Director of Public Works

City of Northampton•Northampton, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for planning, directing, managing and overseeing all functions of the City’s Department of Public Works. The Director exercises a high degree of independent judgment in the administration of the Department. While guided by applicable laws, regulations, city policies, and professional standards, the Director is frequently required to interpret policy, address novel or complex situations, resolve operational challenges, and develop approaches that advance departmental and city objectives. Decisions often involve significant financial, operational, regulatory, and public impacts. Maintains frequent communication with the Mayor and understands when to seek executive input for key decisions impacting the city. Duties involve contact with local, state and federal government officials, community leaders, the public, residents, and other stakeholders to protect and promote the municipality's overall interest. Employee must possess a high degree of diplomacy and judgment and must be able to work effectively with all stakeholders. Duties require an understanding of strategy and timing in representing the municipality effectively in critical and important situations which may influence the well-being of the municipality. Employee has regular access at the departmental level to a wide variety of confidential information, including personnel records, client records, medical information, court documents and sensitive financial records.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business or a related field, Master’s degree and/or professional licensure as an engineer is preferred.
Seven to ten years of experience in a trade or construction related technical field with at least five years of supervisory experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid driver’s license is required.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and GIS; knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations governing municipal infrastructure; knowledge of Massachusetts procurement requirements and project management; management of complex financial operations and budgets; knowledge of occupational hazards and proper safety precautions to be used to prevent injuries.
Ability to understand, explain and apply rules, regulations, policies, procedures, standards and guidelines governing public infrastructure; ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with employees, consultants, other governmental agency representatives, city, state and federal officials and the general public; ability to make decisions and create solutions to wide ranging problems.
Interpersonal skills; personnel management skills; operations and engineering skills; skilled at managing multiple and conflicting priorities.
Administrative work is performed in an office setting requiring sitting, standing, walking and stooping.
May be required to lift objects such as files, boxes of papers, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
When in the field, work requires moderate physical strength and effort, such as lifting heavy object(s) and stacking them or moving them.
In addition, pulling, pushing, standing or walking for the full day may also be involved.
Work may require the ability to traverse moderate distances over and through uneven terrain and construction sites.
The work may involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination.
Essential position functions require the ability to routinely read materials for general understanding and analytical purposes and the ability to view documents and spreadsheets on a computer monitor.
In addition, essential position functions require the ability to operate a motor vehicle and require good close, distant, color and peripheral vision and depth perception at correctable ranges.
The requirement is 20 miles from the Northampton City limits. Employee will have one year from date of hire to comply with this requirement.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree and/or professional licensure as an engineer is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develops General Fund and Enterprise Funds Operating and Personnel budgets.
Creates long term infrastructure improvement program and leads implementation, including planning for and executing appropriate funding strategies.
Prepares and presents capital budget; provides justifications for expenses.
Provides recommendations to the Mayor for setting of utility rates; understands and employs utility rate modeling for revenue and expense to derive financial forecasts.
Directs personnel management, including disciplinary actions and/or performance management; understands and enforces all safety regulations; has hiring and firing authority over the Department.
Interacts with public, media, and City Council; communicates on behalf of the Department regarding operations and projects.
Maintains high field visibility across the Department to achieve understanding of operations and engineering and opportunities for improvements.
Implements process and policy changes.
Performs customer service related functions, including responding to escalated issues from all Department Divisions.
Works collaboratively with other City departments to enhance city operations or implement desired improvements and supports other city department projects and objectives.
Issues relevant permits and enforces compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and rules.
Performs similar or related work as required.
The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and performance of the Department of Public Works.
The Director establishes departmental goals and priorities; develops short- and long-range plans; oversees operations, budgets, staffing, and capital programs; and ensures the effective delivery of public works services.
The Director allocates financial and personnel resources, monitors progress toward departmental objectives, and recommends new initiatives and policies to address the city's needs.
The Director oversees and evaluates the work of supervisors and staff; establishes operational standards and performance expectations; coordinates departmental activities with other city departments and outside agencies; and is responsible for personnel management, including hiring, training, evaluation, discipline, and effective workforce development.