PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Description

Statement of Duties: The Director of Public Works is responsible for overseeing the operations, planning, and management of all public works programs and services within the municipality including the public infrastructure, public ways, wastewater collection, water supply and distribution system, surface and subsurface storm water collection system, flood control systems, and the Department’s facilities. Performs complex supervisory, administrative, professional and civil engineering work in planning, directing and managing the operations of the Department of Public Works; maintains and improves the efficiency and effectiveness of all areas under his/her direction and control.

Examples of Duties

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Plans, coordinates, directs, supervises and prioritizes the programs and activities of the Department including the coordination of manpower, equipment and supplies; develops both short and long-term plans to meet the Department’s needs and emerging issues.
• Supervises, directly or through subordinate supervisors, all Department personnel; establishes and enforces rules and regulations; recommends personnel for appointment, promotion, discipline and dismissal; evaluates management staff for performance and ensures that other performance review measures are implemented for other department personnel.
• Develops and implements appropriate Department rules, regulations and policies; establishes recordkeeping procedures, methods and standard operating procedures; conducts necessary research and investigation into various matters and issues pertaining to the Department.
• Oversees all plans for the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, cleaning and repair of the town’s critical infrastructure relating to roadway, sidewalk, traffic systems, water and sewer utilities, flood control, motor vehicle equipment and storm drainage systems. This includes pavement management programs, snow and ice control programs, management of solid waste programs and the Department’s response to storm related emergencies.
• Optimizes the use of resources to maintain the Town’s Public rights of way (ROW) in a state of good repair and open to the public for the safe passage of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The responsibilities include the development of plans for the rehabilitation of sidewalks and roadways for the future application of federal, state and Town funds.
• Oversees the construction and maintenance of storm drainage systems including the annual cleaning of catch basins, and underground conduits, culverts, ditches and streams.
• Establishes priorities, reviews plans for reconstruction of the public infrastructure, plans for its timely repair to minimize the risk of failure and reviews plans and makes final determinations relative to the expansion or retraction of the existing systems.
• Responsible for the management of the public utility infrastructure of the Town consisting of a water distribution system and a wastewater collection system.
• Develops and periodically revises the Department’s planned operational response to emergency storm events such as snow and ice storms, hurricanes and flooding.
• Oversees the management of the Storm water Infrastructure and plans for its improvement in accordance with federal EPA and Massachusetts DEP requirements.
• Prepares, or supervises the preparation of the Departmental operating and enterprise fund budgets; administers the approved budget in conformance with the authorized spending plan; develops long-range capital improvement plans for infrastructure and for equipment replacement and upgrade; coordinates and administers departmental capital improvement programs.
• Reviews and approves the requisitions of department equipment, materials and supplies as well as department expenditures.
• Participates in collective bargaining matters pertaining to Departmental personnel by serving as a member of the Town’s management negotiating team, and by administering and enforcing the provisions of applicable collective bargaining accords; ensures that other Town personnel policies and procedures are faithfully adhered to.
• Supervises construction projects either performed in-house by DPW staff or by contracted forces; develops standards to ensure project quality and timeliness.
• Recommends usage and fee rates for service and inspection programs of the Department. Prepares schedules, formulas and fees for sewer assessments and use charges. Develops associated policies and procedures for implementation and management of these assessments and charges. Monitors revenue stream for conformance with budget expectations.
• Develops programs and permit systems for street openings, driveway openings, utility connections and other similar matters; inspects sites to determine conformance with requirements.
• Attends meetings with the Town Council and other boards and commissions as warranted and with state and regional agencies; responds to requests for information and assistance from citizens and outside agencies and organizations.
• Manages and coordinates federal and state grant programs and accounts for grant funds in collaboration with the Office of Municipal Finance and ensures compliance with program regulatory standards.
• Provides consultation to other departments on engineering and private development matters.
• Develops inspection schedules and programs for subdivision developments, capital improvement construction and miscellaneous other permit or code requirements; may conduct filed inspections as necessary.
• Promotes and maintains responsive community relations. Responds directly to citizen complaints which are not able to be resolved at lower levels to ensure that proper action was taken in accordance with Town policies and procedures and expected service or quality levels.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience: Graduate from accredited four (4) year college or university with specialization in engineering, construction management, public or business administration or related field; more than ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public works with a minimum of five (5) years in a supervisory position; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential function of the job. Experience with managing public utilities, government procurement, applying for state and federal grant funding, emergency planning/management preferred.

Special Requirements: Motor Vehicle Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Comprehensive technical and practical knowledge of the materials, methods and techniques relative to public works projects and construction contract administration and estimations; thorough knowledge of public works financing and civil engineering practices and techniques; thorough knowledge of the materials methods and techniques relative to public works construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of municipal infrastructures with an emphasis on drainage, streets, bridges, water and sewer utilities; thorough knowledge of Massachusetts General Laws and regulations regarding procurement regulations and bidding procedures, solid waste and land use; knowledge of snow and ice control techniques and practices; an understanding of computer applications in engineering design and drafting word processing, data collection and spreadsheets in support of department operations. Knowledge of collective bargaining rules and regulations.

Abilities: Ability to motivate employees and to organize a large department so that it has functional accountability; ability to effectively communicate with the public and with boards and committees, including the Town Council, on the critical importance of the work performed in the maintenance and improvement of the public infrastructure; ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with Town officials and departments, state agencies and the general public; ability to manage people and programs within a public utility in a style which leads productive employees toward the accomplishment of established goals and objectives; ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form; ability to prepare and administer budgets and to prepare in-depth reports and translate technical information into lay terms; ability to delegate responsibility and work well with subordinates.

Skills: Effective management and leadership skills; skill in developing policies and procedures to accomplish goals and objectives; imagination, innovation and judgment relating to planning and achieving department goals. Financial management skills. Excellent planning, time management and organizational skills. Proficient in computer skills.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Part-time employees who work an average of __ hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis. To learn more details, visit our benefits page.