Job Description

Summary:

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Public Works Department, including the maintenance and operations of streets, storm drains, fleets, wastewater collections systems, parks, and contract management for street maintenance, street striping, street sweeping and signal maintenance, and other programs; coordinates assigned activities with other Town departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among Town departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to Town management staff in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

Receives administrative direction from the Town Manager. The work provides for a wide variety of independent decision-making, within legal and general policy and regulatory guidelines. Exercises general direction and supervision over management, professional, technical, and clerical staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a department head classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Public Works Department, including short- and long-range planning and development and administration. This class provides assistance to the Assistant Town Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, municipal functions and activities, including the role of an elected Town Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives and for furthering Town goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.

Essential Functions:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the Public Works Department; establishes, within Town policy, appropriate budget, service, and staffing levels.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs the preparation and implementation of budgetary adjustments.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department’s service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and Town needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
• Participates in the development and update of the Town’s Capital Improvement Plan in conjunction with the Town Engineer.
• May confer with engineers, developers, architects, and a variety of agencies and the general public in acquiring information and coordination of engineering, public works, utilities, parks, and related matters; provides information regarding these matters.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposal for professional and/or construction services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; administers contracts after award.
• Represents the Public Works Department to other Town departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies and procedures as appropriate.
• Negotiates contracts and agreements; coordinates with legal counsel and Town department representatives to determine Town needs and requirements for contractual services.
• Participates on and makes presentations to the Town Council and a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public works and other types of public services as they relate to the area of assignment.
• Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect Town or departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the Town Manager.
• Responds to public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

An equivalent combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education, Training, and Experience Guidelines
An equivalent combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, public or business administration, or a related field, and five (5) years of responsible professional engineering or public works operations and maintenance experience with considerable supervisory or administrative experience. Possession of a Master’s Degree is highly desirable.

License and Certification Requirements:

• Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance.

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Public agency budgetary, contract administration, Town-wide administrative practices; and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs; principles and practices of municipal government administration.
• Principles and practices of public services program development, maintenance, and management in a municipal setting.
• Principles and techniques of capital improvement design, funding, and long-term maintenance.
• Methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of public works projects.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Technical, legal, financial, and public relations problems associated with the management of public services programs.
• Methods and techniques for writing and presentations, contract negotiations, mediation and arbitration, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and Town staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Techniques for effectively representing the Town in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and Town staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the Town.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations; effectively administer a variety of Town programs and administrative activities.
• Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the Town and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to inspect Town development sites, to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various Town and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Fair Labor Standards Act labels cannot be given to a group of employees. Each employee must meet every requirement for the claimed exemption. The designation mentioned above is for general manager guidelines.