Assistant Director of Public Services and Engineering

City of Coronado, California•Coronado, CA

About The Position

The City of Coronado’s Department of Public Services and Engineering maintains the City’s physical infrastructure, including beaches, parks, facilities, streets, sidewalks, sanitary sewer and storm drain systems, and other public rights of way. The department also oversees planning, design, engineering, and construction of capital projects, along with a broad range of public services and programs. The Assistant Director assists the Director in managing and directing department services and activities. Areas include the Capital Improvement Program, land development review and permitting, traffic engineering, programs supporting City services and regulatory requirements, and maintenance of City infrastructure. The position helps develop and implement departmental goals, policies, service levels, work plans, budgets, staffing, and operational improvements. It oversees employees, contracted services, permits, bidding and contracts, and coordination with City departments, elected officials, outside agencies, and the community. The role also provides staff assistance to the Director and City Manager, participates in boards and committees, and responds to sensitive community inquiries and complaints. When assigned to Engineering, the Assistant Director serves as City Engineer, practices professional engineering on behalf of the City, signs engineering plans, advises on engineering matters, and may act as an expert witness. The assignment includes guiding design consultants; reviewing project costs, technical standards, soils reports, grading plans, and environmental impact statements; preparing designs and specifications; and overseeing capital project funding, contract administration, construction inspection, and acceptance. The Assistant Director assumes management of the Engineering division in the Director’s absence and responds to unplanned engineering emergencies, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. When assigned to Public Services, the Assistant Director evaluates maintenance needs and recommends and implements maintenance strategies and projects for public rights of way, parks, beaches, sewer and storm facilities, City facilities, and fleet assets. The Assistant Director assumes management of the Public Services division in the Director’s absence and responds to unplanned public services emergencies, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical and professional skills, leadership, integrity, and the ability to manage public infrastructure construction and maintenance. They will assess staff strengths and development needs, use mentoring and training to address deficiencies, communicate effectively, pursue process improvements and appropriate technology, and provide exceptional customer service to City departments, residents, visitors, and the wider community.

Requirements

For the Engineering assignment: at least five years of increasingly responsible experience directing and managing civil engineering projects or programs, including at least two years of supervisory or management experience.
For the Engineering assignment: education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field.
For the Engineering assignment: valid Class C California Driver’s License and a safe driving record.
For the Engineering assignment: valid California Civil Engineer registration issued by the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
For the Public Services assignment: at least seven years of increasingly responsible experience administering and managing public services or works, maintenance, operations, waste collection or recycling programs, and water and wastewater treatment, distribution, and collection systems, including two years of management experience.
For the Public Services assignment: education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in public administration, business administration, or a related field.
For the Public Services assignment: valid Class C California Driver’s License and a safe driving record.
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
Submit a completed City employment application, cover letter, and resume by 11:59 PM PST on November 20, 2026.
Successful candidates must complete a background check and medical examination and verify their legal right to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

For the Engineering assignment, a master’s degree in civil engineering or a related area is desirable.
Strong technical and professional skills, leadership, integrity, and the ability to manage public infrastructure construction and maintenance.
Ability to assess staff strengths and weaknesses and address development needs through mentoring, training, and team building.
Clear and effective communication, forward-thinking, and a commitment to process improvements, including use of technology.
Commitment to exceptional customer service for City departments, residents, visitors, and other community members.

Responsibilities

Assist the Director in managing and directing department services and activities, including capital improvement, land development review and permitting, traffic engineering, regulatory programs, and infrastructure maintenance.
Help develop and implement departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities.
Set appropriate service and staffing levels within City policy; evaluate service delivery and allocate resources.
Coordinate work schedules and bidding procedures, prepare bid packages, recommend bid awards, and notify bidders.
Plan and coordinate the department’s work through subordinate staff; assign responsibilities, evaluate work methods, and resolve problems with staff.
Assess workloads and administrative systems, identify improvement opportunities, and implement changes.
Oversee contracted services, prepare specifications and requests for proposals, evaluate bids, recommend contract awards, administer contracts, and negotiate agreements with other agencies.
Monitor the issuance of construction, excavation, encroachment, right-of-way, and other permits.
Select, train, motivate, and evaluate personnel; address performance deficiencies and implement discipline or termination procedures.
Assist with department budget development and administration, forecast resource needs, approve expenditures, and implement budget adjustments.
Develop and maintain community relationships and engagement, and provide customer service to residents and the community.
Represent the department and coordinate activities with City departments, elected officials, outside agencies, and organizations.
Provide staff assistance to the Director and City Manager; participate in boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and correspondence.
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
When assigned to Engineering, serve as City Engineer; practice professional engineering, sign plans, act as an expert witness, and direct and inform design consultants.
When assigned to Engineering, review construction costs and project financing; establish technical criteria and standards; prepare project correspondence and assist with subdivision agreements.
When assigned to Engineering, review soils reports, grading plans, and environmental impact statements; inspect construction and recommend project acceptance or rejection.
When assigned to Engineering, prepare designs, plans, maps, and specifications for construction and capital improvement projects; help develop infrastructure needs and the Capital Improvement Plan; oversee project funding, contracts, and construction inspection.
When assigned to Engineering, stay current with civil engineering trends and innovations, manage the Engineering division in the Director’s absence, and respond to unplanned emergencies, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
When assigned to Public Services, evaluate maintenance needs and implement projects and strategies for public rights of way, parks, beaches, sewer and storm facilities, City facilities, and fleet assets.
When assigned to Public Services, participate in professional group meetings, manage the Public Services division in the Director’s absence, and respond to unplanned emergencies, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Benefits

Monthly cafeteria allotment of $2,450.
Voluntary retirement savings/deferred compensation.
Tuition reimbursement of up to $2,000 per fiscal year for approved tuition, fees, books, required materials, and professional development; student loan repayment may be used under this benefit.
Group term life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost, equal to one annual salary or $50,000, whichever is greater.
Short- and long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of income, with an option to purchase enhanced long-term disability coverage for employees exceeding the plan’s $5,000 monthly maximum.
Employee assistance program.
Annual leave accrual of 144 hours per year for the first five years, with increased accrual thereafter.
Longevity bonus at 10 years of service and every five years thereafter.
Prior verifiable public service employment credit toward annual leave accrual rates for eligible employees.
Access to a community pool and gym.
Training opportunities and an engaged leadership team in a supportive community environment.
CalPERS retirement benefit: 3% at 60 for Classic members hired before January 1, 2013, with a stated current employee contribution rate of 9.5%; 2% at 62 for PEPRA members hired after January 1, 2013, with a stated current employee contribution rate of 7.50%.