Assistant Director of Engineering & Technical Services

Salary : $86,501.00 - $124,562.00 Annually

Location : Portsmouth, VA

Job Type : Full-Time Regular

Job Number : FY2024-00882

Department : Engineering

Opening Date : 12 / 17 / 2024

Closing Date : 3 / 1 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern

General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, this position assists the Director of Engineering in the planning, administration and implementation of engineering functions for all city capital improvement designs and construction projects. Reports to the Director of Engineering.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assists with the administrative oversight for departmental activities and functions, responsible for day-to-day supervision of division managers and other staff. Coordinates work production. Advises and assists in developing departmental direction, priorities, goals and objectives to meet department and city engineering needs.

Assists with planning, organizing and coordinating complex project activities including engineering design projects for building construction and renovation, traffic and transportation, drainage and stormwater management, public utilities, and the construction and rehabilitation of bridges and roadways.

Assists the director with project planning and project management. Develops and maintains published city construction standards and policies.

Assists with the overall management of the department; including budget research, development, preparation and budget monitoring to ensure cost effectiveness; ensures that purchasing and financial transactions are properly conducted in accordance with city administrative policies and procedures.

Assists with the development of proposals and reports as requested by City Manager and City Council. Assists with the coordination of City Manager planning related items for placement on City Council Agendas and Work Sessions.

Responsible for the effective supervision of assigned staff including training and evaluation of work.

Serves as department liaison for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and other state and federal agencies.

Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job : Has thorough knowledge of the theory, principles, regulations / codes andmethodologies of designing engineering, administering and inspecting engineering projects. Has considerable knowledge of the policies and procedures of public administration; of managing programs and services through subordinate managers and staff. Has considerable knowledge of erosion control law and practices; and of supervisory and administrative policies and procedures pertaining to budget, personnel and resource utilization and procurement. Is able to design, review, administer, and inspect complex engineering projects; to direct and supervise programs through staff; to develop policies and operating procedures to achieve same. Is able to supervise staff in designing, managing, inspecting engineering projects. Is able to direct staff in designing, managing, inspecting engineering projects and in maintaining and repairing city streets and drainage structures. Is able to understand and interpret oral and written instructions. Is able to plan and supervise the work of inspectors. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality of Work : Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities.Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all departments, co-workers and the public.

Quantity of Work : Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities asdescribed under "Essential Job Functions."

Dependability : Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, policies, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance : Attends work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absencesand tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm : Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach tomeet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment : Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems orsituations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation : Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals andobjectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with policy or procedures, etc.

Relationships with Others : Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual anddepartmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees and managers in other departments, to project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, the City Manager, professionals and the general public.

Coordination of Work : Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for thecompletion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions of time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.

Safety and Housekeeping : Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by thecity and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Planning : Plans, directs and uses information effectively to enhance activities and production ofthe department. Knows and understands the expectations of the city regarding the activities of the department and works to see that these expectations are met. Designs and formulates ways, means and timing to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and the city. Within the constraints of city policy, formulates the appropriate strategy and tactics for achieving departmental and city objectives. Organizes, arranges and allocates manpower, financial and other designated resources in an efficient and effective way to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and city.

Organizing : Organizes work and that of subordinate staff well. Ensures that staff members knowwhat results are expected of them and that they are regularly and appropriately informed of all city and department matters affecting them and / or concern to them.

Staffing : Works with other city officials and management to select and recommend employmentof personnel for the department who are qualified both technically and philosophically to meet the needs of the department and city. Personally, directs the development and training of department personnel in order to ensure that they are properly inducted, oriented and trained.

Leading : Provides a work environment which encourages clear and open communications. Has aclear and comprehensive understanding of the principles of effective leadership and how such principles are to be applied. Provides adequate feedback to staff so that they know whether their performance levels are satisfactory. Commends and rewards employees for outstanding performance yet does not hesitate to take disciplinary action when necessary. Exercises enthusiasm in influencing and guiding others toward the achievement of city goals and objectives.

