Deputy Public Works Director – City of San Clemente

Salary: $152,380.80 – $185,224.00 Annually

Description 

The City of San Clemente is currently recruiting for a Deputy Public Works Director. San Clemente is a vibrant outdoor community making it a great place to live, work and play. The Deputy Public Works Director will plan, direct, manage and oversee activities, operations, and services of multiple functional areas within the Public Works Department, including Engineering, Utilities, Capital Projects, Maintenance and/or Emergency Planning areas. 

This recruitment will remain open until an adequate number of qualified applications have been received. For consideration, interested individuals should not delay in submitting their application. The first review of applications will be on May 12, 2024. 

IDEAL CANDIDATE 

The City is seeking a strong, energetic, team-oriented leader, who is hands-on and engaged that will be visible and accessible to their staff. The position requires someone who has broad experience in public works, and/or utilities, is politically astute, a creative problem solver and has a comfort with and a strong desire for interacting with employees, department directors, elected officials, residents, diverse stakeholders, local agencies, and serving on boards. 

The Deputy Public Works Director will have a great deal of responsibility pertaining to CIP projects. A strong background and history of proven success in delivering CIP projects in a timely manner is paramount. Experience working in transportation and development or utilities is preferred as well. Experience with projects in the Coastal Zone is highly desirable. 

The Deputy Public Works Director will be collaborative, inclusive, tech savvy, committed to accountability and exceptional customer service, and able to motivate and maximize the skills of staff. The ideal candidate will be an outstanding verbal and written communicator who exhibits a calm, even-keeled demeanor. The proven ability to translate complex technical data and concepts into understandable layperson’s terms is critical. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

This is a mid-management classification responsible for serving on the executive team for the Department of Public Works. The Deputy Public Works Director reports to the Director Public Works, and is responsible for providing planning, direction, management, and oversight over the activities, operations, and services of assigned areas within the Public Works Department. The employee(s) in this class exercise direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and support staff. 

Essential Functions 

Essential responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans, directs, and manages all services and activities of the assigned Divisions including the design, construction, and maintenance of related activities. 
• Develops and oversees implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the assigned divisions; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; and recommends and administers policies and procedures. 
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; and allocates resources accordingly. 
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plans for the assigned Divisions; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns work activities, projects and programs; monitors workflow; and reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures. 
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned division personnel; provides or coordinates training for staff; works with employees to correct deficiencies; and implements discipline and termination procedures as necessary.
• Develops and recommends assigned budgets; manages and administers the budgets; forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; and directs and implements adjustments to budgets as necessary. 
• Coordinates and implements the City-wide capital improvement program and budget; and plan, direct, and oversee construction management and inspection activities. 
• Confers with developers, architects, engineers and contractors; plans, directs, and oversees the overall activities of the Development Section, including land use applications, plan checking and permit issuance, and inspections of development projects. 
• Develops and implements City-wide programs and strategic initiatives, such as street rehabilitation, computerized asset and maintenance management, emergency planning and preparedness, facilities master plans, capital improvement projects, and/or various fee programs. 
• Directs traffic engineering activities; resolves traffic issues and complaints; and oversees transportation planning activities. 
• Serves as liaison between the Department of Public Works and other departments, divisions, and outside agencies.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; develops and implements modifications programs, policies, and procedures of the assigned division(s). 
• Provides staff assistance to the Public Works Director. 
• Serves as the acting Public Works Director in the Director’s absence. 
• Participates in and/or provides staff support to variety of boards and commissions; and prepares staff reports as required. 
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; and stays current with new trends, developments, and innovations in the field. 
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints. 
• Prepares reports and analysis for City Council, and city executive management and staff. 
• Ensures compliance with Public Contracts Code, Federal and State laws, local ordinances, and regulations.
• Performs related work as required. 

Typical Qualifications 

Knowledge of: 

• Principles, practices, concepts, and theories pertaining to civil engineering and administration; and recent developments, current literature and sources of information pertaining to the civil engineering field. Engineering practices as applied to public works and utilities design, construction, and maintenance. Professionally accepted standards and techniques related to public works. 
• Land use planning and capital improvement planning as it relates to large development projects.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration. 
• Budget and contract administration and management. 
• Principles and practices of project management. 
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration. 
• Principles of management, supervision, leadership, training, and performance evaluation. 
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations.

Ability to: 

• Provide effective management, coordination, and oversight over engineering staff and consultants over public works and utilities operations; and in the preparation and implementation of the City-wide Capital Improvement Project. Select, supervise, lead, train and evaluate staff. 
• Oversee and direct the operations, services and activities of the assigned areas of responsibility. Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient engineering and utilities services. 
• Provide responsible, effective, and timely staff assistance to the Public Works Director. 
• Prepare and administer budgets. 
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports. 
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed action, and implement recommendations in support of goals. 
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques. 
• Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations. 
• Demonstrate a high degree of organizational and political acumen when preparing and delivering presentations or findings during public meetings; and demonstrate organizational and political acumen during difficult interactions with customers, citizens, members of the public, or executives or high-ranking officials or representatives from other agencies. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

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

Experience: 

Seven years of increasingly responsible civil engineering experience with an agency, company, or organization. Previous experience must included three years of administrative and supervisory responsibilities. 

Training: 

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering. 

License or Certificate: 

Possession of an appropriate, valid Certificate of Registration as a professional civil engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers. 

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California Driver License at the time of appointment. Special Requirements: 

The employee in this class is required to attend City Council meetings and other meetings that are held during evenings and weekends. 

The employee may be required to respond to emergencies, disasters, or other critical incidents, which may occur during evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Environmental Conditions: 

The primary work setting for this job class is divided between an indoor environment in the office and outdoors in the field or utility plant/facilities. Work may involve reporting to construction sites outside in the field, which may involve exposure to heavy traffic conditions, loud noises, odors, fumes, gases, and inclement weather conditions. 

Physical Requirements: 

Work is performed in an indoor office environment, requiring extensive sitting, and some standing and walking; work is also performed outdoors in the field on an occasional basis, which involves frequent standing and walking. Moderate lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of boxes and files.

Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling to access files. 

Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment, handle files and documents. Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone. 

Visual acuity to see/read documents and computer screen.