Public Works Director

Job Objectives:
Plan, organize, direct, and perform the organizational, staffing, budgeting, planning, operations, and repair activities of the Public Works Department under State and Federal laws and City codes. Responsible for all departmental services, including streets, water, wastewater collection and treatment, and storm drainage.
Individuals appointed to this classification must apply extensive knowledge of sound management practices to a wide variety of complex situations. Individuals must determine and recommend policies and procedures, as well as maintain awareness of established ordinances as well as Federal and State regulations. Responsible for the supervision of Department employees through delegation to assigned leads and/or directly, and to recommend and implement approved decisions for all personnel actions regarding these employees.
Job Location and Equipment Utilized:
Work is normally performed in an office environment and field locations, with travel required to City locations and out-of-city meetings and conferences. Equipment utilized includes vehicles and specialized office equipment, such as a personal computer with specialized software for word processing, databases, and network management
. Attendance at weekend and evening meetings is sometimes required.
Examples of Work Performed:
May include any or all of the following:
• Supervise, through delegation of assigned lead workers or directly with individual department employees.
• Make recommendations to Mayor on all personnel actions such as hiring, training, terminations, discipline, number and organization of employees, and implement approved actions.
• Works directly with the Mayor, City Administrator, and Project Management performed by consultants, and Public Works projects completed by the City or outside contractors, including water systems, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, streets, surveys, mapping, and inspections.
• Develop, revise, and implement departmental operating policies and procedures under applicable law.
• Make recommendations on all service contracts and equipment purchases, including types of apparatus and equipment to be used within budgetary limitations.
• Receive, evaluate, and resolve complaints on Department employees and/or operations.
• Attend management and professional meetings and conferences as approved.
• Work with Project Management and Purchasing on the preparation of applications and supporting data for federal or State-funded programs.
• Develop, implement, and control approved departmental long and short-range goals and objectives.
• Confer with the Mayor and/or designee on administrative matters, legislation and policies, making recommendations for action.
• Review legal documents for City contracts, leases, agreements, easements, deeds, and bills of sale about Public Works projects.
• Prepare capital improvements programs and long-range service or facility plans for the streets, water, wastewater, and storm drainage.
• May perform additional management responsibilities and other activities as designated by the Mayor or designee.
• Have a complete understanding of the Public Works Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Requires knowledge of the field of assignment and physical ability sufficient to perform thoroughly and accurately the full scope of responsibilities as illustrated by the example in the above job description.
• Requires the ability to supervise Department employees in a manner conducive to efficient and effective performance and high morale.
• Requires the ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with City officials, employees, vendors, intergovernmental agencies, and the general public.
• Requires extensive knowledge of State and Federal regulations governing public works projects.
• Requires sound knowledge of management, organizational, fiscal, personnel, and supervisory practices and principles.
• Requires strong leadership skills to achieve the variety of job functions encountered in a department Director’s position.
Physical Traits:
• Requires the ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions.
• Requires hearing, visual acuity, and manual dexterity necessary to perform the duties of this job description.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience supervising professional and technical staff.
• Minimum six (6) years progressively responsible experience in public works or civil engineering, preferably within a municipal organization.
• A combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
Other:
• Requires a valid Washington State Driver’s License and a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier.