Engineering & Public Works Director

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

Ideal candidate for Director of Engineering & Public Works aspires to be a model of innovation, inclusion and empowerment who enables bold people and ideas to thrive. The Director will be a participatory leader: a results-oriented, relationship-building, self-aware team player who also possesses high integrity, and politeness, who fosters trust by building relationships with tolerance, patience and support in order to provide the best value in service of the citizens of Brownsville

The Director of Engineering & Public Works is responsible for planning, directing, managing and overseeing the activities, projects and operations of the Department, including but not limited to Engineering, Public Works, Streets & Drainage, Traffic, Landfill, Stormwater, and Environmental Compliance. Additionally, the Engineering & Public Works Director supervises the inspection of construction projects performed by contractors for compliance with plans, specifications, and City standards.

COMPETENCIES:

• Engineering & Traffic

• Public Works

• Street & Drainage

• Municipal Waste Management

• Project Management

• Leadership

• Critical Thinking

• Change Management

• Budget Development

• Critical Evaluation

• Strategic Planning

KEY FUNCTIONS/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• General Management: Plans, organizes, directs, controls, and evaluates the work of the Engineering and Public Works Department using asset management principles. Oversees the management of the day to-day administration of the Department, including financial health and resiliency, budget, capital projects, utility enterprises, on-going maintenance, infrastructure stewardship and development, personnel and labor relations, and customer service activities. Represents the City of Brownsville at professional and governmental organizations at the local, State and national levels.

• Strategic Planning: Works with advisory boards, residents, elected officials and other agencies to develop long-range plans for infrastructure development and environmental protection enhancing the public health, livability, and economic well being of the community. Oversees the preparation and update of short- and long-range strategic plans in all areas of responsibility to ensure harmony with the City's overall plans and strategies and to comply with federal and State mandates. Independently develops and implements long term future strategies for the department including voter approved levies or bonds.

• Personnel Management: Develops and maintains a workforce committed to, and with highly developed competencies in, customer service, results orientation, and teamwork. Directly or through managers, appoints, supervises, provides for training, development, performance evaluation, and ensures accountability of department employees. Provides for the training in, promotion of, and accountability for, safe work practices and working conditions for employees. Ensures compliance with labor agreements City wide and Department policies, and State and federal laws and regulations.

• Project Management: Oversees all public works projects for the City. Participates directly in the planning and development of significant projects such as those involving multiple jurisdictions and long-term implementation. Ensures these are consistent with the City's goals and objectives. Facilitates and promotes ongoing research into new technologies and trends and recommends implementation of programs and equipment to help the Department achieve its objectives more efficiently

• Fiscal and Business Management: Ensures the financial well-being of the Department by establishing cost control measures and monitoring all fiscal operations of the Department. Prepares annual budget and justifies budget requests and amendments. Projects and procures revenues and funding for the work of the Department, including management of enterprise funds and accessing federal and State funding sources. Ensures the efficient and economical use of departmental funds, labor, materials, facilities and time. Oversees warehouse, purchasing, facilities, parking, radio communications and fleet functions for other departments.

• Senior Management Team: Provides information and advice to the Mayor and City Council on strategic planning and accomplishment of City goals and objectives. Participates in organization-wide strategic planning. Coordinates the Department's activities with other City departments and offices to ensure a consistent approach towards common projects and interests and the cost-effective delivery of services. Provides significant program and project support to other departments.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or similar

• A valid Professional Engineering (PE) License issued by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers is required.

• Master Degree in Science (MS), Public Administration (MPA), or Business Administration (MBA) is preferred.

• Six (6) years of progressive experience with increased responsibilities in engineering and public works management including: Public Works & Engineering Operations Streets and Drainage Maintenance & Operations Traffic Operations Environmental Compliance Transportation Planning

• Preferred Licenses:

Certified Floodplain Manager

Professional Traffic Operations Engineer

Special Certifications and License

Valid Texas Driver's License

Independence and Judgement

Receives instructions as to work results to be attained; responsible for recognizing moderately complex problems and taking responsibility for resolving them; refers very complex problems to supervisor; otherwise just reports on problem and solution after the fact; results monitored for soundness and judgment.

Initiative and Ingenuity

Progressive level of specialization requiring a large amount of interpretation and non-standard responses to varied situations; must know where to go for answers (not all sitting there in procedures manual); must take multiple factors into account; control over priorities.

Supervisory and Responsibility

Supervises and directs a group of sufficient size or complexity to require the use of supervisory subordinates.

Financial Responsibility

Calculates amounts due, using some judgment; receives and processes larger amounts (several thousand dollars on one day not uncommon); balances receipts and cash from one or more other employees; monitors budget; brings problems to attention of supervisor; has substantive input into overall department budget.

Level and Frequency of Outside Contacts

Frequent contact with the public or other organizations; interactions may require obtaining cooperation of people; courtesy and tact are required when dealing with moderately difficult or sensitive issues.

Physical Demands

Office job with little or occasional light physical effort, may require brief periods of muscular exertion, such as standing, lifting, moving, pulling, pushing, etc. Ability to exert up to 20lbs. of force occasionally to move objects.

Responsibility for Equipment and Property

Responsible for assigned equipment/property used outside of office; responsible for handing out to and retrieving property/equipment from employees and keeping inventory; use of City vehicle.

Working Conditions

Fair inside or outside conditions; exposure to disagreeable conditions is brief or otherwise insignificant; space problems; only occasional situations that place the employee in a stressful environment.

Other Requirements

The City of Brownsville requires all employees to successfully pass a Drug & Alcohol and a physical examination and a Background Check.

ADA Requirements

The City of Brownsville 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.

Benefits

The City of Brownsville participates in a generous retirement plan with retirement opportunities available at 5 years of service at age 60 or 20 years of service at any age. The City has an exceptional employee and family medical, dental and life insurance plan. Employees may also contribute to deferred compensation plans from Equitable and supplemental insurance plans from AFLAC and Colonial Life. Full time employees have the opportunity to accumulate 10 sick days and 10 annual days per year. Additionally, the City of Brownsville observes 12 holidays annually and two (2) floating holidays.

EEOC Statements

The City of Brownsville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.