Public Works Superintendent

PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT

DEFINITION

Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the staff and maintenance operations of the Public Works Department, including the operations, programs, construction, maintenance, modification, and repair of the City’s water system, sewer system, storm water collection system, streets, public right-of-way, parks, landscapes, buildings and related facilities, infrastructure, and equipment; oversees and manages comprehensive preventative and corrective maintenance programs and assists with the management and oversight of capital improvement projects; provides complex and responsible support to the Public Works Director in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Public Works Director. Exercises supervision over supervisory, technical, and maintenance staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the Public Works maintenance staff, operations, and activities. Incumbents are responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures for assigned operations, including short- and long-term planning, budget administration and reporting, and coordination of key programs/projects with other City divisions and departments and external agencies. Positions apply management principles and strategic thinking to decisions that impact department operations and the public being served. Positions generally serve as advisors and contributors to executive management on policies, procedures, and major City initiatives.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily maintenance-related operations, functions, and activities of the Public Works Department, including the operations, programs, construction, maintenance, modification, and repair of the City’s water system, sewer system, storm water collection system, streets, public right-of-way, parks, landscapes, buildings, and related facilities, infrastructure, and equipment.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities related to assigned area of responsibility.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality.
• Monitors public works infrastructure and facilities operations, construction, maintenance, and repair activities; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery, procedures, cost, and quality; provides recommendations concerning process changes; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Receives and transmits work orders electronically; prioritizes work order requests, generates new work orders, and assigns tasks and projects accordingly; reviews completed work to ensure compliance with City standards and quality expectations; prepares, maintains, inputs, and queries detailed logs, records, and reports of maintenance and repair activities via automated software systems.
• Arranges for, or purchases, appropriate equipment and materials necessary for maintenance projects; submits quotes for equipment, materials, and contracted services; prepares requisitions and approves purchase orders.
• Reviews plans and specifications for assigned projects; monitors the inspection of new installations and repair work; reviews daily records of equipment, personnel, and materials used for each maintenance project.
• Conducts and monitors employee safety meetings and training sessions; ensures assigned employees are educated and trained on rules, regulations, codes, safe work habits, and potential hazards presented by their work environment; corrects unsafe working conditions.
• Ensures all maintenance and repair work is completed in a satisfactory and thorough manner; inspect work sites, equipment and tools for compliance with safety standards; inspect and approve work done by outside contractors.
• Participates in developing, planning, and managing long-term preventative maintenance programs and capital improvement projects; collaborates with the Public Works Director and contract staff to plan for future improvement projects, including the review of designs, plans and specifications, studies, and bid documents.
• Ensures operations and maintenance activities comply with all regulatory requirements including but not limited to environmental regulations, water, recycling, and storm water pollution prevention; prepares and submits mandated reports to the Public Works Director and/or regulatory agencies.
• Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Serves as a liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces as necessary.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of public works and water distribution; research emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Maintains files, databases, and records related to public works infrastructure operations, construction, maintenance, and repairs; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Ensures staff compliance with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Responds promptly to after-hours emergencies and assists other staff in emergency situations; performs on-call and standby duty as directed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and project management.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles, practices, methods, operating procedures, and techniques related to the operations, construction, maintenance, and repair of public works infrastructure, systems, facilities, and related equipment.
• Materials, methods, equipment, and tools used in public works maintenance activities.
• Methods of estimating time, cost, and equipment to perform assigned work.
• Operation of a variety of maintenance and construction vehicles and equipment.
• Standard chemical and physical tests of water and related materials.
• Principles and techniques of capital improvement construction, inspection, funding, and long-term maintenance.
• Intermediate mathematics and computer skills including SCADA operating systems.
• Safe work methods and safety practices pertaining to the work including safe driving rules and practices.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, oversee, and manage the staff and maintenance operations and activities of the Public Works Department.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the division.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Perform the most complex construction, maintenance, and repair work on public works infrastructure and facilities.
• Plan and organize public works preventative and corrective maintenance programs and capital improvement projects in assigned areas
• Read, understand, and interpret blueprints, construction drawings, diagrams, plans, maps, and specifications.
• Safely and effectively use, operate, and maintain the full range of equipment and tools required for the work.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, diverse abilities, gender, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation of City staff and community served.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, supplemented by post-secondary vocational training in public works infrastructure maintenance, street maintenance, general construction, or a related field and five (5) years increasingly responsible experience in public works and water systems infrastructure and facilities operations, construction, maintenance, and repair, including two (2) years in a supervisory capacity.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a Grade IV (D4) Water Distribution certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board, if required for the position.
• Possession of a Grade II (T2) Water Treatment certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board, if required for the position.
• Possession of a Grade II Wastewater Collection System Maintenance certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association, if required for the position.
• Possession of a valid Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade II certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board, if required for the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 50 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

May be required to work various shifts or emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Public Works Superintendent Application & Information Packet