Deputy Director - Public Works & Utilities

The City of La Crosse is seeking to hire a full-time Professional Engineer to be an essential member of the Engineering & Public Works team. The Department is responsible for designing, installing, and managing various infrastructure throughout the City of La Crosse. The individual in this position will work with a dedicated team of employees whose actions improve the lives of the citizens of La Crosse daily. 

The purpose of this position is to assist with direction of staff and delivery of projects, services, maintenance, and operations of all public works infrastructure. Assist with daily engineering and utilities department activities and staff. Assist with direction of management of Engineering and Utilities Departments (Water, Sewer, and Storm). Work is performed under the direction of the Director of Engineering & Public Works. Annual salary for this exempt position ranges between $99,465.60 - $113,921.60 (80hrs bi-weekly), based on qualifications. 

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, with five to seven years of experience, with knowledge and experience with public works projects, maintenance, and operations. Wisconsin registered Professional Engineer, or ability to transfer license from another state within six months. A valid driver’s license is required. Strong communication skills required and proficiency in MS Office products. Knowledge of Procore for project delivery is a plus.

Benefits: The City of La Crosse offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical benefit plan, Wisconsin Retirement Plan, deferred compensation, Roth IRA, life insurance, income continuation insurance, voluntary dental and vision plans, paid holidays, vacations and sick leave, and a variety of wellness initiatives. Benefit perks: low medical plan premium costs having a $400 deductible, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System with a 6.9% employer contribution, 10 paid holidays, ability to earn up to 12 sick days per year and vacation time available as of date of hire.

Selected candidate is subject to a background check and post-offer/pre-employment drug screen. Applications accepted until the position is filled. To be considered, submit an employment application by visiting the City of La Crosse website and clicking on City Services, then clicking Career Opportunities or by visiting https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacrossewi.

Purpose of Position

The purpose of this position is to assist with direction of staff and delivery of projects, services, maintenance, and operations of all public works infrastructure.  Assist with daily engineering and utilities department activities and staff.  Assist with direction of management of Engineering and Utilities Departments.  The work is performed under the direction of the Director of Engineering & Public Works.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

Assists with supervision of departmental activities and staff for all of Engineering & Utilities, including Water, Sewer, and Storm.  

Assigns task and projects, determines operations, monitors progress.  

Conducts staff performance evaluations.  

Administers discipline.

Works directly with Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents of Sewer and Water, including Treatment Plant, Sewers, Well, and Waterworks.

Receives and handles complaints, inquiries and concerns from the public, elected officials, and other City departments regarding engineering records, public works projects and City infrastructure.

Conducts studies to determine needs for projects and services.  Prepares study reports and recommendations.  Directs project development and construction contract administration.

Provides information to the public, city departments and other agencies regarding projects and services.  

Researches issues and notifies inquiring party regarding findings.  

Testifies as expert witness for germane subjects related to liability and accountability for Engineering & Public works.

Assists with preparation of capital and operating budgets.  Monitors operating and capital expenditures. Applies for grants and alternative funding, prepares reimbursements, and facilitates interagency financial agreements.  Assigns capital improvement project design and construction tasks to engineers, project specialists, and technicians.

Assists with direction of locating of underground utilities and facilities for planning, construction, and projects.  

Assists with direction and oversight of maintenance and updates of accurate records for underground utilities and GIS.

Assists with direction of preparing annual reports of City facilities, including streets and utilities for records, operations, and reimbursements.

Directs maintenance and updates of traffic signal systems, flood levees, utilities networks, and emergency systems.  

Responds to public records requests and prepares court testimony.

Assist with Direction and oversight of preparation of plans, specifications and estimates for public works projects.  Administers public works contracts to ensure compliance with contract provisions.  Reviews contract work for proper completion.

Prepares Ordinances and Resolutions, and recommends policy changes.

Monitors City participation in State Local Road improvement program.  

Oversees Maintenance of Gas Tax Mapping.  Determines projects to be funded.  Prepares grant agreement and submits reimbursement requests to the state.

Assist the Director of Engineering & Public Works in developing annual department budgets.  Evaluates expenditure needs.  Prepares long-range capital improvement plans and proposes implementation strategies.

