Director of Public Works
CITY OF ORANGE COVE
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
REPORTS TO: City Manager TYPE: Executive - Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY:
Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and evaluates the activities of the Public Works Department which is
comprised of the Water/Wastewater, Animal Control , Streets, oversees the provision of departmental
services to City residents; prepares, implements and evaluates capital improvement program and long-range
infrastructure development plans; prepares and manages departmental budget; ensures compliance with
regulatory requirements; provides technical assistance and liaison with City staff, developers, other agencies.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Identifies and prioritizes project needs, establishes project completion time-lines, and provides direction for the
use of available staff on public works infrastructure maintenance and development.
• Confers with architects, engineers, developers, consultants and the general public concerning engineering
and public works construction and maintenance matters; assists public in design projects to comply with City
development standards; meets with project developers and designers to advise them on City policy standards and alternate design techniques.
• Coordinates work activities with other City departments and contract engineering services; confers with staff as needed in preparing and reviewing plans and specifications, inspecting and supervising projects, and
implementing improvements or extensions of City infrastructure.
• Confers with, and provides direction and guidance to Public Works Maintenance and Water/Wastewater staff
related to upgrade, maintenance and repair activities in their divisions.
• Prepares annual Public Works budget and submits budget requests to the City Manager; monitors and controls departmental expenditures.
• Provides a variety of data, studies, reports and recommendations related to Public Works Department
programs and activities to the City Manager, the City Council and its committees, and other
agencies/committees.
• Attends meetings of various committees and organizations as the City or Department representative;
provides input, comment and decisions relative to public works projects and programs.
• Participates in the selection, training and development and performance evaluation of the Department’s
employees.
• Determines the need for contract construction/repair services involving the public works infrastructure;
participates in negotiating contracts; monitors contracts to assure compliance with terms and conditions.
• Develops long range capital facility and infrastructure plans; presents and recommends plans to City
Administration; implements plans adopted by the City Council.
• Directs the development and implementation of preventative maintenance programs involving buildings and
other structures, the vehicle fleet, streets, water/wastewater systems, etc.
• Maintains files on all engineering and construction projects, including City projects and subdivisions, lot line
adjustments and related maps.
• Prepares, reviews and inspects engineering and design work on public improvements.
• Researches public right-of-way and easements and prepares legal descriptions on same.
• Maintains liaison with County and State public works/ engineering staff.
MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS:
Computer monitor, keyboard, personal computer and programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, Access, Auto-cad; plotter; printer; telephone; programmable calculator; shovel, small hand tools (hammer, etc.); automobile, copier, FAX; water flow meter; drafting equipment.
DESIRABLE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
• Municipal public works planning, design, maintenance and construction.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and employee development.
• Principles of budget preparation and expenditure control.
• Applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations pertaining to local government and public works
functions.
• Methods of analyzing, evaluating and implementing public works programs in a municipality.
• The theories, principles, practices and techniques of civil engineering, surveying, planning and building
construction.
• The California Subdivision Map Act.
Ability to:
• Plan, organize and direct the work of public works personnel.
• Analyze organizational and administrative problems, recommend alternative courses of action, and provide
leadership to others in implementing such actions.
• Review plans, specifications and contract documents related to the construction and maintenance of public
works projects.
• Prepare clear and comprehensive written reports.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with City officials, employees, contractors, the general public
and representatives of other agencies.
• Apply specific provisions of applicable building, zoning and City standard specifications for public
improvements.
• Make calculations and mathematical computations quickly and accurately.
• Select,supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of a valid Class C or higher California driver’s license.
Incumbent must be a results-oriented person and persuasive individual who is accustomed to a “hands on”
approach, should value leadership and entrepreneurship over “process,” and must have a high level of
sensitivity to customer service.
Establishing cooperative working relationships with City officials, contractors, representatives of other agencies is essential to the success of the position.
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:
Five years of progressively responsible experience in administering public works functions. Any equivalent
combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be
qualifying. A bachelor’s degree, from an accredited four year college or university in Civil Engineering or related field.
DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:
Registration as a Registered Civil Engineer in the State of California.
NOTE: Accommodations may be made for some of the essential functions/requirements listed for qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation, due to a qualifying disability.