What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Public Works position at City of Markham?
POSITION TITLE: Director, Public Works
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
Updated: 11/2024
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Under the direction of the Mayor for the City of Markham, incumbent performs highly responsible work assisting with directing and managing the City’s public works day to day operations and systems, including but not limited to: providing for the proper operation of City’s wastewater treatment system; providing for the proper operation of the City’s water system; maintaining the City’s storm drainage system; and supervising the City’s public works personnel. The Public Works Director shall be responsible, along with the Public Works Field Supervisor, for the efficient operation of the City’s Public Works department.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop plans, schedules, assigns and direct the work at the water and wastewater treatment systems. Ensures that all motors, pumps, and equipment are properly functioning and the water and wastewater treatment is in compliance with the appropriate state and federal criteria and standards. Performs required state/federal effluent testing when appropriate and necessary.
- Ensure that all Public Works employees receive appropriate safety training and that the employees observe appropriate safety standards and precautions.
- Inspects work progress, materials, procedures, and safety at work sites; assigns work crews to patch roads, grade shoulders, seal coat roads, remove snow, cut weeds and grass, spread gravel and the like.
- Assist the Supervisor with the maintenance and repair of City-owned vehicles and equipment. Ensures that all equipment and vehicles are serviced and maintained in accordance with appropriate specifications and preventative maintenance schedule. Responsible for managing all vehicles and scheduling how they will be used, within guidelines set by the City Council.
- Manage all requisitions supplies, materials and equipment in accordance with City Council’s approved purchasing policies.
- Processes and approves public works employees’ time sheets, performance evaluations, and other personnel-related functions.
- Develop annual department budget and long-range department plans, in cooperation with the City Council.
- Works in close cooperation with the City Administrator and Mayor to determine project priorities and direction of the public works department.
- Attends conferences and seminars to keep abreast of current public works trends and techniques.
- Maintains working relationships with the City Council, citizens, employees, vendors, other government agencies, and contractors.
- Plans, directs, coordinates, and assigns work for the maintenance of the water transmission and distribution system.
- Assigns work crews to repair, replace, or construct new water mains; installs or replaces user water taps. Performs required water testing in accordance with state/federal standards.
- Hires Public Works employees in close cooperation with the City Council and Human Resources, with the approval of the City Council, and in accordance with the City’s personnel policies and practices. Also, responsible for managing and processing all attendant personnel problems/issues within the Public Works department.
- Remains available for emergency situations, or ascertains that qualified personnel are on call.
- Attends City Council meetings as necessary. Prepares monthly written status reports detailing department activities, issues and project status.
- Performs related duties as required and necessary.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of road, street and facilities construction, maintenance, repair, construction equipment and required materials.
- Knowledge of water distribution and transmission systems, wastewater system operation and maintenance.
- Knowledge of water and sewer related construction, water and sewer lines, pipes, valves, and taps.
- Ability to compile, maintain and file accurate records.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:
- A valid Illinois driver’s license.
- A valid Class D Wastewater Certification issued by the State.
- A valid Class D Water Operation Certification issued by the State.
- Experience in equipment operation (street maintenance equipment, truck, loader, grader, tractor, mower, etc.)
- Experience in equipment maintenance and repair (welding, hydrant maintenance, water line maintenance, road repair, tree removal, pool maintenance, general plumbing, etc.)
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Emergency medical aid equipment, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting, tools and equipment, rescue tools and equipment, hazard-detecting meters, ladders, radio, pager, personal computer, phone.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The job requires individuals to be physically able, on a daily basis, to bend, walk, occasionally lift and carry up to 50lbs. Operate vehicles: snowplow, grader, steamer, rudder machine, and other equipment and tools associated with the position.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of ten (10) years of experience relating to the construction, repair, and maintenance of water, sewer, street, park, or storm drainage systems including the operation of related maintenance equipment
- Any equivalent combination of education or experience;
- Minimum seven (7) years of Senior Management experience working in a Public Works municipal environment with water certificate
This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive or as an employment agreement between the employer and employee. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job and is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential functions of this position will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.