Deputy Director - Public Works Engineering

Deputy Director - Engineering

This recruitment is to fill one position within the Public Works - Engineering Department. The Deputy Director - Engineering is vital to the department's current operational success and long-term goals. The ideal candidate will have experience in capital project delivery through all phases; design, environmental, right-of-way and construction. Experience with project delivery consistent with Caltrans Local Assistance processes, which include State and Federal funding sources. Management experience of technical staff on projects and processes. Familiarity with contract compliance for A&E contracts.

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the staff and operations in the Public Works Engineering Department; performs management and oversight of Public Works Engineering's programs; provides administrative oversight of day-to-day activities including the implementation and administration of City-wide policies and programs and the establishment and enforcement of departmental policies and procedures; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments, and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the Director of Public Works - Engineering in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

Job Description

Receives administrative direction from the Director of Public Works - Engineering. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

This is a deputy department director classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Public Works - Engineering Department including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the Director of Public Works - Engineering in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, City functions and activities, including the role of the City Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, and for furthering City goals and objectives within general policy guidelines. This class is distinguished from the Director of Public Works - Engineering in that the latter has overall management responsibility for all public works programs, functions, and activities, and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.

Examples of typical job functions (illustrative only) :

• Assumes management responsibility for the Public Works - Engineering Department's programs, services, and activities including oversight of project management and capital projects or as assigned by the Director; serves in an acting capacity during the absence of the Director of Public Works.
• Under the direction of the Director, develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the department; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Manages the development and administration of the annual budget and capital improvement budgets for the department; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments.
• Under the direction of the Director, selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees on performance issues; responds to staff questions and concerns; makes discipline recommendations to the Director of Public Works.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with the Director; directs the implementation of improvements.
• Participates in capital improvement project (CIP) planning activities; provides input into the conceptual design of engineering projects; investigates and resolves problems with scope of work or cost issues of major facility upgrade and replacement projects.
• Manages and directs the development of construction and modernization plans for the City; meets with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating engineering matters; provides information regarding City development requirements.
• Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Participates in and makes presentations to the City Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions as directed.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering and other types of public works services.
• Directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the Director of Public Works - Engineering.
• Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Serves as a spokesperson for the department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of : administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision; principles and practices of leadership; principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly; principles and practices of strategic plan development; principles and practices of budget development and administration; principles and practices of contract administration and management; general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area; principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures; organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility; functions, authority, and responsibilities of an elected City Council; principles and practices of engineering and administration as applied to the design and construction of public works facilities and technical inspection services; methods, materials, and techniques employed in public works construction projects; federal and state transportation and grant funding policies, procedures, and mechanisms; modern and complex principles, practices, methods, equipment, and materials involved in street maintenance, sewer maintenance, street signs, traffic, underground, wastewater treatment, and safety devices; characteristics and uses of asphalt, concrete, and other paving materials; Public Contract Code; methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of public works projects; recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned division; methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence; techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations; research and recordkeeping methods and techniques; federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility; City and mandated safety rules, regulations and protocols; techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff; the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar; modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to : develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, strategic plans, and work standards; provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the Department; prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner; interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards relevant to work performed; plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility; select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner; research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques; effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with contractual obligations; coordinate and direct public works projects and programs; interpret and explain City programs policies and procedures; write grant applications and appropriately administer grant programs; understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed; evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods; oversee and participate in the management of comprehensive public works administration; read and interpret plans and specifications; estimate time, materials, and equipment needed to perform maintenance and repair work; analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner; effectively represent the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and