Assistant Public Works Director in Pismo Beach, California at City of Pismo Beach

The City of Pismo Beach invites dynamic and experienced leaders to apply for the limited-term position of Assistant Public Works Director. This is an exciting opportunity to make an immediate impact on the infrastructure, public spaces, and essential services that keep our coastal community thriving. Overseeing a broad range of public works functions, including engineering, streets, parks, fleet, facilities, and capital projects, you will help drive key initiatives, strengthen departmental operations, and bring complex projects from vision to reality. We seek a proactive, solutions-driven leader who combines strategic thinking with a hands-on approach, builds strong partnerships, and delivers results that make a tangible difference in the community.

The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking leader with a strong background in public works and a commitment to continuous improvement. This individual will bring sound judgment, adaptability, and a strategic perspective to managing complex operations and addressing the evolving needs of the community.

The Assistant Public Works Director will provide hands-on leadership of daily operations, ensuring services are delivered effectively, resources are used responsibly, and staff have the direction and support needed to succeed. Balancing immediate operational demands with long-term priorities, the Assistant Director will also identify opportunities to improve service delivery, embrace emerging technologies, and advance initiatives that strengthen efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.

Strong communication and collaboration skills will be essential to working with city leadership, staff, and the community to develop practical solutions and advance shared goals. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on Pismo Beach by helping shape the future of its infrastructure and public services in one of California’s most distinctive coastal communities.

The City has established this limited-term, at-will position of Assistant Public Works Director to provide critical operational oversight and strategic leadership within the Public Works Department. By strategically separating the operational duties between the Public Works Director and the new Assistant Public Works Director, the position ensures long-term organizational stability, maintains high municipal service standards, and establishes a robust succession planning framework. As part of the City’s long-term succession planning efforts, the successful candidate will have opportunities to build the broad departmental knowledge, leadership capabilities, and strategic perspective that contribute to effective leadership continuity within the Public Works Department. This experience is intended to support the development of a strong leadership pipeline and the department’s long-term organizational needs.

If you are passionate about public service, skilled at building strong partnerships, and motivated to help shape the future of municipal operations, we invite you to bring your expertise to Pismo Beach.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to schedule a virtual or in-person informational meeting with the City Manager. To arrange a meeting or make a confidential inquiry, please contact Bianka Buchanan, Human Resources Officer, at (805) 773-7004 or HR@pismobeach.org.

ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR BROCHURE

Plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for functions and activities of the Public Works Department, including design and construction activities, maintenance and operations of sanitation, streets, fleet services, facilities, parks, beach and pier maintenance, environmental compliance, traffic, and development and implementation of the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP); coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; 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 Public Works Director and Assistant City Manager in areas of expertise. This is a temporary, at-will position.
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.

• Assumes full management responsibility for the Engineering and Operation Divisions (Streets, Parks, Fleet and Facilities) of the Public Works Department programs, services, and activities.
• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; establishes, within City policy, appropriate budget, service, and staffing levels.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department’s service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
• Evaluates the need for and develops, plans, and schedules for long-term public works maintenance programs; organizes available resources for the maintenance, improvement, and repair of public works facilities and City equipment; compiles estimates, contract provisions, and specifications.
• Develops, plans, organizes, and implements a long-term Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and resource plans for the future development of the community; reviews the designs, materials, and processes proposed in connection with new construction or major repairs for City facilities and capital improvements; prepares and/or reviews ordinances for City Council consideration; recommends levels of service for streets and drainage areas.
• Confers with developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies and, the general public in acquiring information and coordination of public works, streets, and related matters; provides information regarding these matters.
• Administers the subdivision approval process including improvement plans, track maps, parcel maps, and development reviews.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements and administers same after award.
• 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.
• Develops financial plans, rate studies, grant proposals and other financing mechanisms to support the department’s goals and objectives.
• Participates in and makes presentations to the City Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions; represents the community at various regional government meetings regarding transportation, growth, and development issues.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public works maintenance, operations, and other services as they relate to the area of assignment.
• Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect City or departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager.
• Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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.
• Public agency budget development, contract administration, City-wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs; principles and practices of municipal government administration.
• Principles and practices of public works program development, management in a municipal setting, and public works long-term maintenance planning and budgeting.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Record-keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the City.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility; select, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations; effectively administer a variety of public works programs and administrative activities.
• Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in engineering, public administration, or a related field and five (5) years of management and/or administrative experience in professional engineering, capital improvement programs, and public works management and operations.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.

Recruitment Timeline:

Candidates should include a cover letter and resume with their application.