Public Works Program Specialist, Senior

Salary: $99,602.88 - $119,891.20 annually

About the Role

Under general direction, performs complex and specialized water resources or solid waste contract administration duties; coordinates, implements, and maintains assigned programs; provides information, expertise, and technical assistance to staff, educators, government agencies, and the general public; may act as a lead worker. The Resource Recovery and Waste Management Specialty emphasizes the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of solid waste collection, diversion, and recycling programs in Santa Barbara County.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will enjoy working both independently and as part of a team and exhibit the following characteristics and skills:

• Highly professional and ethical
• Excellent problem solver
• Strong communicator, both orally and in writing
• Ability to analyze complex documents and data
• Experience with managing solid waste franchise agreements
• Familiarity with municipal rate setting procedures
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects and stick to deadlines
• Exceptionally organized
• Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful situations

About the Public Works Department

The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department consists of six divisions: Transportation, Resource Recovery and Waste Management, Water Resources Division & Flood Control District, Laguna County Sanitation District, the County Surveyors Office, and Administration. The County's Public Works Department employees are committed to efficiently providing, operating and maintaining public works infrastructure, facilities and services to make everyday life as safe and convenient as possible for the public we serve.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates, implements, and monitors a variety of new and established, complex, environmentally-sensitive or resource-related programs and/or service contracts, such as franchise agreements for the collection of solid waste, recyclables, and green waste for all residential and commercial customers in the unincorporated areas of the County.
• Evaluates programs and service providers and follows through on contract enforcement; monitors program budgets and receives, approves, and codes related invoices.
• Researches, compiles, analyzes, and interprets information and data; calculates solid waste collection rates; and prepares narrative and technical reports to meet internal, state, and federal reporting requirements.
• Assesses the need for new programs; conducts surveys; develops grant proposals and explores funding options; writes project work plans and scope of work for professional services; negotiates contracts and budgets; prepares and distributes Requests for Proposals; and evaluates, ranks, and participates in the selection of contractors.
• Prepares reports on projected costs, revenues, and tonnages of different material types for County and external entities.
• Reviews existing and proposed legislation for impact on programs; writes, publishes, and/or distributes guidelines, policies, and manuals; performs special projects; prepares Board letters; and makes presentations before the Board of Supervisors.
• Represents the Public Works Department at professional conferences, on committees, and to other governmental jurisdictions, outside agencies, contractors, media representatives, and the public.
• Writes articles for County and other professional newsletters, publications, and Internet Websites; and responds to inquiries and resolves program complaints from the public.
• Acts as an internal consultant to Public Works staff and other County departments; assigns and reviews the work of staff; provides training for entry-level program staff; and interviews, selects, trains, and evaluates the performance of interns.

Requirements

Possession of a four-year degree from an accredited college or university; AND:

• Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in research, planning, or implementation of solid waste recycling or diversion programs; OR,
• Two years of experience performing solid waste recycling or diversion program duties equivalent to the class of Public Works Program Specialist II with Santa Barbara County; OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Candidates whose four-year degree is in a field related to the specialty assignment, e.g., environmental studies, biological sciences, natural resource management, or urban or regional planning, may substitute the specialized education for one year of the required experience.

Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License is required.

Skills

Knowledge of:

• Contemporary environmental issues
• Principles and techniques of contract administration, budgeting, and public relations
• Research methods
• Basic math, including fractions and percentages
• Standard English grammar, usage, and syntax
• Local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies related to solid waste management
• Principles of solid waste management, including waste reduction, handling, processing, diversion, and disposal
• Resource recovery and source reduction programs
• Composting technology, techniques, and materials

Ability to:

• Represent the department with tact and diplomacy
• Conduct oneself professionally during tense or controversial situations
• Interact appropriately with representatives of the media
• Read, understand, and interpret technical information
• Gather and analyze information, draw valid conclusions, and make decisions
• Prepare effective written correspondence, technical reports, and promotional materials using correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax
• Perform basic math computations involving fractions and percentages
• Prepare cost/benefit analyses
• Prepare and give public presentations before small and large groups and decision-making bodies
• Lead public meetings, facilitate discussions, and keep discussions focused
• Identify concerns, and report back to management
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Resolve citizen complaints
• Organize multiple projects simultaneously and set priorities to meet deadlines
• Design new programs, including timelines and budgets
• Prepare, negotiate, evaluate, and monitor contracts
• Work independently
• Administer a contract budget
• Identify resulting consequences of actions
• Use keyboards and personal computers including word-processing, database, and graphics software and the Internet
• Assign and review the work of others
• Train and evaluate staff

Benefits

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
• Holidays: 13 days per year.
• Sick Leave: 12 days per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
• Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium.
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics: in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age 15.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employees may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate