Director of Public Works

City of Cerritos•Cerritos, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general direction of the Assistant City Manager, this role supervises, coordinates, and controls all activities of the City of Cerritos’ Public Works Department. The position manages and maintains a variety of municipal services and facilities including streets, safety lighting, traffic signals, street sweeping, refuse collection, storm drains, sewers, municipal buildings, vehicles and equipment, neighborhood and community parks, public swimming facility, municipal golf course, street trees, median and parkway landscapes, water production and distribution, and electric utility administration. The Director coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and various community and regulatory agencies. This role provides highly responsible and complex administrative assistance to the Assistant City Manager, City Manager and City Council in coordinating and directing departmental activities and operations. The Director serves as a member of the City’s Executive Team and ensures that the personnel and financial management programs of the Public Works Department are consistent with municipal policies and procedures. The position prepares special studies and reports and presents projects to the City Council and City Commissions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering, Public Administration or a related field.
Minimum of five (5) years of professional Public Works or related experience.
At least three (3) years of experience at a managerial level.
Possession of a valid California driver's license.
Advanced principles and practices of civil engineering, including laws, codes, ordinances and regulations relating to public works operations and development.
Municipal government and public works department organization, administration, and operations.
Administration, public finance, municipal budget preparation and control, and capital improvement program project management and cost control.
Leadership skills, management theory and practices, public sector labor relations, and principles of effectively staffing, hiring, training, supervising, evaluating and developing high-performing teams.
Applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations.
Public relations and customer service techniques.
Goal-setting methods and the design of workload and performance indicators.
Ability to direct, plan and organize the activities of a comprehensive citywide Public Works Department.
Ability to plan and supervise the work of professional and field employees in several divisions engaged in departmental activities.
Ability to demonstrate integrity, a calm and professional demeanor, diplomacy in representing the City, accessibility and approachability, technological and financial savvy, strategic action in the management of resources and people, and commitment to customer service.
Ability to effectively lead teams through new initiatives and operational improvements.
Ability to provide strong leadership in the areas of customer services and personnel management.
Ability to select, train, motivate, supervise and evaluate staff.
Ability to initiate and carry out required procedural assignments and use independent judgment.
Ability to develop and administer sound departmental goals.
Ability to analyze problems; identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Ability to make adjustments to standard operating procedures as necessary to improve organizational effectiveness.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to give effective oral presentations to elected and appointed officials at public meetings.
Ability to work within, interpret, apply, and effectively communicate City policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
Ability to manage conflict with ease and find appropriate solutions to resident issues, stakeholder concerns and staff needs.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including City officials, other employees, agencies, contractors and the public.
Ability to be detail-oriented and have excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage conflicting priorities in a high-pressure environment.
Ability to exercise good judgement, courtesy, and tact with staff and the public.
Ability to stay abreast of new trends, innovations, standards and guidelines in the fields of municipal infrastructure maintenance, engineering, customer service, personnel management, and other public works functions.
Ability to review and analyze plans and specifications for streets, sewers, storm drains, water mains and other public works projects.
Ability to develop sound record management systems and procedures.
Ability to drive a motor vehicle.
Mobility, vision, hearing, sense of smell, and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

Nice To Haves

Possession of a Master’s Degree in a related field.
Possession of a Professional Engineer (P.E.) certification.

Responsibilities

Oversees strategic planning for departmental activities and develops short- and long-range goals, objectives, policies and priorities for division functions and programs.
Leads and ensures a customer service-focused operation.
Directs and manages all activities of the Engineering Division, Maintenance Division, Environmental Services Division, Park and Tree Maintenance Division, Water Utility Division and Electric Utility Division.
Oversees the planning, budgeting, design, contract administration and inspection of all Capital Improvement Projects for the City and seeks possible alternative funding sources.
Oversees the administration of all municipal contracts involving public works, including street construction and maintenance, storm drains, sewer maintenance, capital facility construction and maintenance, tree and landscape maintenance, water system maintenance, electric utility administration, street sweeping and refuse collection.
Oversees civil engineering review and approval of all tract and commercial development, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws including the Subdivision Map Act.
Directs the construction of public facilities in conformance with sound and accepted engineering standards and practices, taking into consideration the highest possible safety standards.
Directs the development and implementation of a comprehensive maintenance program for municipally owned facilities.
Attends all City Council meetings and acts as spokesperson for the Public Works Department.
Reviews plans related to area development and public usage such as streets, sewers, storm drains, water services and water supply.
Works with other City departments in reviewing proposed developments, reporting to the Planning Commission and City Council, implementing City standards, plan checking and inspections of private developments.
Provides a variety of data and information vital to the City's decision-making process and policy formation to elected and appointed officials.
Develops, plans and implements departmental goals and objectives; develops, recommends and administers approved policies and procedures; coordinates departmental activities with those of other City departments and outside agencies and organizations.
Provides professional and technical advice and assistance to the City Manager and City Council on matters related to departmental functions including Public Works operations and the Capital Improvement Program.
Ensures timely updates to contracts, agreements and departmental documents for compliance with applicable laws and codes.
Develops, recommends, administers, interprets and enforces departmental policies and procedures and assists in the development and administration of the City's engineering and maintenance related policies and regulations.
Directs and oversees the preparation of a wide variety of surveys, plans, specifications, and requests for proposals, studies, reports, contracts, agreements, agenda reports, correspondence, resolutions and ordinances in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and local codes and standards.
Makes Public Works Department budget recommendations and administers the expenditure of funds.
Selects, trains, mentors, and evaluates full-time and part-time staff; plans and presents staff development opportunities, in-service training and skills development activities.
Represents the Department to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies in relations with the community; advisory committees; other local, state and federal agencies; and professional organizations.