Public Works Director at City of Buckley – Buckley, Washington

SUMMARY: The Public Works Director provides leadership an innovative, data-driven environment that builds the activities and operations of Buckley’s Public Works Department. This individual is responsible for: public works operations, capital improvement project plans both development and administration, assist with transportation planning and engineering, land development engineering review, water and sewer systems operations and planning, stormwater operations and planning, management of public right of ways, develop department budgets, and permit review.

This position works under the broad policy guidance of the City Administrator and directs the operations of the department following state and federal constitutional laws, as well as other administrative and legislative policies, and the policies and ordinances of the City of Buckley. This individual is primarily responsible for establishing and implementing department policies, effectively managing finances and coordinating the use of all available resources in a manner that provides stability to the department and appropriate services to the community. The director performs specialized work which requires the ability to exercise independent judgement, initiative, and discretion, and completes projects and accepts additional responsibilities, as directed by the City Administrator.

The Public Works Director works closely with other department heads to collaborate on integrated solutions and has contact with numerous outside government officials as well as vendors and consultants to best equip the Public Works Department.

The Buckley Public Works Department team is highly collaborative and team oriented. The ideal candidate must be a good communicator and solution focused, enabling a participatory approach to leadership with a goal of obtaining high decision quality. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to wear many hats and must be capable of leading the team to successful solutions for a range of topics including budget, capital projects, land development, utility rates, personnel, organizational structure, and long-range strategic planning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all the following essential functions. These examples do not include all the duties which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Assume full management responsibility for all department services and activities including operations and maintenance of sewer, water, storm utilities and streets. Assist with management of facilities and parks maintenance.
• Responsible for the preparation and monitoring of the department budget.
• Knowledge of grant writing and grant management.
• Manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area.
• Establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Direct the activities and staff of the department. Works closely with the Public Works Supervisor and Management Analyst to assign work to employees, evaluates employee performance through observation and reports; ensures proper employee training; and administers personnel policies for department employees.
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
• Performs project and construction management for assigned Public Works capital projects including review of design documents, construction plans, specifications, right-of-way plans, legal documents, contract documents, technical reports, project schedules, and project cost estimates.
• Manage, direct, and implement long-range planning activities including comprehensive utility management plans, Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), utility and parks Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) and related programs.
• Negotiate and administer professional, construction and service contracts and agreements.
• Coordinate with vendors, engineers and contractors for special maintenance; prepare specifications for bids on maintenance work; monitors contractor’s activities to insure compliance with contracts.
• Oversee project management for the construction of the municipal public works projects. Oversees assigned projects to ensure contractor compliance with time and budget parameters for the project.
• Oversee and develop procedures, policies and systems related to transportation, water, wastewater, storm water, solid waste collection, parks, building maintenance, construction inspection, subdivisions, mapping, surveying and environmental services.
• Oversee the review of private project development plans for compliance with codes, regulations, and standards, adequacy of applications for permits and compliance with approved plans.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Represent the Public Works Department to other departments, elected officials and outside agencies.
• Attend regular and special City Council meetings, when requested; participate in meetings, workshops, and conferences with city commissions, committees, and others; provide information on department programs and projects.
• Coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public works administration and professional engineering.
• Prepares periodic work progress reports; maintains and submits required records, logs, maps, blueprints and charts; and maintains employee time and attendance records.
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Applies and ensures compliance with modern safety practices and OSHA regulations in the operation and maintenance of all operations and facilities.
• Develops and maintains a climate in which morale, motivation, human relationships, and individual effectiveness can flourish.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervises mid-level supervisors and other assigned plant operators, maintenance workers and equipment operators in a wide variety of tasks. The number of workers supervised will vary depending upon the nature and scope of projects, seasonal requirements, presence or lack of emergency conditions, and availability of qualified personnel. Primary emphasis is on the purposeful supervision of work teams engaged in various public works projects as assigned. Incumbents will develop effective working relationships with program officials as well as with City employees and the general public.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, the person in this position must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Education/Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Public Administration from an accredited institution.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of progressive management experience
• Five (5) years’ experience in local government
• Experience in Public Works
• Experience working with elected and appointed officials in a variety of situations
• Experience in writing and presenting information to the public and elected officials
• Strong leadership and communication skills and be able to direct effective and amicable community relations.
• Strong oral and writing skills

License/Certifications:

• Valid Washington State Drivers License
• Professional Engineer- preferred

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, and SKILLS:

• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, County and City laws, codes and regulations related to municipal public works maintenance and construction operations;
• Knowledge of City organization, operations, policies and objectives;
• Knowledge of principles and practices of administration, supervision and training;
• Knowledge of City bid preparation and purchasing policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of budget preparation and control;
• Knowledge of materials, methods, and techniques commonly used in construction, maintenance, and repair activities as relates to assigned areas of specialization;
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety standards and practices applicable to the work being supervised;
• Knowledge of the properties, utilization, and care of the materials, tools, and equipment used by the employees supervised;
• Knowledge of chemical and physical processes involved in wastewater treatment and water storage and distribution;
• Knowledge of laboratory analysis and tests required for water and wastewater systems;
• Ability to efficiently and effectively supervise and coordinate the activities of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled employees performing a wide variety of maintenance, repair, and service functions;
• Ability to make sound and timely recommendations for projects implementation, and/or modification based upon established department plans and results of personal observations and needs analysis;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing;
• Ability to select, supervise, train and evaluate subordinates;
• Ability to work closely with engineering consultants and contractors on capital improvement projects;
• Ability to establish effective working relationships, use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with other employees and the public;
• Ability to read charts, diagrams, and blueprints;
• Ability to work effectively under stress, with changes in work priorities, and in emergency situations;
• Ability to simultaneously manage several diverse projects;
• Ability to effectively resolve complaints or issues.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Knowledge and ability to use a computer (primarily MS Word, Office & Excel), Cellular Phone, Telephone, adding machine and/or calculator.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS ON WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with others, in person and by radio and travel to other locations. Sitting, standing, walking for prolonged periods of time may be required. An employee in this position will spend some of their time in an indoor facility with a controlled climate where they sit and work on a computer as well as working outside in a variety of environmental extremes such as heat, cold and rain. Physical demands, therefore, range from sitting in an office or vehicle to the significant physical exertion associated with completing public works projects.

This position may periodically require some weekend, holiday and evening work.