Assistant Director of Public Works

DEFINITION / GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the general direction of the Director of Public Works, the Assistant Public Works Director manages, directs and coordinates the activities of assigned departments falling under the Public Works umbrella, which may include wastewater treatment, sewer collection, water distribution, streets/drainage, fleet services, solid waste and utility administration. Department assignments may be updated annually or more often based on the needs of the organization.

Organizes, coordinates and administers the business and technical functions of the assigned departments and prepares complex, comprehensive and technical analytical reports, presentations and records. Makes daily decisions on a wide variety of items to maintain continuous public mission achievement, frequently involving sensitive matters, with the utmost tact and resourcefulness. Has the full responsibility for directing, assisting, developing and evaluating department personnel, and provides highly complex staff assistance to the Director of Public Works.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receives general supervision from the Director of Public Works.

Exercises general supervision over assigned Departments and direct supervision over assigned Department leads.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Principal duty is to provide assistant, executive-level leadership and administration of assigned departments included under the Public Works Department umbrella.

Plans, organizes, assigns, coordinates, and directs departmental operations in assigned departments to ensure the provision of efficient and effective services to the citizens, customers and other stakeholders of the City with an overlying focus on customer service and operational sustainability. Assigns work activities, projects and programs. Monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; recommends and implements improvements and modifications.

Assists the Director of Public Works in planning, organizing, directing and supervising the administrative and programmatic activities of the Public Works Department, including capital improvement project management activities, state and federal regulatory compliance, and program development.

Provides professional assistance to the Director of Public Works and other City departments relating to all areas of assigned responsibility, including evaluation, development and annual updating of the City's capital improvement, capital outlay and personnel improvement plans and other master planning efforts.

Provides technical advice and planning information to the Public Works Director, City Manager and City Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the general public on all matters relating to the operation, management, and policies related to the Department and these functions.

Assists the Public Works Director in the development, implementation, and administration of departmental performance objectives, policies, processes, capital projects, master plans and other priorities; identifies resource needs and makes recommendations for improvement. Manages, supervises and participates in the preparation, development and evaluation of highly technical studies, reports and analysis related to infrastructure system maintenance, repair and expansion.

Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of assigned departments' budgets. Supervises and controls expenditures of assigned departments' appropriations. Analyzes and submits annual departmental budget estimates and description of current and future needs. Directs development and management of assigned departments' budgets, both operational and CIP; develops and updates assigned departments' business plans to include new key issues, staffing need forecasts, future budget needs, and other critical factors of operational concern. Coordinates work of the assigned departments; develops policies, procedures and long-range plans for implementation within the department.

Serves as Public Works' lead representative for development review purposes; in coordination with the City's Planning and Building Department, the City Engineer and other Departments, develops and coordinates comprehensive responses to ensure that subdivision plats, development plans and other development applications conform to City requirements and related master plans. Review of engineered construction documents prepared by private developers and engineers for proposed development and redevelopment under the City's jurisdiction.

Oversees and ensures compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations governing public works activities to ensure the submission of daily, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual and multi-year reports to regulatory agencies, including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Water Development Board, Public Utility Commission and Department of Transportation.

As assigned, manage program elements of the City's stormwater municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit and associated stormwater management plan. Direct completion and evaluate annual reporting for the City's stormwater program.

Oversee, develop and coordinate inter-local and interdepartmental emergency response plans, standard operating procedures, processes, and training in coordination with the Fire Department, Police Department, other agencies, and City Departments.

Works with outside entities, including Fort Hood, Bell County Water Control & Improvement District No. 1, Kempner Water Supply Corporation, the Brazos River Authority and area cities and entities as necessary to explore contractual and partnership opportunities that will improve the City's operations and enhance effectiveness of the same.

Maintains professional public stakeholder relations. Effectively and courteously communicates with public and other employees by telephone, in writing and in person. Investigates and resolves consumer/citizen inquires and/or complaints. Responsible for employee relations within the Public Works Department. Effectively represents position of the City to the public and media. Effectively represents the City in professional organizations and at outside activities as needed. Coordinates well with other department directors.

Establishes and maintains high departmental standards for customer service and interaction with the public or other agencies. Respond to and resolve the most difficult citizen inquiries and complaints.

Provide or coordinate staff and employee training; work with employees to coach, mentor and correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures. Develops, maintains, and administers an adequate labor force and supervisory staff to meet the needs of assigned departments. Provides leadership and employee development through staff meetings, and other interactions, which facilitate discussion about day-to-day management in all assigned Public Works areas and to create a culture of continuous improvement.

Foster and maintain functional harmony between supervised personnel and identify and immediately resolve employee issues in a timely, consistent and professional manner, in accordance with City policies and applicable law; lead by example by developing expertise in all aspects of Public Works Administration, mentoring, coaching and developing employees, and maintaining unrestricted accessibility to personnel (open door practice); must have the ability to work well with others and have a good/pleasant attitude.

Develop, coordinate and review standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all Public Works operations, project management, construction and plat reviews, property acquisition, etc. in area of assigned responsibility. Responsible for economies in respective operations and activities through efficient and economical use and conservation of labor, material, and supplies as related to the entire department or for increased returns and revenues through specific operations and activities related to the department. Supervises or leads others by determining work procedures, assigning duties, maintaining harmonious relations, and promoting efficiency. Manages the scheduling of the most efficient use of personnel and equipment; reviews work in progress and upon completion at various work sites.

Responsible for initiating and enforcing rules and regulations relating to compliance with City policy and standard safety policy measures by employees in assigned areas of the organization. Responsible for exercising care and compliance with City policy and standard safety policy measures to ensure personal safety.

Report on Public Works matters to City Council and City Manager in the absence or at the direction of the Director of Public Works. Meet with the public and other stakeholders in small and large groups to discuss City Public Works policies, practices and problems. Participate in public education and training related to Citizens Leadership Academy and Development Leadership Academy.

General responsibility for the proper use, operation, maintenance, major repairs and adjustments of machines, equipment and facilities. Provides expert assistance in areas of maintained operational licensure.

Negotiates and administers contracts for the City pertaining to all Public Works and Planning and Development activities. Oversees the management of all aspects of a variety of projects and contracts including project scope development, budgeting, design, bid process, City Council presentations for contract award, construction, commissioning, and final acceptance. Attends a variety of project-related meetings as the Project Owner's Representative to ensure that the department receives a product that conforms to designed operational and maintenance needs requirements. Administers contracts in compliance with City and State requirements. Directs and evaluates the activities of the superintendents, and supervisors, which may include planning, supervising and coordinating the design, construction, and maintenance of water, sewer, street, and drainage infrastructure or other facilities.

Confers with and assists the Public Works Director in drafting or revising ordinances, presentations, reports, plans and policies. Drafts City Council agendas and approves Council agenda items written by Public Works Staff.

Develops special reports and makes presentations both orally and in person, in private or public meetings; Researches, prepares, presents and interprets technical planning studies including elements of the Comprehensive Plan, Public Works master plans (Water, Sewer, Drainage, Transportation, etc.) and regulatory ordinances. Coordinates the Capital Improvement Program and recommends priorities for Public Works projects.

Attends meetings of Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the City Council as and when assigned.

Synthesizes or integrates analysis of data or information to discover facts or develop knowledge or interpretations; changes policies, procedures or methodologies based on new facts, knowledge, or interpretations.

Reads professional literature and technical manuals; speaks to groups of employees, other public and private groups; writes manuals and complex reports.

Responsible for the actions of others, requiring development of procedures and constant decisions affecting subordinate workers or others in the general public; works in a very fluid environment with guidelines, but the potential for significant variation.

Performs work involving the application of logical principles and critical thinking to solve practical problems within or applying to a unit or division of the organization; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results and frequent exposure to unusual pressures. An enhanced attention to detail and the ability to evaluate all potential outcomes to a course of action, along with the assessment of associated organizational risks, is critical.

Secure operational and professional development training as necessary to maintain licensure, and enhance operational and administrative expertise as and when included within operating budgets. Identify and direct and/or provided ongoing training for subordinates in position relevant aspects of assigned departments.

Performs other essential duties as determined by the Director of Public Works to achieve successful operations and mission accomplishment of the department and City as a whole.

Regular and timely attendance is an essential job function. It is an essential function of this position that you report to work on time and work your scheduled hours.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

Serves as a member of various City staff and City Council established committees and work groups, as assigned.

Performs other duties as assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, public administration, operations management, planning, construction management, or a related field, preferred, but not required; AND

Required seven (7) years responsible administrative/management experience related to Public Works operations and Public Works planning, with a minimum of four (4) years of supervisory experience in one of the operational departments identified under the Public Works umbrella. OR

Any combination of education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties as described.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of engineering principles, practices and methods applicable to a municipal setting.

Knowledge of modern principles and practices of public works administration;

Knowledge of the federal, state and local ordinances, laws, and regulations relating to departmental activities;

Knowledge of principles of effective administration, to include planning, directing, evaluation and coordinating;

Knowledge of effective supervisory principles and techniques; thorough knowledge of principles and practices employed in budget development, implementation and administration;

Knowledge of report and record maintenance principles and practices;

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public works as applied to the administration of diversified development activities;

Knowledge of research principles and the various sources of data and information concerning municipal/governmental statistics and administration.

Skill in both verbal and written communications for effective expression of concepts and ideas and clarity in task assignment;

Skill in public speaking;

Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing;

Ability to conduct verbal or written presentations to all levels of city employees, elected officials and general public;

Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city administrative personnel, subordinate staff and outside organizations and agencies;

Ability to plan, assign, supervise and review the work of a large staff of subordinates and to provide direction and recommendation on difficult procedural and administrative problems;

Ability to develop and implement departmental policy and procedure;

Ability to coordinate the design of and supervise the construction inspection of complex public works projects.

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application, a rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job-related tests may be required.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Requires frequent use of personal computer, including word processing, database and spreadsheet programs; calculator, telephone, copy machine and fax machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

May be subject to walking on uneven or unstable terrain, occasional standing, bending, reaching, kneeling or lifting such as when reviewing plans, specifications, and conducting inspections.

May be subject to exposure to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, hazardous chemicals and fumes, infectious diseases, air and water borne pathogens, and poisonous insects, spiders, and snakes or wild animals common to water, wastewater and underground utilities, and other potential physical harm.

May be subject to working extended hours and responding to emergencies if needed.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the office work environment is usually quiet. Noise in the field can be moderately to very loud.