City of Springfield, Oregon:  Assistant Public Works Director

 

This is a class specification and not an individualized job description.  A class specification defines the general character and scope of responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list every duty for a given position in a class classification.

 

Representation: Not represented	FSLA:  Exempt
Job Code:  188119	Grade/Range:  42

                                                                                                                                                                   

General Summary of Duties

This senior management position provides department wide functional support and highly complex staff assistance to the Public Works Director.  The position assists the Director in the planning, directing and review of activities of the Public Works department. Extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The incumbent routinely makes decisions pertaining to the allocation of resources and the approval and priority of projects and ongoing work efforts. The position has the latitude to solve most situations beyond supervisors' or division managers' scope; however, particularly unusual, complex, critical or costly choices may be referred to the Director.  The position regularly deals with other Public Works employees, other City employees, other levels of government, and citizens and professionals in connection with projects and assignments. Acts in capacity as the Department Director in the Director's absence.

 

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position is project oriented with the focus on cross-divisional activities involving coordination or leadership of Division Managers.  As such supervisory responsibility is mostly indirect.  The position is distinguished from division management within the Public Works department by the wide latitude it has to address department wide issues.  The position is distinguished from that of the Director in that the former does not have responsibility for the entire department on a regular basis.

 

 

Supervision Received and Exercised:  Receives administrative supervision from the Public Works Director.

 

Essential Job Functions: Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks, which may be found in positions of this class.

 

·        Assists in the development, planning and implementation of the Department goals and objectives including departmental standards and expectations, and the department's organizational health;

·        Assists the Public Works Director in managing and coordinating the departmental work plan, coordinating division activity and resources;

·        Assists Public Works Division Managers as assigned to ensure that projects are scheduled and completed; exercises authority to commit Department resources to accomplish Divisional goals and objectives;

·        Oversees long-range financial planning for 12 of the City's non-general funds; acts as liaison to the Finance Department;

·        Under direction from the City Council and City Manager negotiates City licenses, franchises, and right of way agreements with utilities and other right of way users;

·        Is a member of the Department's management team;

·        Coordinates preparation and administration of the department's contracts;

·        Represents the City as intergovernmental and Council liaison as assigned;

·        Provides support and liaison to Council and CMO on City's state and federal legislative program; manages Department legislative program;

·        Represents the Department and, as appropriate, the City with local, regional or state committees and boards as assigned;

·        Makes recommendations to the Department Director in relation to hiring, correcting deficiencies, and discipline and employee termination as assigned;

·        Communicates and coordinates regularly with the appropriate staff to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of inter-divisional and inter-departmental operation and activities;

·        Provides technical support and guidance for City activities to the Public Works Director, City Manager, Mayor and City Council including the interpretation and application of policy and procedure and legislated changes as they affect assigned functions;

·        Reviews local, state and federal legislation to determine impact on departmental plans, policies and strategies; prepares and coordinates responses and recommendations as appropriate; prepares ordinances and State legislative proposals;

·        Directs the resolution of inquiries, complaints, problems or emergencies affecting the availability or quality of services.  Responds to unusually sensitive or complex inquiries and service complaints;

·        Supervises preparation and review of contracts and intergovernmental agreements;

·        Coordinates Department's participation in collective bargaining;

·        Assists the Public Works Director with special projects as assigned;

·        Directs all Department functions in the absence of the Public Works Director;

 

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

·        Principles and practices of public works administrative services program development and administration;

·        Management techniques, principles, and practices as they relate to government operations;

·        Responsibilities and statutory obligations of municipal engineering;

·        Principles and practices of financial management, budgeting and accounting;

·        Organizational budget methods, procedures and techniques;

·        Data processing capabilities and applications;

·        Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations;

·        Principles and operations of municipal organizational structure and function;

·        Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management

 

Ability to:

·        Utilize management techniques to direct, review, and appraise the implementation of the Department goals and objectives;

·        Apply City, County, State and Federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures as they relate to public works;

·        Analyze complex technical and administrative public works problems, evaluate solutions and adopt course(s) of action;

·        Work satisfactorily with a team-oriented management style;

·        Communicate effectively both orally and in writing to convey technical material to audiences with varying familiarity with the subject matter: City Council, Commissions, Boards, other agencies, and the general public;

·        Prepare complex reports that are accurate and understandable;

·        Manage project workload and communication across division and/or department lines;

·        Plan, organize, and coordinate work in situations where numerous diverse demands are involved;

·        Establish and maintain effective work relationships with City Council, Commissions, Boards, other agencies, co-workers, vendors and the general public;

·        Utilize word processing, spreadsheet, database, and network operating systems sufficiently to perform the duties of the position;

 

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the job.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

 

Training: 

Graduation from a four year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, public administration, business, or a related field and

 

Experience: 

Six years progressively responsible professional experience in municipal government operations, to include a minimum of two years at the mid-management level or higher. A Master's or other professional degree may be substituted for one year of experience.

 

Required Special Qualifications

·        Oregon Professional Engineer's License (preferred)

 

Working Conditions

The principle duties of this position are performed in a general office environment.  The typical work week is a minimum of 45 hours with attendance at meetings outside the business day a routine requirement.          

 

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation.  Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to the disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.

 

Classification History:

3/05:  New Classification Adopted