Solid Waste_Office Manager Reclass Request_1-15-2026Lewis County Department of Public Works
LEWIS COUNTY
ll'ashrngto11 ·, First County Geoff Soderquist, PE, Public Works Director
Wes Anderson, PE, County Eng i neer
MEMORANDUM
Date: January 12, 2026
To: Ryan Barrett, County Manager
From: Geoff Soderquist, PE, Director &A
Subject: Office Manager (PCN 1137006)-Position Reclassification
The purpose of this memorandum serves to formally request the reclassification of the
current Office Manager position to a Solid Waste Business & Office Manager role. The
proposed change reflects the evolving scope of responsibilities, leadership expectations,
and strategic contributions and acknowledgement of the required support of divisional
operations effectively.
Background
Kristen was offered an Office Manager position in April of 2021. As this was a newly
added position to Solid Waste, a job description did not exist; one was incorporated
from another division for use by Solid Waste at this time. Since then, the role has
expanded significantly in scope and complexity, encompassing duties that align more
closely with those of a Business & Office Manager, specific to Solid Waste. The current
responsibilities exceed the scope of an Office Manager and require a higher level of
autonomy, decision-making, and business leadership. Reclassing the role to Solid Waste
Business & Office Manager will:
• Accurately reflect the duties performed and ensure alignment with job
classification standards
• Support organizational efficiency by formally recognizing the operational
management functions and leadership of the role
Dri vi ng growth and accountability in pro vi ding quality public services.
Road Maintenance &
Fleet Services
Admin ·istration, Engineering, Utilities,
Real Estate Services & Traffic
476 West Main St .
Chehalis , WA 98532
O 360. 740.33S0
F 360 . 740.2 741
57 West Main St .
Chehalis, WA 98532
O 360. 740.1123
F 360 . 740.1479
Solid Waste Services
Post Office Box 180
Centralia, WA 98531
o 360. 740.1451
F 360.330. 7805
• Ensure compliance with internal equity and compensation guidelines by aligning
title and pay with responsibilities
The Business and Office Manager position has been previously scored by Lewis County
Human Resources and an evaluation of the duties and compensation as compared to
surrounding employers with similar job duties.
Budget
This adjustment would replace the Office Manager position, placing a freeze on it.
This adjustment would result in an increase of $9,186 to the expenditures in the
Administration Fund (Fund 4010) for salaries and benefits for the 2026 budget.
Please see the attached worksheet for additional details regarding the position and
budget impact analysis.
There is no change in full-time equivalents (FTEs) resulting from this request.
EE #1069 Kristen Buckman Position #1137006 Reclass effective 02/01/2026 Current (as of 01/07/2026) Grade 124 124 Step 11 11 Annual Monthly 5% increase Current Annual Minimum Required Annual Salary Minimum Required Monthly Proposed Grade 125 125 Step 13 13 Recommended Promotion Grade Step 125 13 Annual* Monthly Annual 101,225 $ Salary 92,039 7,670 4,602 92,039 96,641 8,053 101,225 8,435 Monthly 8,435 $ $ 9,186 Annual salary increase Accounting Supervisor PCN Rocky Lyon 1545001 NEW Org 401A3700 Inactivate PCN 1137006 and create and move employee to new position in Munis. $ 44.25 * Meets required salary increase. Hourly $ 48.67 Solid Waste Utility Manager Business & Office Manager UPDATE TITLE NEW PCN REQUIRED
_,_fa . -
LEWIS COUNTY
BUSINESS & OFFICE MANAGER -
SOLID WASTE
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Business & Office Manager-Solid Waste
Dept/Division: Public Works/ Admin. Job Class Code: 1343
Pay Grade: 125 PCN:1343004
FLSA: Exempt Effective Date: July 2024
Representation Status: Non-represented Revision Date: January 2026
Reports To: Solid Waste Manager
NATURE OF WORK
Under limited supervision, this position assists the Manager of the Lewis County Solid Waste Utility
Division in performing professional and confidential office management functions; supervises the
administrative, accounting and budget operations of the Solid Waste Utility Division; conducts a variety
of human resource duties; supervises assigned personnel; and performs other related duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are the fundamental, crucial job duties performed by this position. This is not a
comprehensive list of all tasks that may be assigned. Incumbent may be required to perform other duties as
assigned and appropriate for the position.
• Oversees and coordinates the administrative and accounting operations for the Solid Waste Utility
Division, tracks expenditures, contracts, resolutions, evaluates issues and recommends solutions.
• Reviews accounts payable coding and Accounting Specialist duties, approves invoices, reviews and
investigates financial and accounting records; monitors and verifies fund integrity; researches
accounting, billing and grant information and resolves related issues, as needed.
• Provides administrative and accounting support for the Disposal District, Centralia Landfill
Closure Group and the Executive Advisory Committee.
• Manages the reserve funds and provides the Disposal District Board with financial reports and
budget reconciliation.
• Prepares year-end reports, journal entries, Landfill Closure Liability Projections and
tonnage/customer trend to assist with rate projections.
• Manages the Division's administrative and accounting staff; supervises, trains, and evaluates the
performance of assigned personnel; monitors staff compliance with departmental policies,
procedures and record retention; and provides hiring recommendations.
• Processes, reviews and approves personnel documents and files; maintains records, researches
and updates files and databases; assures all administrative actions are in compliance with County
policy.
• Prepares and administers service contracts; monitors compliance with regulations governing
expenditures for State and County contracts.
• Authorizes purchases; coordinates the maintenance and repair of office equipment and facilities;
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Job Title: Business & Office Manager -Solid Waste Job Class Code: 1343
supervises staff assigned to order and maintain office supply inventories.
• Monitors and maintains inventory data for entire Division; conducts annual inventory of capital
assets and small and attractive items.
• Provides administrative assistance to assigned personnel.
• Travel for meetings and mandatory training at various locations, when required.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work is performed in a standard office environment and involves sitting for extended periods of time,
standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting objects up to thirty-five (35) pounds.
QUALIFICATIONS:
REQUIRED: Associate's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or a closely related field; AND
four ( 4) years' experience supervising administrative operations.
A valid Driver's License is required.
COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Behaviors):
Knowledge of:
• Processes, policies, and procedures.
• Regulations and codes governing permitting activities.
• Principles and practices of office administration.
• General office equipment and standard computer software applications.
• Accounting principles and processes for preparing budgets.
• Supervisory principles, practices, and methods.
• Requirements from State Auditor's Office
• Automated Financial System and Software
• State Budgeting Accounting & Reporting System (BARS)
Skills in:
• Managing and coordinating the day-to-day administrative operations for assigned area of work.
• Preparing budgets and processing departmental invoices, billing, and payroll.
• Coordinating and performing a variety of systems and/ or contract administration functions.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, County departments,
outside agencies, vendors, and the general public.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.
Ability to:
• Learn and follow County and Public Works Department operations, policies and procedures.
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Job Title: Business & Office Manager -Solid Waste
Behaviors:
• Regular, reliable attendance.
Job Class Code: 1343
As the incumbent in this position, I have received a copy of this position description.
Employee's Name
Employee's Signature Date
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