Director of Public Works

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

DEFINITION:

Under direction, plans, organizes, and directs the programs and activities of a comprehensive public works department such as road, sewer, and water line construction, repair, and maintenance; sanitation operations; traffic signal installation, maintenance, and repair; landscape and tree maintenance; mosquito control; and water and/or sewage treatment; may also be responsible for administration of a professional engineering program relating to public works activities and facilities; does other related duties.

NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Develops, administers, and implements a variety of public works programs including but not limited to the construction, reconstruction, and improvement of streets, roads, bridges, public buildings, water and sewer facilities, and recreation facilities, and may also be responsible for administration of a mosquito control program.

Establishes priorities among work programs and implements plans.

Manages work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.

Coordinates the work plans of various functional units.

Prepares, inspects, and approves plans and specifications, and consults with general contractors on construction projects.

Prepares the annual capital improvements budget.

Directs studies of public works functions.

May have charge of the administration and supervision of a water supply and/or water treatment and/or sewage treatment system and/or public wastewater collection system.

May administer the professional engineering program; establishes the design criteria for the improvement, construction, and reconstruction of roads and drainage facilities.

May review and approve engineering plans and specifications prior to implementation.

May direct engineering studies, and the development of engineering plans and designs for the construction and/or maintenance of structures and public works facilities.

Supervises the use of equipment.

Supervises the maintenance of records and files.

Prepares reports and correspondence.

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.

Ten (10) years of professional experience in the development, administration and implementation of public works or other similar construction/maintenance programs, including responsibility for budgeting and supervision, four (4) years of which shall have included management responsibilities.

OR

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, four (4) years of which shall have included management responsibilities.

OR

Possession of a master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Industrial Management, Industrial Engineering, Management Science, or in a program related to the organization, operation, administration, and control of private or public organizations; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, four (4) years of which shall have included management responsibilities.

NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.

LICENSE:

Positions involving responsible charge of professional engineering work require a Professional Engineer's License issued by the New Jersey Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

Positions involving responsible charge of professional surveying work require a Professional Land Surveyor's License issued by the New Jersey Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyor's.

Positions responsible for supervising the operation of public wastewater collection systems, public wastewater treatment systems, public water distribution systems, public water treatment systems will be required to possess a license of the appropriate class issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

NOTE: Jurisdictions may require a single position in this title to function as the Principal Public Works Manager for the jurisdiction. Such appointees will be required to possess certification as a Certified Public Works Manager (CPWM) issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of techniques used to plan for effective use of available funds, personnel, equipment, materials, and supplies.

Knowledge of management principles and techniques.

Knowledge of procedures used to make routine and complex repairs to water and sewer equipment, and in the construction, maintenance, and repair of streets and roads.

Knowledge of construction plans and specifications.

Knowledge of problems and procedures used in engineering design and supervision of construction projects (when engineering functions are performed).

Knowledge of engineering principles relating to the construction and maintenance of public works facilities (when engineering functions are performed).

Knowledge of varied engineering calculations (when engineering functions are performed).

Knowledge of the installation, maintenance, and repair of traffic signal equipment.

Knowledge of problems involved in supervision of various public works construction and maintenance projects.

Ability to coordinate varied interrelated departmental programs and activities.

Ability to read and interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the organizational unit, and apply them to specific situations.

Ability to apply management principles and techniques to problematic and other situations.

Ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate engineering data and formulate solutions to theoretical and practical engineering problems (when engineering functions are performed).

Ability to apply knowledge of theoretical and practical engineering principles and methods (when engineering functions are performed).

Ability to supervise the work of subordinate staff.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret construction plans and specifications.

Ability to work harmoniously with general contractors, associates, subordinates, and others involved in public works programs and activities.

Ability to participate in the development of construction projects.

Ability to prepare reports and correspondence.

Ability to establish and maintain records and files.

Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.