occasional evening meetings for community or board engagement.
Local travel as needed.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $85,000–$92,000
Benefits: Contractor
Start date: Immediate
How to Apply
Please submit a resume and a short cover letter that addresses:
Your experience managing complex development projects.
Your experience with permitting, compliance, or government processes.
An example of how you keep projects on track when priorities shift.
Send materials to Heather Nevarez with the subject line “Project Manager: CORE Facility”
Internship: Public Programs & Sustainable Events
Department: Public Programs and Events
Location: Kansas City (Hybrid)
Compensation: Paid
Term: Spring and Summer 2026
About KC Can Compost
KC Can Compost is a Kansas City–based nonprofit dedicated to diverting organic waste from landfills, advancing environmental education and community engagement, providing green workforce training, and supporting regional sustainability goals. Our Public Programs & Events team leads composting support for weddings, festivals, community events, large-scale special events, and public food scrap drop-off programs.
Position Summary
The Public Programs & Events Intern will support the planning and execution of composting services for community events and public food scrap drop-off programs. This includes coordinating logistics, organizing materials, communicating with internal teams, and helping with on-site program implementation.
Key Responsibilities
Assist with planning, scheduling, and coordinating composting services for events ranging from intimate weddings to large scale festivals.
Collect and organize key data from event organizers (attendance, layout, logistics) to help schedule and plan event services.
Track milestones, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure successful project execution.
Communicate event requirements to internal Operations and Marketing teams.
Organize equipment, signage, supplies, and educational materials.
Engage with the public to support events and drop-off programs.
Assist in “day-of” event management to ensure a well-organized and successful execution.
Qualifications
Current undergraduate (junior/Senior) or graduate student.
Strong project management skills with the ability to track multiple deadlines and projects simultaneously.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to interact professionally with customers, internal teams, and external vendors.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a hybrid environment.
Willing to be “on the ground” at outdoor events during the KC summer.
Weekend and evening availability during event periods.
A genuine interest in waste reduction, sustainability, and community engagement.
Preferred Skills
Experience in event coordination or customer service.
Familiarity with spreadsheets, checklists, or project tracking tools.
Studying Sustainability, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Event Management, or a related field.
Schedule & Work Environment
This is a hybrid role blending remote administrative work with in-person meetings and event support. Hours vary weekly depending on event schedules. Average 20 hours per week.
Compensation
This is a paid hourly internship. Rate will be decided based on experience.
To apply, email your resume and a quick letter of interest to our team with the subject line: Programs & Events Internship
KC Can Compost provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. For questions about our policy, please contact Heather Nevarez.