Public Works Administrator

First review of applications will be on March 26th.

DEFINITION: 

Under administrative direction, to plan, organize and manage the operation and staff of the County Resource Management Agency Public Works Division in the design, construction, maintenance and repair of county highways, roads, bridges and related structures; to have responsible charge of the  equipment and public works facilities; to have responsible charge of the planning, acquisition, development and maintenance of county parks and recreational facilities; to have responsible charge of county transportation services; to have responsible charge of Capital Projects and Integrated Waste; to serve as the County Director of Transportation  in accordance with applicable provisions of the County Code, California Streets and Highways Code and other relevant state laws; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Public Works Administrator is responsible for the administration of the Resource Management Agency Public Works Division which ensures the construction, operation, and maintenance of public work facilities in a safe, cost effective, courteous, and professional manner.  Covers the design, construction, maintenance and repair of county highways, roads, bridges and related structures and the equipment and public works facilities throughout the County. The Public Works Administrator is required to possess a broad knowledge of effective administrative practices.

The Public Works Administrator is expected to accomplish these functions with a maximum degree of independence within established policies and procedures set forth by the Board of Supervisors, County Executive Officer, and federal, state, and County laws, ordinances, and regulations.  Responsibilities include coordination with management staff of other County departments and governmental agencies to manage and accomplish the complex and varied functions of the department.  The position is accountable for accomplishing division goals and objectives, for furthering County goals and objectives within general policy guidelines, for providing highly responsible administrative support to the County Executive Officer and Board of Supervisors. The Public Works Administrator reports to the County Executive Officer or Resource Management Agency Director.

EMPLOYMENT AT WILL:

The classification of Public Works Administrator is an Executive position.  The Public Works Administrator is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the County Executive Officer and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, and without any right of appeal.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily in an office environment including sitting at a desk working with computer equipment for prolonged periods, and travel for work purposes and occasionally works outdoors with exposure to varying weather extremes and uneven terrain; hear and communicate orally in person, on the phone and in meetings; hand/eye coordination for use of computer/office equipment and performing ergonomics assessments; visual ability to distinguish colors; regularly working with files and general office equipment; safely operate a motor vehicle.  Light to moderate lifting and carrying of files; occasionally stand and walk for extended periods.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Duties include but are not limited to those described below. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.

• Plans, organizes, assigns, and directs the work of the assigned units within the Division of Public Works including Road Maintenance, Parks, Integrated Waste, Capital Projects, County Surveyor/Engineering and Transportation Services
• Serves as the County Director of Transportation  exercising responsible charge over public works engineering functions and performing all duties required under applicable provisions of the County Code and California Streets and Highways Code and related statutes
• Oversees the performance of staff engaged in professional engineering work in the design and construction of highways, roads, bridges, parks and other public works
• Organizes and deploys available resources for the maintenance, repair and improvement of public works facilities, county equipment and county buildings
• Evaluates the need for and develops plans, schedules and cost estimates for long-range capital improvement programs and maintenance of public facilities
• Establishes departmental goals and objectives and develops the procedures, policies and rules for implementation
• Prepares and supervises the preparation of reports to obtain state and federal funds for construction projects and acquisition of rights-of-way, directs and reviews studies the county road system and recommends primary and secondary network
• Supervises staff engaged in the coordination of transit services
• Supervises budget preparation and recommends budget and capital improvement programs to the County Executive Officer and Board of Supervisors
• Monitors departmental budget and expenditures, taking into consideration priorities, cost estimates and the availability of personnel, equipment and funds
• Approves or disapproves the work done by private contractors on county roads and bridges
• Coordinates the work of the department with that of the State Department of Transportation
• Compiles estimates, contract provisions and specifications
• Reviews bids and advises the County Executive Officer and Board of Supervisors on contract provisions
• Coordinates the work of outside private civil engineers and land surveyors engaged in land improvements required by the county as a condition of acceptance for subdivisions and development projects
• Checks, reviews and confers with county officials on work progress and technical problems
• Conducts studies and prepares comprehensive reports on proposed improvements, repairs or changes in public works
• Meets with public and civic groups to discuss road improvement problems
• Park development and maintenance needs, and the programs and activities of the department
• Interviews, selects, directs and participates in the training and evaluation of employees
• Prepares and maintains records, reports and correspondence
• Attends meetings of the Board of Supervisors and various commissions
• Represents the Agency before the public and other agencies
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge Of/Ability To