Controlling : Provides a work environment which is orderly and controlled. Coordinates, auditsand controls manpower and financial resources efficiently and effectively. Coordinates, audits and controls the utilization of materials and equipment efficiently and effectively. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city standards, methods and procedures.

Delegating : Assigns additional duties to staff as necessary and / or appropriate to meet departmentgoals, enhance staff abilities, build confidence on the job and assist staff members in personal growth. Has confidence in staff to meet new or additional expectations.

Decision Making : Uses discretion and judgment in developing and implementing courses of actionaffecting the department. When a policy, procedure or strategy does not appear to be achieving the desired result, moves decisively and definitively to develop and implement alternatives.

Creativity : Regularly seeks new and improved methodologies, policies and procedures forenhancing the effectiveness of the department and city. Employs imagination and creativity in the application of duties and responsibilities. Is not averse to change.

Human Relations : Strives to develop and maintain good rapport with all staff members. Listensto and considers suggestions and complaints and responds appropriately. Maintains the respect and loyalty of staff.

Policy Implementation : Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city policies regardingthe department and city function. Adheres to those policies in the discharge of duties and responsibilities and ensures the same from subordinate staff.

Policy Formulation : Keeps abreast of changes in operating philosophies and policies of the cityand continually reviews department policies to ensure that any changes in city philosophy or practice are appropriately incorporated. Also understands the relationship between operating policies and practices and department morale and performance. Works to see that established policies enhance same.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or a related field and 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience and 3-5 years of supervisory experience in engineering, or a related field, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check and sex offender registry check.

A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Must possess and maintain a current Professional Engineering license from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Must obtain certification as a Combined Program Administrator for Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control within one (1) year of employment or assuming position.

Physical Demands

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements : Must be able demonstrate physical flexibility needed to inspect existingstructures and completed construction and renovation work; must be physically able to use varied office equipment. Requires the ability to exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and / or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and / or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are those for Light Work.

Data Conception : Requires the ability to compare and / or judge the readily observable, functional,structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications : Requires the ability of speaking and / or signaling people toconvey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments and directions to co-workers or assistants, as well as receiving information and assignments from supervisor.

Language Ability : Requires the ability to read program and policy manuals, blueprints,construction drawings, city code, contracts, technical publications, financial statements, and prepared reports on program activities. Requires the ability to prepare drawings, plans sketches, contracts, estimates, specifications, correspondence, reports, policy statements, and budget and administrative documentation using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence : Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a widerange of intellectual and practical problems; to deal with nonverbal symbolism in its most difficult phases; to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables; to comprehend the most abstruse classes of concepts.

Verbal Aptitude : Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, tofollow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using standard English and engineering terminology.

Numerical Aptitude : Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add,subtract, multiply, and divide; to determine percentages; to calculate interest, profit and loss, proportions, etc.; and to perform calculations involving variables, formulas, square roots and polynomials.

Form / Spatial Aptitude : Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination : Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately inusing a variety of office equipment.

Manual Dexterity : Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as office equipment. Musthave minimal levels of eye / hand / foot coordination.

Color Discrimination : Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament : Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receivinginstructions. Must be adaptable to performing under high levels of stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress (emergency situations).

Physical Communication : Requires the ability to talk and / or hear : (talking - expressing orexchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.

The city of Portsmouth offers a complete and comprehensive benefit package to full-time employees including : medical, dental, vision, legal, Flexible Spending Accounts, basic and optional life insurance, short-term disability insurance, Virginia Retirement System (includes a mandatory 5% employee contribution), holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, and Chartway Credit Union. To learn more details, visit

Do you have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

Please select the highest level of education completed.

• Less than High School
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College
• Associates / Vocational / Technical
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher

This position requires a Professional Engineering License. Do you possess this license?

Are you able to obtain a certificate from the Department of Environmental Quality as an Erosion & Sediment Control Inspector, and Stormwater Management Inspector within one (1) year of employment as required for this position?

Do you have at least y 3-5 years of supervisory experience in engineering?

Do you have 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in Engineering?

Required Question

Salary : $86,501 - $124,562