THE POSITION
Under general direction, assists in the administration of the department; plans, organizes, integrates and directs the activities and work of a major division within the Public Works Agency; represents the Agency in matters relating to divisional responsibilities; and performs other related duties as required.
The Deputy Director – Public Works Agency (PWA) is part the PWA management team.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES
The successful candidates not only possess the minimum requirements of the positions but also possess experience working effectively with professional engineers, contractors, elected officials and others; have the proven ability to analyze complex situations, determine effective courses of action and successfully implement planned actions; have experience managing operations and organization of a large division/unit; and have excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
Deputy Director-Public Works Agency is a Management/Confidential position and is not eligible for overtime. Incumbents in this classification are eligible for benefits at the MB3 level.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
In cooperation with the Director of assigned Public Works Department, assists in the administration and management of the department.
Oversees all activities of the division while planning, directing, and supervising division resources.
Supervises, hires, trains, counsels, and recommends disciplinary action, and evaluates professional and technical staff; supervises subordinate staff in the assigned work unit including preparing major disciplinary actions.
Oversees the progress of multiple active projects from initial conception to completion, including preparing standards and budget; determining feasibility; assessing environmental impact; negotiating with consultants; administering contracts; ensuring federal, state, and county standards and requirements are met.
Oversees enforcement of a variety of County ordinances, permits, etc., including fines, fees, recording of legal notices, hearings, and educating the public to facilitate compliance.
Develops plans, policies, standards, and procedures.
Supervises the preparation of special written engineering reports, specialized studies, and contract documents; evaluates engineering and environmental plans.
Coordinates activities with other divisions, departments, state, federal and local agencies, property owners/land developers, or private consultants.
Represents the County in negotiations with resource agencies (Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Game, etc.) for environmental or other permitting. Signs permits and agreements with resource agencies.
Directs the preparation and administration of annual budgets; identifies needs and makes or approves purchases for necessary supplies, materials, and rentals to accomplish division assignments.
Supervises the preparation of grant applications, securing revenue from all available resources; ensures compliance with regulations related to the expenditure of state and federal funds.
Directs the review of work performed by private engineering firms under contract.
Evaluates existing or proposed legislation as to its operational or financial effects on departmental activities.
Directs the work during emergency responses of a natural or other disaster by planning, prioritizing and coordinating work with other partners, and directing the work of the Department.
Coordinates legal issues with County Counsel, may supervise defense coordination for lawsuits against the Agency, and may appear in court as an expert witness regarding public works matters.
Manages, designs, and implements special projects having a regional impact on the life and health of County residents.
Supervises and directs the negotiations and preparation of joint powers agreements with other agencies; conducts negotiations with developers, contractors, consultants, and other service or product providers.
May represent the Agency before the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, Regional Water Quality Control Board, or other governing or advisory bodies.
May schedule and conduct citizen advisory committee meetings.
May assume the responsibility of the Department Director in their absence for periods of two weeks or less.
May visit sites and perform field review of subdivision, facilities and infrastructure construction and direct repairs subsequent to natural and man-made disasters.
May conduct field investigations of complaints from the public and resolve issues and concerns.
Performs other related duties as required.
If assigned to the O&M Division, duties also include:
Acts as the Dam Safety Officer, and directs dam and levee safety programs.
Directs the Watershed Protection Benefit Assessment (revenue) program.
Directs the Watershed Protection Integrated Pest Management Program.
Typical Qualifications
These are the entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and progressively responsible experience related to the specific program assignment, which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically obtained by:
Watershed Operations and Maintenance (O&M): Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and three (3) years managing an engineering, environmental or related section at a level equivalent to an Engineering Manager II or III.
Watershed Water Resources (WR): Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, one of the natural, environmental, or physical sciences, hydrology, geology, or hydrogeology and three (3) years of extensive, progressively responsible experience in water quality management, engineering, environmental science, or groundwater management, managing an engineering or environmental section and developing/administering public contracts.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license;
Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California: An incumbent possessing an out-of-state registration at the time of hire must obtain California registration as a condition of completing probation (i.e., within 12 months of employment) (O&M):
Must be available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day for response during disasters and emergency repair of infrastructure/emergency events;
Must be able and willing to walk on rough or uneven surfaces/slopes; and withstand exposure to dust, noise, chemicals, gas, fumes, and inclement weather or hazardous conditions requiring moderate to heavy physical activities; and
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
DESIRED
Experience with budgeting public works projects;
Experience making sound recommendations for improvements and strategic plans;
Experience collaborating with multiple levels of an organization and various departments or agencies to achieve objectives;
An understanding of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (WR);
An understanding of contract and environmental law and some knowledge of water rights (WR);
Experience with groundwater/surface water modelling (WR);
Experience in operations and maintenance management and supervision (O&M).
