Assistant Director of Public Works

City of Fresno•Fresno, CA

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Public Works assists with planning, directing, organizing, and reviewing assigned operations. This at-will position exercises judgment and discretion in overseeing complex projects and/or operating divisions, oversees daily operations, and may assume the Director’s duties in the Director’s absence. The Assistant Director conducts tactical-level planning related to strategic plans and policies, develops operational goals, advises the Director and City Manager, and attends City Council, board, commission, and committee meetings. The role also participates in preparation and administration of the Department’s annual operating budget and works with the City Manager on City and departmental needs, prioritization, and alternative approaches. The Assistant Director coordinates with other City departments and outside agencies. The available position primarily leads the Public Works Operating Divisions: Street Maintenance, Traffic Signals and Street Lights, Landscape, Forestry, and Graffiti Abatement. These divisions include 270 staff members who perform their operations in-house. The incumbent works with managers and staff to accomplish the Department’s mission and objectives and serves as a key member of its executive management team. The Public Works Department develops and revitalizes City infrastructure through capital project planning, development review, plan checks, permitting, inspections, transportation planning, subdivision map processing, impact fee administration, and special district administration. It also maintains or operates public assets including traffic signals, streetlights, streets, sidewalks, median islands, the urban forest, landscape maintenance districts, and pedestrian and bicycle trails. The Department provides graffiti abatement and oversees litter-control contracts on the State highway system. The City describes its mission as “Building a Better Fresno.”

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and four years of experience managing large construction projects and/or maintenance operations; qualifying additional experience may substitute for education year for year, though a degree is strongly preferred.
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise, comprehensive reports, records, and other written materials for varied audiences.

Nice To Haves

Significant experience managing a combination of multimillion-dollar public- and privately funded infrastructure projects.
Experience leading a large represented and unionized workforce in road maintenance and construction operations.
Management experience in asphalt paving operations, concrete construction and repair, bridge maintenance, traffic control, or forestry.
Experience with interagency agreements, procurement contracts, Community Facilities District administration, forestry grants and management plans, or trail maintenance.
A record of collaborative work with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong knowledge of public works systems, long-range community vision, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
A record of straightforward, open communication and effective decision-making, including managing conflicting perspectives.

Responsibilities

Assist in planning, directing, organizing, and reviewing assigned Public Works operations.
Oversee complex major projects and/or operating divisions and manage daily operations.
Assume the Public Works Director’s duties when the Director is absent.
Conduct tactical-level planning related to strategic plans and policies and develop operational goals.
Serve as a technical advisor to the Director and City Manager and attend City Council, board, commission, and committee meetings.
Participate in preparing and administering the Department’s annual operating budget.
Work with the City Manager to assess City and departmental needs, prioritize them, and evaluate alternative approaches.
Facilitate and coordinate activities with other City departments and outside agencies.
Lead the Public Works Operating Divisions, including Street Maintenance, Traffic Signals and Street Lights, Landscape, Forestry, and Graffiti Abatement.
Work with managers and staff to accomplish Department missions and objectives.

Benefits

Fresno City Retirement System, with reciprocity with other public California systems.
Optional Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), subject to age and vesting requirements.
City contributions toward monthly PPO medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums for employees and dependents.
Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent-care expenses.
Possible auto allowance, subject to City Manager approval and applicable administrative policy.
Voluntary 457 deferred compensation plan; City contributes up to $75 per month.
Management leave of 108 hours per fiscal year, prorated, with an annual cash-out provision.
Up to 32 hours of supplemental management leave at the City Manager’s discretion, which may be placed in a retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement account.
Annual leave accrual of 15.5 hours per month, with a limited cash-out provision.
40 hours of supplemental sick leave per fiscal year, with an 80-hour lifetime maximum.
Ten City-observed holidays annually, plus a birthday holiday and two personal days per year.
Life insurance equal to annual salary, with the premium paid by the City.
Long-term disability coverage: City-paid premium for 66.66% of monthly salary up to $7,500 per month after 30 days.