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Public Works Director

Public Works Director

Travis County, TXAustin, TX, United States
11 days ago
Salary
$50,000.00 yearly
Job description

Salary : $170,000.00 - $190,000.00 Annually

Location : Austin, TX

Job Type : Full Time

Remote Employment : Flexible / Hybrid

Job Number : 24-09835

Department : TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

Opening Date : 03 / 03 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 28 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central

Job Summary

Travis County's Transportation and Natural Resources (TNR) department is seeking to fill the Public Works Director position with an authentic and dynamic leader.

This position is eligible for a remote / hybrid work schedule!

The model candidate should have a proven track record of ensuring consistent and effective execution of systems and processes that makes optimal use of department and organizational resources. Candidate will meet the ever-changing needs of a highly visible and complex department with a budget of over $41M for Operations and Maintenance and $595M for the Capital Improvement Program. Four Assistant Directors report directly to the Director to include Road & Bridge Operations, Capital Improvement Program, Fleet Services and Traffic Engineering. The Public Works division has a total of 230 employees. The position is ideal for a leader with innovation; one who establishes vision and direction, fosters and builds team confidence, and has the ability to motivate others to reach a common goal. To be successful in this position the ideal candidate must be proactive, embrace and lead change, and be people centric. Having the ability to lead with tenacity and diplomacy is essential in this role. Applicants that fit this profile and have a strong background in governmental public works and are innovative, collaborative leaders are strongly encouraged to apply.

Distinguishing Characteristics :

This is a job classification within the Senior Management / Middle Management job family. Incumbents in this classification serves as the administrator. This classification is distinguished by the administrative duties and responsibilities, licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.), and required additional senior level management, project management and / or administrative experience. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Plans, organizes, directs, reviews and evaluates the activities, functions and operations of the division.
  • Coordinates and works closely with officials, department heads, multiple outside suppliers, other County employees and outside agencies. Serves as professional technical advisor, and may represent the department and / or County with customers and media.
  • Monitors and oversees that services delivered are in compliance with statutory applicable laws, rules, regulations and applicable standards and procedures established by the state, court and the department.
  • Manages the resources of the department to ensure the completion of long-term projects on time and under budget. Develops and implements plans for financing improvements and reviews and approves the improvements. Reviews plans, reports, budget estimates and proposals. Manages the preparation and administration of the budget. Prepares a variety of fiscal and administrative reports.
  • Negotiates and oversees services contracts, supplemental agreements and services assuring financial integrity. Oversees the preparation of bid documents and contracts, and manages these contracts to successful completion. Monitors inter-governmental actions.
  • Directs and participates in the development and implementation of strategic short and long-term plans. Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, procedures or priorities, and coordinates with officials to achieve those goals. Plans, schedules, reviews and evaluates work needs on a short and long-term basis. Studies and standardizes department policies and practices.
  • Supervises professional, technical and administrative support staff, evaluates staff job performance, coordinates schedules and assignments. Authorizes staff productive and non-productive work hours. Confers with and advises staff on problems related to the design, operation, interpretation and compliance of systems.
  • Analyzes and responds to difficult inquires, grievances and complaints.
  • Represents the County by attending meetings, community meetings, seminars, conferences and professional association meetings. Participates in private organizations and serves on related committees.
  • Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience :

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering AND eight (8) years of directly related, increasingly responsible and varied professional engineering project management, developing and managing public works, or municipal management experience, including five (5) years of senior level management, project management and / or administrative experience.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements :

Licensed to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas issued by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. If licensed in another state, must acquire license reciprocity in the State of Texas within six (6) months of date of hire.

