Public Works Manager

Description

The incumbent will enjoy working a 4/10 work schedule (Monday through Thursday) not including overtime or on-call shifts.

The incumbent will enjoy a family environment and be a part of an enthusiastic work force that has its own spirit committee that facilitates monthly employee events.

The incumbent will thrive working in this small culture environment allowing them to grow their knowledge, experience, resume, and prepare them for advancement by introducing them to a variety of water related projects and responsibilities.

This classification is an "at will" executive management position and exempt from overtime pay requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Under general direction of the City Manager, the classification plans, directs, implements, manages, and evaluates the programs and services of the Public Works Department, including administration, engineering, parks and medians, streets, maintenance, and utilities (water and stormwater) divisions as well as the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP); participates as a member of the City's Executive Management Team; and does related work as required.

This single-position classification leads the Public Works Department, coordinating its programs and services with other departments, agencies, and the City Manager’s Office. The role involves collaboration with the City Council and departmental representatives and requires strong knowledge in public policy, municipal operations, and project management. The incumbent is responsible for achieving departmental and City objectives within established policy guidelines.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: An original City of La Palma application must be submitted online at www.cityoflapalma.org. The City must receive completed applications, resumes, and supplemental questionnaires by the final filing date and time listed to be eligible for consideration. Facsimiles will not be accepted. Resumes will not, nor will references to a resume, be accepted in lieu of a completed City application. Please note, that the City now notifies all applicants by e-mail. Applicants that indicate a paper notification preference, will still receive paper notices; however, the information contained in those notices will likely be delayed. During the recruitment process, we encourage applicants to check their e-mail account frequently.

SELECTION PROCESS: All applications will be screened and those candidates who present the most relevant qualifications and possess the required licenses and certificates for the position will be invited to continue in the selection process. The selection process may include testing and oral interviews.

A Background Investigation, including a criminal record check may be required. All appointments are subject to the successful completion of a post-offer medical exam (including a drug and alcohol screen).

Should a qualified individual with disabilities need reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the examination process, the City of La Palma must be notified no later than five working days prior to the scheduled examination date.

The City of La Palma does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, marital status, or disability. Equal employment opportunity will apply to all personnel actions, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, training, transfers, promotions, evaluation, compensation, discipline, layoffs, terminations, and rehires.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change.

Scope of Work and Examples of Duties

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.

Directs, plans, implements, manages, and evaluates the operations, programs, polices, standards, and procedures of the Public Works Department, including administration, engineering, parks and medians, streets, maintenance, and utilities (water and stormwater) divisions; Establishes, prioritizes, and evaluates departmental goals and objectives related to Public Works Operations and Capital Improvement Program, including contracts and agreements; Oversees the administration of various consulting contracts; reviews major planning and policy issues, legislation, and complaints with citizen, advisory, and inter-agency bodies and commissions, and advises the City Manager and City Council; Determines departmental staffing needs; selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates staff; prepares and presents employee performance evaluations; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements disciplinary procedures in consultation with the Administrative Services Department; provides general direction and supervision to professional, technical, and clerical staff through subordinate supervisors; Prepares, approves, and presents departmental plans, studies, activity, and staff reports, and recommendations on behalf of the department to the City Manager, City Council, commissions, advisory groups, and professional associations; Develops and administers departmental operating and capital budget expenditures.

Develops, coordinates, and presents regional resources management plans and interfaces with officials from the Orange County Transportation Agency (OCTA), CalTrans, Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), Orange County Water District (OCWD), and other bodies, in determining and developing appropriate measures, programs, and procedures to comply with state and federal laws and environmental mandates; Evaluates and recommends the award of contracts for professional services and construction contractors; Receives and investigates citizen complaints and requests; determines and ensures appropriate disposition; monitors work completed in response to concerns forwarded by City Manager or City Council; investigates and reports on matters related to claims made against the City; Assists the City Manager as needed in managing, coordinating, and completing special projects related to public works, engineering, and administrative practices; Participates as a member of the Executive Management Team.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: theories, principles, practices, concepts, issues, and methods of engineering and maintenance; state planning and subdivisions; codes and regulations; local building codes, streets and highway codes, ordinances, and safety requirements; storm water regulations, construction administration, grant administration practices and procedures; principles of civil engineering as applied to municipal street design, lighting and traffic signals, storm drain and sewer systems, subdivisions, parcel maps, grading and plan checking activities; infrastructure management and, philosophies of organization, management, and personnel supervision.

Ability to: understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to perform assigned responsibilities; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; organize, delegate authority, and responsibility; schedule and plan work on a long term basis; establish and maintain effective relationships with management, staff, City Council, and others contacted in the course of the work; deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions; deal effectively with the public in situations requiring diplomacy and tact; supervise, train, and evaluate professional and clerical subordinates.

Education and/or Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Example combinations include:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Public or Business Administration, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field is required. Five years of experience in the operation and maintenance of public works facilities and services is required, including at least two years of supervisory and administrative experience.

Licenses and Certificates

Due to the performance of field duties which may be required, an incumbent may drive a City vehicle in the course of business. If so, an incumbent is required to possess, provide, and maintain a valid California driver license and proof of an acceptable driving record.

Possession of a State of California Certification in Water Distribution (D3), Water Treatment Certification (T2), and a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer is highly desirable.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical and mental demands and work environment 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.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is required to sit, stand, and walk. The sensory demands include the ability to talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate computer hardware and standard office equipment, and reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level. The employee occasionally lifts and carries records and documents weighing less than 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data; thoroughly analyze and solve problems; exercise sound judgment in the absence of specific guidelines; use math and mathematical reasoning; establish priorities and work on multiple assignments and projects concurrently; meet changing deadlines given interruptions; and interact appropriately with staff, management, contractors, vendors, public and private representatives, the general public, and others in the course of work.

Work Environment

The employee frequently works in office conditions where the noise level is usually moderate. The employee occasionally represents the city by attending meetings, conventions, city events, and other functions, which may occur during evenings, weekends, or outside regular working hours. Driving to various city sites may be required to complete work projects where the incumbent would encounter outside noise, dust, and debris.

Note: All employees of the City of La Palma are designated by State law to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or an undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health, and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours, and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.