Assistant Director of Roads and Properties Trainee

UPPER SAUCON TOWNSHIP

POSITION: Assistant Director of Roads and Properties Trainee

DEPARTMENT: Roads and Properties

REPORTS TO: Director & Asst. Director of Roads and Properties

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Roads and Properties (Trainee) is a professional, developmental position designed to prepare an individual for future leadership within the Township’s Roads and Properties Department. Under the direct supervision of the Director of Roads and Properties and Assistant Director, the Trainee assists with the planning, coordination, operation, and maintenance of Township-owned roads, facilities, parks, grounds, and related infrastructure.

This position provides progressive responsibility and hands-on experience in public works operations, personnel supervision, budgeting, capital planning, regulatory compliance, and emergency response. As competencies are achieved, the Trainee will assume increasing responsibility consistent with preparation for promotion to Assistant Director or Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Department Operations

• Assist the Director and Assistant Director in planning, coordinating, and overseeing daily operations related to roads, properties, parks, and facilities maintenance.
• Support the planning and scheduling of work crews, equipment usage, and contracted services.
• Assist with inspection of Township roads, facilities, and properties to identify maintenance needs and prioritize repairs.
• Participate in snow and ice control operations, storm response, and emergency management activities as assigned.
• Participate in structured training, mentoring, and professional development activities.
• Schedules maintenance of vehicles and equipment and maintain records related thereto.
• Processes PA One Call requests and ensures that Township facilities are properly marked and reported safe for digging purposes.
• On-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Must be available for after-hour calls.

Supervision and Personnel Development

• Supervises and assists work crews in maintaining and repairing Township roads, parks, trails, buildings, and facilities; organizes and prioritizes workloads; assigns tasks and equipment; trains employees; monitors progress and inspects facilities for proper care; recommends improvements; and directs or participates in flagger and work zone traffic control duties.
• Assist with supervision of departmental staff, including work assignments, training, and performance monitoring.
• Support enforcement of safety policies, procedures, and OSHA-related requirements.
• Participate in employee training initiatives and certification tracking.
• Assist in facilitating and resolving employee issues and conflicts within Township policies.

Administrative and Financial Support

• Assist with preparation and monitoring of departmental operating and capital budgets.
• Help track expenditures, materials usage, and inventory.
• Assist with preparation of reports, work records, and documentation for Township Manager and Board of Supervisors.
• Support grant applications, project documentation, and reimbursement requests when applicable.

Capital Projects and Engineering Coordination

• Assist in planning, coordinating, and overseeing capital improvement projects related to roads, facilities, and Township properties.
• Coordinate with engineers, consultants, utilities, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Assist with contract administration, inspections, and project closeout documentation.

Regulatory Compliance and Public Interaction

• Assist in ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including PennDOT, DEP, and safety standards.
• Respond to resident inquiries, service requests, and complaints in a professional and timely manner.
• Assist with preparation of public communications related to departmental activities.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work involves both office and field environments.
• Requires the ability to traverse construction sites, roadways, and Township properties.
• May involve exposure to weather extremes, traffic, construction equipment, and emergency conditions.
• Ability to lift moderate weights and perform field inspections as required.

Career Progression

This is a trainee position intended to develop the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary for advancement within the Roads and Properties Department. Continued employment and advancement are contingent upon satisfactory performance, successful completion of training objectives, and departmental needs.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists the Assistant Director & Director of Roads and Properties as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as requested.
• Supervisory experience in a Union workplace (Preferred)

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• High School graduate or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in road construction and maintenance along with 3 years proven supervisory experience.
• Supervisory experience in a Union workplace (Preferred)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Effective supervisory techniques. Ability to assign and direct the work of other employees.
• Thorough knowledge of maintenance and construction techniques relating to roadway construction and management, storm sewers, parkland and building maintenance and highway operations.
• Basic computer knowledge and skills in Microsoft Office and general knowledge of GIS. Ability to work a personal computer, utilizing word processing, calendar, email and internet software.
• Ability to plan, organize and supervise subordinate employees in the maintenance, construction and operations of streets and highways.
• Ability to plan and manage multiple projects and ongoing operations simultaneously within appropriate deadlines.
• Ability to exercise good judgement, courtesy and tact in dealing with the public, associates and Township officials.
• Strong skills in the operation and manipulation of snowplows, trucks and other heavy equipment under all weather conditions are required.
• Strong organizational skills are required.
• Thorough knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions in assigned areas is essential.
• Ability to complete and maintain reports, records and logs, to prepare budgets and strictly adhere to and enforce all safety rules and regulations is essential.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public, and to plan, direct, prioritize, supervise and evaluate the work of others is essential.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to write letters, memos and reports.
• Exercise initiative and judgement in accordance with accepted practices.
• Good physical condition is required to perform heavy physical labor.
• Ability to read and interpret policies, procedures, manuals, technical literature, reports, specifications, regulations, plans, drawings, blueprints and engineering guidelines.
• Ability to perform work with limited supervision.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Directs the work of employees in the Roads and Properties Department. Carries out all supervisory functions in accordance with the Township’s rules, policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION

• Valid PA driver’s license required with Class A CDL (or ability to obtain within 6 months of being hired). PA driver’s licenses must be current at all times.
• Forklift certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months of being hired)
• Flagger certification/ Work zone certification
• Stormwater Certification within 4 years of being hired
• Other Licenses and Certifications as Required

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Computers, software and general office equipment are used in this position. The incumbent may engage in the use of any or all equipment used by subordinate employees such as pick-up trucks, dump trucks, hand and power tools, welding and fabrication equipment, pavement saws, jackhammers, lawn and garden equipment, chain and other saws, street sweepers, graders, backhoes, pressure washers, grade rake, and other specialized equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb and balance; stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl; talk, see and hear. Heavy lifting/pushing of 80 pounds or more is occasionally required. Special physical effort may be required when performing routine and emergency maintenance. This position requires the physical ability to drive and maneuver vehicles / equipment, handle tools, use feet for repetitive motions and use hands for repetitive actions. Driving for extended periods of time in a variety of conditions is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job in the field or at facilities, the employee is exposed to traffic, heights, outside weather conditions, extremes in temperature, wet or humid conditions, strong vibrations, moving mechanical parts, sharp blades or instruments, strong odors, fumes, gases or airborne particles,

toxic or caustic chemicals, confined spaces, flames, risk of explosion, risk of electrical shock, burns and explosion. The noise level in the work environment can be very loud. The employee may be exposed to mental stress due to public service.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.