Monitors City Utility plans for long-range improvements.  Prepares recommendations and priorities for capital funding and use of operation budget funds.

Assists the Director of Engineering & Public Works in responding to technical requests from various departments, agencies and individuals.  Provides information to news media and members of the public regarding street closures and constructions delays.  Writes and distributes press releases. 

Oversees issuance of various public R/W permits.  Files reports and other records regarding engineering and public works matters.

Attends and participates in meetings with Common Council, Boards, Commissions, and various committees.  

Participates in construction and department staff meetings.  Appears on behalf of Director of Engineering & Public Works at meetings.

Participates in the recruitment process for Engineering staff.  

Develops requests for proposals (RFP) from engineering consultants.  Reviews proposals and develops contract documents.  Reviews contract project progress reports and contract progress.  Monitors consultants work and approves pay requests.

Evaluates major equipment needs and equipment maintenance contracts.  Obtains equipment price quotes.

Prepares legal descriptions and maps of land transactions annexations, street/alley openings and closing for recording purposes.

Directs and reviews reports and special assessments for assessable projects.

Monitors review of surveys, certified maps and subdivision plats for compliance with local and state regulations.  

Oversees monitoring of flood levees, storm facilities, wastewater facilities, and flood control and mitigation infrastructure.

Coordinates City projects involving state and Federal authority.

Maintains regular and predictable on-site attendance.

Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information and employee personal and medical information.

May responds to emergency call-outs involving street lighting, signalized intersections, and utilities, and may provide guidance and decision making with, or in place of Director of Engineering & Public Works.

Additional Tasks and Responsibilities

While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other unit members.

Assists and directs engineering and utilities staff and crews on roadway and utility projects.

Manages departmental supply and equipment's needs, monitors expenditures and inventories, and directs purchases.

Verifies and approves invoices for payment.

Authors memoranda, letters, emails, and correspondence.  Emails and faxes messages.  

Assist with website content, public notices, and news releases.

Screens inquiries and assigns to appropriate person or agency.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, with five to seven years of experience, with knowledge and experience with public works projects, maintenance, and operations.  Wisconsin registered professional engineer.  A valid driver’s license is required.  Strong communication skills required.  Proficient in MS Office products.  Use of Procore for project and department management.

Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives.  

Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, copy, record and transcribe data and information.  

Ability to classify, compute, tabulate, and categorize data.

Ability to counsel, mediate and/or provide first line supervision.  

Ability to persuade, convince, and train others.  

Ability to advise and provide interpretation regarding the application of policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.

Ability to utilize a variety of advisory and design data and information such as various permits, utility billing statements, non-routine correspondence, press releases, public service announcements, time sheets, diagrams, schematics, site plans, architectural drawings, construction plans, maps, charts, technical traffic studies, public works project specifications, traffic signal manuals, computer software operating manuals, ordinances, state statutes, traffic control forms, DOT Facilities Development Manual, roadway specifications, computer languages, engineering manuals and Employee Handbook.

Ability to communicate orally and in writing with engineers, City employees, Common Council members, vendor representatives, news media representatives, service organizations and the general public.

Mathematical Ability

Ability to apply algebraic and trigonometric formulas.  

Ability to interpret inferential statistical reports and/or formulation and equation data.  

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability

Ability to use functional reasoning in performing influence functions such as supervising, managing, leading, teaching, directing and controlling.

Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria, as opposed to criteria which are clearly measurable. 

Physical Requirements

Ability to operate, maneuver and/or steer equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments, such as motor vehicle, stopwatch, computer terminal, traffic signal controller, traffic counter, tape measure, drafting instruments, telephone and measuring wheel.  

Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as drawing, data entry and assembling. 

Ability to exert very moderate but not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. 

Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors and shapes associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks. 

Environmental Adaptability

Ability to work under conditions which require exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations and extremes, noise, machinery and traffic hazards, electrical systems, open trenches, and observation of confined space entry.  This exposure may cause some discomfort and presents a risk of injury and requires use of PPE.

The City of La Crosse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $99,466 - $113,922