Specialist - Operations, CO

Salary Range: $65,000.00 To $80,000.00 Annually Role Overview The Operations Specialist supports CAA Colorado’s operations by assisting the Operations Managers with the administration and oversight of collection or post-collection service agreements. This role focuses on supporting contractual compliance, data collection and verification, review of reported tonnage and activity data, invoice validation support, and coordination with processing service providers. The Operations Specialist works closely with internal operations staff and external service providers to help ensure service providers are meeting contractual requirements related to reporting, capacity, equipment readiness, and performance, and to support efforts to increase capacity and the number of tons of covered materials successfully collected or processed. Key Responsibilities Data & Systems Management Independently manage assigned datasets related to collection or post-collection processing, including operational metrics used for reimbursement and compliance tracking. Design, maintain, and improve spreadsheets, databases, dashboards, or tracking tools to support operational reporting and audit readiness. Identify data gaps, inconsistencies, and process inefficiencies and implement practical improvements. Reporting & Analysis Prepare recurring and ad hoc reports for internal leadership, government partners, and external stakeholders. Ensure analytical outputs are accurate, consistent, well-documented, and reproducible. Support applied research and analysis related to recycling systems, cost benchmarking, and operational performance. Support invoice review and validation by confirming operational metrics and supporting documentation align with contract terms. Compliance Tracking & Documentation Maintain and organize operational compliance records, including required reports and supporting documentation defined in service schedules, to support reporting, invoicing, and audits. Maintain templates, guidance documents, and process documentation to ensure consistency and audit defensibility. Support internal controls and data governance standards across operational systems. Program & Operational Support Support implementation of Colorado’s EPR program by coordinating defined operational tasks across teams and external partners. Serve as a point of contact for specific operational processes or reporting requirements with service providers or government entities. Assist in tracking and summarizing operational performance metrics that support increased tons processed over time. Assist in refining procedures as programs scale from implementation to ongoing operations. Collaboration & Communication Collaborate with internal teams (legal, accounting, procurement, and data) to align operational systems with compliance and program needs. Prepare materials and summaries for meetings with local governments, service providers, and regulators Communicate technical or data-driven information clearly to non-technical audiences Perform other related duties as assigned Skills & Competencies Strong analytical and problem-solving skills High attention to detail and documentation quality Ability to manage assigned workstreams independently Ability to read, interpret, and apply operational contract requirements to data and reporting workflows Comfort working in evolving or ambiguous regulatory environments Clear written and verbal communication skills Strong organizational and time management abilities Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) Experience with data visualization, GIS, Power BI, or similar tools preferred Familiarity with artificial intelligence tools for analytical or operational efficiency Qualifications Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required; advanced coursework or a graduate degree in environmental science, policy, geography, data analytics, or a related field preferred. 3–5 years of relevant experience in operations, data analysis, compliance, government, consulting, or sustainability-related work. Demonstrated experience building, maintaining, or improving data tracking or reporting systems. Applicants must have valid Driver’s License. Compensation & Other Information: Location: Initially fully remote within Colorado, with the ability to travel to the Denver/Boulder area several times per month. Pay Rate: Based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge and experience.   Reports To: CAA Colorado Director of Operations Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact [email protected] listed below.