Assistant Public Works Director / Engineer

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:  Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until the position has been filled.  This recruitment may close at any time without notice. 

DEFINITION

 Under administrative direction of the Public Works Director / City Engineer, supervises the activities of the Public Works Engineering and Maintenance & Utilities Divisions; provides complex staff assistance to the Public Works Director / City Engineer; directs the Capital Improvement Program and or development engineering; performs a variety of professional level engineering functions; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives administrative direction from the Public Works Director / City Engineer.  This classification is responsible for directing and supervising the Engineering and Maintenance & Utilities Divisions of the Public Works Department and serves as the City Engineer in the absence of the Director.  This classification is distinguished from the Public Works Director / City Engineer in that the Director is responsible for overall management of the entire department. Exercises general direction and supervision over professional, technical, and administrative support staff either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

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.

• Accepts management responsibility for the activities, operations, and services of the Engineering Division, including research, development, design, contracting, construction inspection, plan review, surveying and records management; plans, coordinates and reviews work plans for assigned projects; provides administrative and technical direction to department staff; coordinates activities with other divisions, City departments, outside agencies and organizations; designs and directs special engineering studies, including analyses, reports, drawings, models and displays; reviews and approves a variety of engineered plans.
• Plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs through subordinate managers the Maintenance & Utilities division including street maintenance, parks, water, stormwater, building, vehicle, and equipment maintenance.
• Supervises and participates in the development, implementation and maintenance of division goals, objectives, policies and procedures; assists in the development and implementation of department-wide goals, policies and procedures; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures for improving organizational performance and meeting division goals.
• Supervises, trains and evaluates Engineering Division staff; recommends the selection, promotion and discipline of Division employees; coordinates the selection, orientation, training and evaluation programs for Engineering Division personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; identifies and resolves staff deficiencies; assigns division work activities; reviews work in progress and submits finished work products to the Director.
• Plans, coordinates and supervises the review of private development plans for conformance with City requirements, state and federal regulations and sound engineering practices; develops and implements the department’s capital improvement program and budget; directs the preparation of plans, specifications, cost estimates and contract documents; participates in the selection and supervision of contracted professional engineers for the development of plans, specifications, studies and reports; oversees the administration of contracts; visits construction sites to ensure conformance of construction to plans or to identify design elements; reviews and approves all payments and billings for contract services.
• Oversees and participates in the development of the Engineering Division budget; participates in the forecast of necessary funds for staffing, materials and supplies; administers and monitors the approved budget; resolves budget issues with appropriate staff; implements budget adjustments as necessary; assists the Director in developing and managing the department budget.
• Manages the development and implementation of the department’s Capital Improvement Program, including the complex interchange of funding sources and grants.
• Provides technical and professional advice to the Director, other City staff, the City Council, and various City commissions on engineering matters; prepares and coordinates reports and presentations on engineering issues for the City Council, community groups, boards and commissions, and regulatory agencies; prepares or directs the preparation of grant and permit applications; pursues federal and state grant funds and permits; ensures project compliance with grant or permit regulations.
• Serves as the City Engineer and department head in the absence of the Director.
• Oversees private development plan and map review and issuance of various engineering permits.
• Prepares or provides critical review of various staff reports, resolutions, environmental impact reports, negative declarations, reports required by state and federal agencies, and correspondence.
• Monitors and evaluates the impact of current trends in the field of municipal and transportation engineering, including legislation, court rulings and professional practices and techniques; recommends policy and procedural modifications accordingly.
• Responds to the most complex and difficult inquires and requests for information, provides information and resolves service issues or complaints; represents the department to other City departments, other agencies, civic groups and the public; establishes and maintains a customer service orientation within the division.   
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Civil Engineering, or a closely related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering experience including experience in a supervisory or project management capacity.   Experience in a Municipal Government and a Master’s degree are desirable.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a civil engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles and practices of civil and transportation engineering related to the planning, design, construction and inspection of municipal public works.
• Applicable federal and state laws, codes and regulations, including those related to development, design and construction.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation and supervision of staff either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• 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 construction management.
• Capital Improvement Program development
• Grant writing and administration.
• Federal and State regulations and guidelines pertinent to the areas of responsibility.
• Public agency budgetary, contract administration, City-wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Basic terminology, methods, techniques and practices of the operation and maintenance of computer servers, network systems, and personal computer hardware and software.
• 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 issues associated with the administration of programs within assigned area.
• Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures. 
• Record keeping principles and procedures. 
• Modern office practices, methods, financial programs, and computer equipment and applications related to the work. 
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for effectively representing the City 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 by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

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 City.
• Develop and administer operational and construction project budgets.
• Prepare complex engineering plans, specifications and calculations.
• Read and interpret maps, sketches, drawings, specifications and technical manuals.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• 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, 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 projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations; effectively administer a variety of administrative services programs and administrative activities.
• 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.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City 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 walking around at construction sites on occasion is required in addition to 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 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, and walk on uneven surfaces while in the field.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Salary : $166,885 - $202,850