Assistant Public Works Director - Technical Operations

Institute for Building Technology and Safety•Baton Rouge, LA

11d

About The Position

The Assistant Public Works Director – Technical Operations leads public works staff, technical operations, infrastructure maintenance, and the coordinated work of subcontractors and internal team members. The position is accountable for rigorous quality assurance and quality control and ensures public works services are delivered safely, efficiently, and to established standards. It also serves as a public-facing technical representative, communicating with residents, stakeholders, and elected officials and presenting at council meetings. The role directs routine maintenance of streets, drainage systems, sidewalks, bridges, and city-owned assets; establishes preventative maintenance schedules; and ensures compliance with safety standards and environmental regulations. It contributes technical and engineering support to capital improvement projects, uses performance data and technology to improve service delivery, and leads the deployment of city crews during weather events and infrastructure emergencies. IBTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing professional services including building and community development, energy and sustainability services, disaster planning and recovery, quality assurance, and compliance and risk monitoring. It is headquartered in Ashburn, Virginia, with additional offices in Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC. IBTS describes itself as committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience in public works operations and staff leadership.
Strong technical knowledge of infrastructure systems and maintenance practices.
APWA-S certification required within one year of hire.
Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and confidently to residents, subcontractors, staff, city leadership, and elected officials.
Ability to respond professionally to public questions and present effectively at council meetings.
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Recruit, train, and mentor public works employees.
Oversee employee assignments, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
Coordinate subcontractors and internal team members, setting clear scopes, accountability, schedules, and performance expectations.
Direct day-to-day maintenance of streets, drainage systems, sidewalks, bridges, and city-owned assets.
Establish and enforce preventative maintenance schedules.
Ensure compliance with safety standards and environmental regulations.
Establish, document, and enforce QA/QC standards; review work products, field activities, and deliverables for technical accuracy, completeness, compliance, and consistency.
Contribute to planning and execution of roadway, drainage, and infrastructure projects.
Apply engineering and technical knowledge to optimize designs and solutions.
Coordinate with the Business Ops counterpart to align staffing with project needs.
Present technically sound recommendations and project status, risks, and proposed solutions to the public, city leadership, and elected officials, including at council meetings.
Implement real-time monitoring, asset management systems, and GIS tools.
Use performance data to optimize workflows and service delivery.
Lead deployment of city crews during weather events and infrastructure emergencies.
Ensure staff readiness and pre-positioning of resources.