Knowledge of:
County public works administration; principles and practices as applied to the field of county public works, including planning and development, design, construction, operation and maintenance; technical, legal,
financial and public relations problems involved in the conduct of county public works programs; methods of preparing designs, plans, specifications, estimates, reports administration and management including personnel, budgeting, training, organization and supervision; county and state building codes; principles, methods and equipment used in landscaping, irrigation and park landscaping and maintenance; state and federal funding programs for local highway and public facilities construction projects; organization, functions and operations of the County Public Works Departments; principles of leadership; park, building and facility management principles and practices; safety principles and practices; principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation; principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building, and conflict resolution; principles and practices of management, supervision, and personnel management; principles and practices of customer service and quality improvement; thorough knowledge of Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations relating to construction and maintenance of public works facilities;
thorough knowledge of public administration, including public-sector budgeting and financial management; computer applications related to the work; methods and techniques of research and report presentation.

Ability to:
Plan, organize, and direct the work of personnel engaged in road and bridge construction and maintenance, engineering, land surveying, equipment repairs and land acquisition, and park and facilities management; review and direct the preparation of plans, specifications, cost estimates, and schedules for public works projects; plan, organize, assign, direct, review and evaluate the work of staff; select and motivate staff and provide for their training and professional development; advise and make recommendations to the County Executive Officer and Board of Supervisors on future public works needs and problems; develop and administer departmental budget; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; prepare comprehensive and complex reports and make effective oral presentations; use tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgement within established guidelines; organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up assignments with a minimum of direction; research, compile, interpret, and summarize a variety of informational, technical, and statistical data and materials; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and make effective presentations; read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations; instruct, persuade, negotiate, and motivate individuals with diverse backgrounds and business interests; collect, interpret and evaluate data and identify and evaluate variables; formulate policies and to plan, coordinate and initiate actions necessary to implement decisions; define problem areas and supervise the collection, interpretation and evaluation of major engineering projects; define and select alternatives, persuade, rationalize, and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations; exercise initiative, ingenuity and sound judgment in solving difficult administrative, technical, and personnel problems; evaluate departmental policy and programs practices, define problem areas, develop, and direct the implementation of policy-decisions and practices to improve departmental operations; instill public confidence in quality and necessity of services; coordinate departmental activities with other departments and agencies; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others; exhibit highly developed interpersonal skills, using tact, patience and courtesy; respond constructively to conflict; maintain confidentiality and control of sensitive information; inspire the trust, respect and confidence of others; work independently and as a member of a team; prioritize personal workload and that of subordinate staff; follow safe work practices and safely operator a motor vehicle.

Disaster Service Workers:  All San Benito County employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Emergency Services Chapter 6 via adoption of local Ordinance No. 361 § 1, 2-25-75). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following significant emergency or disaster.

Selection Process: 
All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list.
 
 In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all County of San Benito employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education, training and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, public administration, business administration or a closely related field.

Experience: Three (3) years of broad and extensive professional experience involving a variety of public works functions, including at least one (1) year of experience in a supervisory and administrative capacity over professional and subprofessional engineering personnel and/or public works field staff.  

License: Possession of a valid California operator’s license issued by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Desirable Qualifications:

1. A master’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field or a master’s degree in public or business administration is highly desirable.  
2. Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
3. Possession of registration as a Licensed Land Surveyor in the State of California.
4. Stormwater management experience is desirable.