Public Works Director

City of Paramount • Paramount, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Paramount is seeking a highly skilled individual with extensive local government public works experience to serve as its Public Works Director. This role involves managing all activities and services of the Public Works Department, which includes seven non-enterprise divisions: Administration, Facility, Road, and Landscape Maintenance, Engineering, Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance, and Sustainability. The department also manages three divisions under the Water Enterprise fund: Water Production, Water Distribution, and Water Customer Service. The ideal candidate will demonstrate integrity, a commitment to collaboration, and project-based results. They should be an approachable, responsive, and effective leader with strong strategic planning abilities, experience overseeing capital improvement programs, and the capacity to lead diverse teams. A customer service mindset, transparency, creative problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders are essential. A 4% COLA salary increase is expected in July 2026.

Requirements

• Five (5) years of public sector managerial experience, including responsibility for developing, directing and supervising the staff and activities of a major program or operation focused on municipal public works or a related area.
• Bachelor's degree with major course work in public administration, business administration, construction management, engineering, or a related field.
• Valid Class C California Driver License and acceptable driving record.
• Hands on leadership style to lead by example and foster teamwork.
• Embody the principles of servant leadership, strengthening the department's culture, motivating staff and maintaining high employee morale, while effectively managing competing priorities.
• Advanced principles and practices of employee supervision and training, including effective staff selection, motivation, direction, mentoring and performance evaluation.
• Methods for organizing, developing, implementing and directing departmental programs, projects, functions, services, goals, objectives, systems and activities.
• Terminology, concepts, methods and procedures associated with the management of assigned departments and programs.
• Public speaking and public relations techniques.
• Effectively utilize modern office equipment, including personal computers and standard business software such as the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Safely operate one or more types of vehicles as required by assignments.
• Direct the development and implementation of public works programs, projects, functions, services, goals, objectives, systems and work plans; plan, organize, control and direct all assigned departmental activities and operations; provide direction to managers and staff on systems development, budget and policy issues coordinate and direct personnel, resources, fiscal activities and communications to meet City needs and ensure smooth and efficient activities.
• Successfully manage the operations of a municipal water system.
• Provide consultation and technical expertise concerning public works operations and activities; interpret, apply and explain applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Monitor, analyze and recommend modifications to policies, procedures and programs to enhance the City’s effectiveness, operational efficiency and capacity to meet public needs.
• Plan, direct and supervise the work of subordinate managers and supervisors, as well as professional, technical and clerical staff.
• Manage and implement a robust Capital Improvement Plan annually.
• Represent the City at various meetings and events.
• Direct and participate in the development of assigned budgets.
• Direct the investigation of, and ensure the proper and timely resolution of, issues and disputes related to areas of assignment.
• Obtain accurate information through interviews and observation.
• Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives and make creative recommendations.
• Research complex information from various sources and prepare comprehensive statistical and narrative reports.
• Direct the preparation and maintenance of records and files related to assigned activities.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in multiple program areas is desirable.
• A master’s degree in a similar field is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assumes full responsibility for managing all activities and services of the Public Works Department.
• Direct over 70 staff members and resources; develop, administer, and evaluate projects and procedures to meet organizational needs and ensure smooth and efficient activities.
• Provide technical input and advice to the City Manager and City Council on assigned subject matter areas; propose strategies and programs to address challenges.
• Review, consider, and/or initiate various types of project proposals, agreements and recommendations; negotiate, draft, update and monitor agreements; communicate with City staff, attorneys and external agents needed to ensure legal and administrative compliance; participate in the preparation and administration of adopted plans and ordinances as required.
• Manage the field operations of its municipal water system, ensuring compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.
• Direct the preparation and administration of department budgets.
• Direct and approve various personnel actions, including selection, promotion, performance evaluations and disciplinary actions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager