Director of Public Works

About the role

The next Director of Public Works is an experienced, grounded, and collaborative leader who brings the management depth and interpersonal range to lead a large, complex department while remaining genuinely connected to the people and communities that the department serves.

The ideal candidate understands that Public Works is Sacramento's most visible service organization and carries that responsibility with pride, consistency, and a commitment to excellence in every interaction, from the executive conference room to the field.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, manage, lead, and direct the overall operations of the Department.
• Meet with Division Managers, and other key department staff to share information, discuss issues (current, emerging, potential) regarding projects, policies, and programs and to determine priorities and resource management issues, on a regular basis.
• Develop priorities, approach, and strategies regarding organizational development/ improvement initiatives; develop, plan, and implement Department goals and objectives in accordance with the core purpose, mission, vision, and values of the organization; develop, recommend, and administer policies and procedures; identify, develop, and implement initiatives to improve service delivery (transportation design/air quality, street maintenance, parking) with other city departments and public/regional agencies.
• Administer, direct, and recommend the Department budget; analyze fiscal data to identify and project resource needs; obtain needed resources; monitor and approve budget expenditures.
• Review legislation and assure compliance with laws, regulations, statutes, and codes that impact Department operations.
• Select, assign, train, direct, and evaluate subordinate staff, including subordinate managers, supervisors, professionals, and others; discuss, negotiate, and resolve personnel issues/conflicts with staff, unions, and labor relations.
• Provide consultation and oversight to citywide strategic planning efforts and participates in planning/design teams to develop direction, recommendations, and strategies for Executive Team development and citywide improvement initiatives; participates in Executive Team meetings.
• Negotiate, arbitrate, and resolve program, project, and policy issues and conflicts with the City Council, City Manager, other departments, and community/business stakeholders.
• Attend City Council meetings; meet with City Manager’s office and City Council regarding new programs, project/program status, sensitive/controversial issues; coordinate assigned activities with City officials, other City departments, and outside agencies as appropriate; participate on committees and boards and in community activities as assigned; attend meetings, conferences, and workshops.
• Prepare complex statistical and narrative reports, correspondence, and other documents.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of: Organizational development, process development, systems thinking. Subdivision laws and public works financing. Principles and practices of engineering and administration as applied to the design and construction of public works facilities and technical inspection services. Principles and practices of modern office management. Principles of organization, administration, budget, and personnel management. Current trends, principles, practices, methods, and techniques of public works administration; current literature, laws, regulations, and developments, as well as various agencies that impact and/or govern public works-related services. Federal, State, and regional transportation/air quality regulations.
• Skills: Interest based negotiations and consensus building. Effective verbal and written communication skills with diverse groups. Coaching and mentoring. Use of computers, computer applications, and software.
• Ability: To think and act strategically, creatively, and critically. Create common understanding on issues through education with relevant/factual information. Present complex technical and operational issues simply and logically to City managers, policy makers, and community. Be politically astute without being political. Create common understanding of organizational purpose and motivate staff to provide high quality services and customer satisfaction at a competitive cost. Be adaptable and innovative, decisive and diplomatic. Problem solve collaboratively and creatively. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, public/private agencies, and the general public.