Director, Public Works

SUMMARY

The Director, Public Works is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and integrating the City’s public works activities and functions under policy direction from the City Administrator. The Director must provide professional assistance to city management in areas of expertise over the following divisions: water treatment, water/wastewater services, wastewater treatment, streets and infrastructure. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

1.    Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of the Public Works Department. Duties may include but are not limited to the following: Manages and directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of plans, policies, systems procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives, and work standards, in conjunction with long-term plans, goals and objectives.

2.    Monitors intergovernmental affairs affecting the Water, Wastewater, Street and infrastructure divisions.

3.    Directs and oversees hiring, interviewing and training of potential new employees, as well as plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the performance of assigned staff. Establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides instruction for performance improvement and development. Makes recommendations on compensation and other rewards to recognize performance; takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with the City’s personnel rules and policies.

4.    Provides leadership and works with department staff to develop and retain highly competent, customer service-oriented staff. 

5.    Advises the City Administrator and City officials in matters relating to department activities. 

6.    Assists in the preparation of resolutions, city ordinances and the revision of existing ordinances.

7.    Oversees the monitoring of City Lake for the purpose of providing water per contract with SWEPCO. This also includes review of monthly pumping records, provided by SWEPCO, and annual reporting to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.

8.    Prepares and makes presentations to City staff, Board of Directors, and public entities.

9.    Coordinates reviews and approves the work of consulting engineers and a wide variety of independent service providers within the Public Works Department.

10.    Assists and oversees the preparation of the division budgets and is responsible for oversight thereof.

11.    Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies procedures, and work standards for the assigned divisions. 

12.    Monitors development related to utility matters, evaluates their impact on city operations, and implements policy and procedure improvements. 

13.    Represents the City in negotiations with other agencies, utilities, groups and individuals on a wide variety of issues pertaining to Water and Wastewater.

14.    Directs the development of emergency response plans and coordination efforts for the protection of public health and safety; maintains snow removal plan, street and sidewalk maintenance and repair master plan, and drainage plan.

15.    Works irregular intervals with environmental attorneys, strategists, and consultants to develop environmental policies, permits, and compliance with local, state, and federal environmental laws.

16.    Analyzes trends such as population and industrial growth to determine adequacy and future infrastructure needs. 

17.    Prepares specifications and bid documents for materials and equipment purchases. 

18.    Recommends contract awards, negotiates contract provisions, and coordinates, reviews, and approves contractor’s performance. 

19.    Responsible for funds, equipment, and /or property valued at $50 MM.

20.    Performs related duties as assigned. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Exercises direct and indirect supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff. Directly supervises ten or less employees and indirectly supervises department employees through subordinate supervisors in the four Divisions of the Public Works Department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. 

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Theory, principles, practices and techniques of municipal water and sewer treatment, distribution/collection, water/wastewater utilities; street and sidewalk maintenance and/or replacement; applicable federal, state, and local law, codes and regulations governing the administration of the aforementioned public utilities’ functions and activities. Principles and practices of water, wastewater, and street administration, including budgeting, purchasing and the maintenance of public records; organization and functions of an elected Board of Directors; the City’s personnel rules and policies; principles and practices of management and supervision.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or a closely related field; or minimum of five (5) years of progressive management/administrative experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Plan, direct and integrate broad, comprehensive water, wastewater programs and activities; analyze complex engineering and maintenance issues and problems, evaluate alternative solutions, and develop sound conclusions, recommendations, and courses of action. Present proposals and recommendations clearly and logically in public meetings. Understand, interpret, explain, and apply local, state and federal law and regulations governing water, wastewater, and solid waste utilities services.  Evaluate management practices and adopt effective courses of action. Develop clear, concise, and comprehensive technical reports, correspondence and other written materials; exercise sound, expert independent judgment within general policy guidelines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Board of Directors, officials, other governmental and regulatory officials, staff, private and community organizations, developers, contractors and others encountered in the course or work.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts, such as probability and statistical inference and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. The ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific, equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must possess a valid State driver’s license.  

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 talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to sit and smell.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close, distant and color vision, depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 position, the incumbent occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electric shock, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position.  Employees will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their Supervisor.

*Safety sensitive position includes, but is not limited to, any job, assignment, rank or title where any of the following apply:

Subject to drug and alcohol testing or restrictions promulgated by the U.S. Department of Transportation; involves carrying, repairing, transporting or keeping of firearms or ammunition; includes performing any medical or life-saving procedures, or responsibility for procuring, storing, transporting, dispensing or administering any drugs or medical supplies or equipment; involves working with confidential information, documents or material pertaining to criminal investigations; procuring, storing, transporting or otherwise working with hazardous or flammable materials, controlled substances, food or electricity; involves operating, repairing, maintaining or driving heavy equipment, machinery, aircraft, motorized watercraft or motor vehicles, or working in close proximity thereto; a momentary lapse of attention may result in grave and immediate danger to the public, self or fellow employees; requires engaging in any other activity in which the employee is responsible for his or her own or other people’s safety.

*Weather Essential position includes employees are declared to be all sworn police officers, all sworn firefighters, dispatchers, emergency road crew employees in the Street Department, and electric personnel in the Electric Department.

*Civility and Professionalism- The City of Siloam Springs is a team-based service organization.  Maintenance of good internal morale is essential to the City’s success.  An employee is required to maintain professional and ethical behavior and act with integrity in all matters.  The City of Siloam is committed to providing a work environment that is free from bullying, harassment, intimidation, abusive language, gossip, employees spreading discontent or exhibiting any behavior that is disruptive to the workplace and contrary to the City’s mission.

*Regular Attendance- Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at the City of Siloam Springs. Employees are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees also are expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule. Late arrival, early departure, or other absences from scheduled hours, that are not pre-approved or are excessive are disruptive and are to be avoided.