Assistant Public Works Director at County of Tuolumne – Sonora, California

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The County of Tuolumne Department of Public Works is committed to enhancing the quality of life for residents and travelers by ensuring safe and reliable infrastructure. With a dedicated team of 60 professionals, the department operates with a focus on public service and efficiency.

Tuolumne County, nestled in the Sierra Nevada, offers a diverse range of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the stunning landscapes of Yosemite National Park, hike scenic trails in the Stanislaus National Forest, or enjoy water activities at Pinecrest Lake. The area is also a haven for camping, fishing, and rock climbing, while winter months bring excellent skiing and snowboarding at Dodge Ridge. With charming Gold Rush towns, historic railways, and vibrant arts and culture, Tuolumne County is a year-round destination for adventure and relaxation.

The department manages a comprehensive range of responsibilities through its 13 distinct budgets, totaling approximately $30 million for the current fiscal year. Its divisions include:

• Engineering: Oversees planning and execution of infrastructure projects, including securing millions in grants annually for bridge and roadway improvements.
• Road Maintenance: Maintains 610 miles of County roads including routine maintenance, emergency response, seasonal work, and safety and signage.
• Fleet Services: Provides maintenance and repair services for all County vehicles except those used by Fire services.
• Business: Manages the administrative and financial aspects of the department.
• Survey/GIS: Handles surveying and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support planning and development.
• Solid Waste: Oversees the management of two closed landfills and three transfer stations, ensuring proper waste disposal and environmental compliance.
• Airports: Manages two airports, including three runways and 83 hangars, covering over 400 acres of land.
• Facilities: Maintains and cleans all County buildings and infrastructure.

Together, these divisions work to maintain and improve the county’s infrastructure, supporting both local needs and broader regional development.

Under administrative direction of Public Works Director, assists in planning, organizing, managing and providing administrative direction and oversight for all activities and functions for the Facilities and Solid Waste divisions within the Public Works Department; fosters cooperative working relationships among County 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 in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from the Public Works Director. Exercises general direction and supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a single incumbent classification that oversees, directs, and participates in major activities and programs of the Public Works Department. This classification is responsible for providing professional-level support to the Public Works Director in a variety of areas, and assists in short- and long-term planning, development, and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, fiscal management, applicable laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in multiple areas. Responsibilities include performing and directing many of the department’s day-to-day administrative functions. This class is distinguished from the Public Works Director in that the latter has overall responsibility for all functions of the Department and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.
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.

• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the Public Works Director.
• Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the programs and activities of the Public Works Department to ensure the provision of effective and efficient services to the community.
• Assists in managing and participates in the development and administration of the department’s budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs the preparation and implementation of budgetary adjustments.
• Participates in the preparation of grant applications for Federal and State funding; identifies new grant opportunities and insures appropriate Federal and State funding is claimed; monitors post award funding activities.
• Selects, trains, provides staff development and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; makes discipline recommendations to the Public Works Director; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect County or department operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department’s service by participating in the development, review, and implementation of policies and procedures to meet legal and regulatory requirements and County needs; continuously monitors 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 and makes recommendations to the Public Works Director; implements change upon approval.
• Represents the Public Works Department to State and Federal Agencies, other County departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; provides staff support to and serves as member on multi-disciplinary and community teams, committees, and task forces, as necessary.
• Conducts or directs a variety of analytical studies on department-related functions; recommends modifications to programs, policies and procedures as appropriate.
• Makes presentations to the Board of Supervisors and a variety of boards; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of solid waste and facilities management related to Public Works.
• Performs special assignments for the Public Works Department.
• Serves as the Public Works Director in the Director's absence.

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, administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations affecting all departments in the Public Works Department.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Methods and techniques for writing and presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, andprocedures.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in workprocedures.
• Record keeping principles andprocedures.
• Comprehension of statistical analysis and reporting; basic mathematics andarithmetic.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to thework.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, andpunctuation.
• Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors and County staff, in person, over the telephone, and inwriting.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Assist in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the Public Works Department and assigned program areas.
• Assist in preparing 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, regulations.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional and technical personnel, delegate authority andresponsibility.
• Select, train, provide staff development and evaluate the work of staff and training staff in work procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, andtechniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other writtenmaterials.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staffreports.
• Effectively represent the Public Works Department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, businesses, professional and regulatory organizations, and in meetings withindividuals.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and trackingsystems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical timedeadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applicationsprograms.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and inwriting.
• Perform mathematical computations; understand and interpret statistical analysis andreports.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Education and Experience:
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

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, public administration, business administration, environmental science, or related field and two (2) years of increasingly responsible management level experience in the public sector. A Master’s degree in civil engineering, public administration, business administration, environmental science, or related field is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record.
• Registration as a Civil Engineer with the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers is desirable.