Director Of Public Works

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under limited supervision, this position manages the administration of operations, budgets, and programs for the Department of Public Works. This position leads and is responsible for developing and administering programs, budgets, procedures, and systems for the division of stormwater management, streets & highways, and mosquito control within the department of  Public Works.

 This position is an appointed position and serves at the pleasure of the City Manager. Reports to the City Manager or designee.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Responsible for the overall leadership and administration of all divisions within the Department of Public Works, to include budget research, annual operations, budget preparation, and budget monitoring to ensure cost effectiveness; Ensures that department purchasing, and financial transactions are properly conducted in accordance with city administrative policies and procedures.  

Provides supervisory oversight and leadership through effective management practices. Performs personnel evaluations, addressing and resolving personnel issues and problems. Responsible for leading the efforts of hiring, training and development for the department.

Develops, updates and re-evaluates goals, internal policies, long-term plans and sets goals for the department; coordinates the preparation of plans and specifications for construction projects undertaken by the department; recommends stormwater, and streets & highways capital improvement projects and their funding mechanisms; responsible for the maintenance of all City streets, highways and bridges; directs the preparation of Capital Improvement plans; and presents departmental budget.

Prepares, negotiates, and presents changes to city and State codes and regulatory agency rules relating to stormwater, streets & highways, administrative and financial issues; selects, oversees, and evaluates outside consultants on infrastructure, financial and legal matters; provides assistance in contract negotiation; negotiates and administers contract for long-term services and goods with vendors, architects, contractors and neighboring cities; responds to inquiries and complaints and ensures prompt and effective resolution of customer concerns.

Responsible for the monitoring and treatment of mosquito populations to provide public health and quality of life for our citizens and visitors.  Also, provides logistical support for the joint aerial spraying by the U.S.

Airforce and private contractors.  Directs mosquito control staff in performing biological and source reduction work on mosquitoes. Interprets data on mosquito populations and control techniques.

Interprets and ensures that mosquito control operational program procedures and government policies are followed. Responds to public inquires, problems/complaints, investigations, and resolutions regarding mosquito control services.

Develops proposals and reports as requested by City Manager and City Council, and presents recommendations to City Management, City Council and to other groups; responsible for coordinating with City Manager items for placement on City Council Agendas and Work Sessions; and ensures reports, studies, and plans are appropriately processed in accordance with federal, state, and city laws and ordinances.

Performs other related work as required.   Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of the Job: Has thorough knowledge of public works organization and operations as well as utility management as it relates to municipal infrastructure operations.

Has thorough knowledge of regulations, current trends and practices related to municipal construction, repair and related activities. Has thorough knowledge of the applicable laws governing public works contracting.  Has thorough knowledge of the preparation and administration of municipal operating and capital improvement budgets.

 Is able to supervise the work and evaluate staff performance.  Maintains a working relationship with municipal and State officials, developers, contractors and as otherwise necessitated by work assignments.  

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities.

Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all city departments and divisions, co?workers and the general public.

Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines.

Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time?off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self?reliant and self?starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility.

Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same.

Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences is justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the city.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and city benefit.

Contributes to maintaining high morale among all city employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the city and project a good city image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, City Manager, professionals and the general public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine.

Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time?management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establish a personal schedule accordingly.

Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies.

Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Planning: Plans, directs and uses information effectively in order to enhance activities and production of the department.

Knows and understands the expectations of the city regarding the activities of the department and works to see that these expectations are met. Designs and formulates ways, means and timing to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and the city. Within the constraints of city policy, formulates the appropriate strategy and tactics for achieving departmental and city objectives. Organizes, arranges and allocates manpower, financial and other designated resources in an efficient and effective way so as to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and city.

Organizing: Organizes work and that of subordinate staff well. Ensures that staff members know what results are expected of them and that they are regularly and appropriately informed of all city and department matters affecting them and/or of concern to them.

Staffing: Works with other city officials and management to select and recommend employment of personnel for the department who are qualified both technically and philosophically to meet the needs of the department and the city. Personally, directs the development and training of department personnel in order to ensure that they are properly inducted, oriented and trained.

Leading: Provides a work environment, which encourages clear and open communications.

Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of the principles of effective leadership and how such principles are to be applied. Provides adequate feedback to staff so that they know whether their performance levels are satisfactory. Commends and rewards employees for outstanding performance yet does not hesitate to take disciplinary action when necessary. Exercises enthusiasm in influencing and guiding others toward the achievement of city goals and objectives.

Controlling: Provides a work environment, which is orderly and controlled.

Coordinates, audits and controls manpower and financial resources efficiently and effectively. Coordinates, audits and controls the utilization of materials and equipment efficiently and effectively. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city standards, methods and procedures.

Delegating: Assigns additional duties to staff as necessary and/or appropriate in order to meet department goals, enhance staff abilities, build confidence on the job and assist staff members in personal growth. Has confidence in staff to meet new or additional expectations.

Decision Making: Uses discretion and judgment in developing and implementing courses of action affecting the department. When a particular policy, procedure or strategy does not appear to be achieving the desired result, moves decisively and definitively to develop and implement alternatives.

Creativity: Regularly seeks new and improved methodologies, policies and procedures for enhancing the effectiveness of the department and city.

Employs imagination and creativity in the application of duties and responsibilities. Is not averse to change.

Human Relations: Strives to develop and maintain good rapport with all staff members.

Listens to and considers suggestions and complaints and responds appropriately. Maintains the respect and loyalty of staff.

Policy Implementation: Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city policies regarding the department and city function. Adheres to those policies in the discharge of duties and responsibilities and ensures the same from subordinate staff.

Policy Formulation: Keeps abreast of changes in operating philosophies and policies of the city and continually reviews department policies in order to ensure that any changes in city philosophy or practice are appropriately incorporated.

Also understands the relationship between operating policies and practices and department morale and performance. Works to see that established policies enhance same.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, Engineering or a related field, and  6 years of progressively responsible experience in public works, utility operations, engineering, building construction operations, or a related field, and 3 - 5 years of managerial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Professional Engineering License is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must successfully complete the required National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System Certifications within one (1) year of employment.

A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.

Residency within the City of Portsmouth is preferred.   Applicants who live within a twenty (20) mile radius of the City of Portsmouth corporate limits will be considered.

The position is considered essential personnel and will be required to work during and following natural disasters and emergency situations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machinery and equipment including computers, calculators, facsimile machines, telephones, copiers, two-way radios, cell phones, etc.

Must be able to exert up to 20 lbs. to occasionally move objects, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments or directions to subordinates or assistants.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of technical reports, correspondence, budget reports, proposed legislation, studies, engineering project plans, water production reports, etc.

Requires the ability to prepare revenue forecasts, reports, RFPs and RFQs, correspondence, budgets, appropriation requests, performance appraisals, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems; to deal with nonverbal symbolism in its most difficult phases; to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables; to comprehend the most abstruse classes of concepts.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering, legal, administrative, accounting, scientific and environmental terminology.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages and understand and apply the theories of statistical inference.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress and/or emergency situations.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing, perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone and two-way radio.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTSThe City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

 Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.This is a class description and not an individual position description.     A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.