Deputy Director of Public Works

City of Palmdale•Palmdale, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Deputy Director of Public Works provides professional-level support to the Director and assists with short- and long-term planning, development, and administration of the Department’s policies, procedures, and services. The role requires professional expertise and the ability to coordinate departmental work with other City departments and public agencies. The Deputy Director acts on behalf of the Director as required and participates as a member of the City’s management team. The position helps plan, direct, and manage City programs involving environmental programs, project management, and construction. It oversees professional engineering work, including project plans, specifications, inspections, plan reviews, consultant work, construction contract changes, technical reports, and funding research. The role also contributes to the department budget, staff leadership, and development of strategies that support City objectives. The full salary range is $81.33–$103.78; the expected salary range is $81.33–$89.65. The position is confidential and overtime exempt. Work is generally performed in a temperature-controlled office environment, with occasional outdoor work and occasional travel. The position regularly requires work outside normal business hours, including after-hours and weekend work.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in civil engineering, construction management, public administration, or a related field.
Six years of progressively responsible experience, including three years of supervisory or management experience in an applicable field.
Knowledge of administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, evaluation, and staff supervision.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, and the ability to interpret, apply, and explain them.
Knowledge of public agency budgeting, contract administration, City administrative practices, and risk management principles relevant to assigned areas.
Knowledge of contract negotiation and administration, research, report preparation, budgeting, and personnel management.
Ability to assist with planning, directing, and coordinating department work and to prepare and administer a department budget.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and orally and to prepare complex financial and long-range planning reports.
Ability to represent the City before boards, committees, commissions, outside agencies, and the public.
Ability to select, train, supervise, and evaluate employees and make sound operational and personnel decisions.
Ability to respond effectively to emergencies and problems, apply policies and procedures, and resolve unusual situations using management and engineering principles.
Ability to develop comprehensive plans for future City needs and services, develop policies affecting divisional operations, and resolve conflict constructively.
Ability to attend meetings or events on evenings and/or weekends.
Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California driver’s license, or ability to use alternative transportation to perform essential duties. A valid California driver’s license by appointment is required for certain assignments, including Public Works.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including frequent keyboard use, prolonged sitting, repetitive motion, writing, grasping, holding, reaching, and lifting up to 40 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree.
A California Professional Civil Engineering license.

Responsibilities

Recommend and assist with implementing department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities, and develop strategies to support a sustainable organization and City strategic objectives.
Evaluate assigned operations and activities, recommend improvements, and prepare reports.
Lead development and administration of the department’s annual budget; forecast funding needs; monitor and approve expenditures; and make budget adjustments as necessary.
Assist with selecting, training, motivating, directing, coaching, and evaluating department personnel; address staff questions and concerns and recommend progressive discipline.
Assess workloads, administrative and support systems, and reporting relationships; identify and implement improvements.
Assign projects and program responsibilities, review work methods and procedures, and work with staff to resolve problems.
Interpret departmental policies and governing codes and regulations for employees.
Present information to City committees, commissions, and City Council.
Participate in the City management team and address issues affecting the City.
Act on behalf of the Director as required and perform related duties as assigned.
Plan, direct, and manage City activities and programs involving environmental programs, project management, and construction, coordinating with other departments and divisions.
Oversee and participate in professional engineering work, including preparing plans and specifications, coordinating project inspections, and drafting ordinances.
Oversee and participate in plan reviews, assess compliance with laws, ordinances, and engineering standards, and recommend corrections or improvements.
Prepare and evaluate requests for proposals for contract engineering work; direct preparation of cost estimates; review consultant and engineering firm plans and performance; and prepare construction contract modifications and negotiate changes and change-order costs.
Compile and analyze data and prepare technical reports on public works projects and programs; assist with budget projections and monitor expenditures.
Research, analyze, and apply for grants and other funding sources.