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred :

Master's degree in Civil Engineering a directly related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge of :

  • Principles and practices, programs, systems, methods and techniques of municipal public works, including planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance.
  • Technical, legal, financial and public relation problems involved in the conduct of a municipal public works program.
  • Methods of preparing designs, plans, specifications, estimates, reports and recommendations relating to proposed public works facilities.
  • Principles of project management, including scheduling, estimating, contracts and budgeting.
  • Theory, principles, practices and methods of state and local public engineering, construction, street maintenance and contract administration.
  • Advanced mathematical and statistical methods as used in engineering and planning.
  • Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, regulatory codes, rules, permits, licenses, purposes, sources, standards, policies and procedures.
  • Recent developments and current literature regarding engineering.
  • Methods, practices and techniques of inspections, compliance and enforcement.
  • Budget preparation and office management.
  • Computer equipment to include word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, maps, records, graphics, project scheduling and management, and other related engineering applications.
  • Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

    • Skill in :

  • Planning and directing a variety of engineering projects.
  • Improving seamless customer service delivery.
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with the community, employees and other agencies.
  • Analyzing and evaluating complex data, technical engineering data and reports.
  • Contract negotiation, compliance and dispute resolution.
  • Supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
  • Applying principles and practices as used in engineering.
  • Adapting approved engineering methods and standards in variety of engineering projects.
  • Contract management and project budgeting.
  • Using and caring of equipment, tools and testing materials.
  • Using and caring of computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), Geographic Information System (GIS) and other related electronic equipment.
  • Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.
  • Problem-solving and technical decision-making for developing effective solutions.
  • Both verbal and written communication.

    • Ability to :

  • Direct, plan and implement division operations and activities.
  • Provide operational management, administration, organizational leadership and team building.
  • Manage and prioritize programs, projects and activities.
  • Delegate authority and responsibility, and to schedule and program work on a long-term basis.
  • Perform complex engineering studies, analysis and design.
  • Work independently.
  • Exercise sound judgment and make decisions.
  • Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
  • Perform technical research, calculations and computations, and prepare plans and reports.
  • Convey complex ideas and concepts verbally and in writing.
  • Plan, assign, supervise, train and review the work of professional and technical subordinates.
  • Interpret plans, specifications, standards, policies, procedures and regulatory codes.
  • Respond to inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the professional community.
  • Perform in a fast-paced and stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
  • Make appropriate and effective public presentations.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, developers, engineers, contractors, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

    • Work Environment & Other Information

    Physical requirements include the ability to lift / carry up to 10-60 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client / customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with noise, vibration, fumes, foul odor, dirt, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation, parts, and tools or machinery. Requires use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, and gloves. Requires fieldwork, and exposure to traffic, public work development sites, construction site hazards, climbing and walking and traveling over rough, uneven, mud, rocky, high grass terrain, and indoors / outdoors in all types of weather (excessive heat and cold).

    Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

    This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

    Work Hours : 8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday

    Location : 700 Lavaca Street Austin, Texas 78701

    Department : TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

    Criminal Background Check, Driving, Education, Employment Verification Required.

    Benefits

    Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

    FY2025 Travis County Benefit Guide

    In this valuable you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

    Credit Union

    Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

    Deferred Compensation

    Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

    Direct Deposit

    Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

    Employee Assistance Program

    Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

    Employee Organizations

    Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

    Employee Health & Wellness Clinic

    Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

    Holidays

    An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

    Insurance

    Employees may select from four plans : an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

    The following benefits are employee paid :

  • Dental

    • Vision

    Supplemental Life, AD&D

    Dependent Life

    Short Term Disability

    Long Term Disability

    Long Term Care

    New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

    Longevity

    Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.

    On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.

    Parking

    A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

    Personal Holidays

    Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he / she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins :

    January - March

    3 personal holidays

    April - June

    2 personal holidays

    July - September

    1 personal holiday

    October - December

    None

    New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.

    Retirement

    Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

    Sick Leave

    Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

    Parental Leave

    Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.

    Tuition Refund

    Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.

    Vacation

    Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates :

    0 to 5 years

    4.0 hours per pay period

    6 to 10 years

    4.5 hours per pay period

    11 to 15 years

    5.0 hours per pay period

    16 to 20 years

    5.5 hours per pay period

    21 plus years

    6.0 hours per pay period

    Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.

    Workers' Compensation

    The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.