Assistant Director of Public Works

Assistant Director of Public Works

The assistant director of Public Works works directly under and serves as a key support to the Public Works director, providing operational, managerial, technical, and financial oversight of the Public Works Department. The role ensures effective, efficient, and responsible management of all public works operations. The position is appointed by the mayor, with the advice and consent of the City Council.

The position assists in organizing, directing, overseeing, and evaluating the daily operations of the department, which includes:

• Administration
• Streets
• Sewer and Water
• Stormwater Management
• Buildings & Grounds
• Fleet & Equipment Operations
• Animal Control

The assistant director maintains a professional, responsible, and customer-centered working environment and ensures compliance with regulations, policies, and the department's capital improvement plan.

Illustrative examples of work include:

• Assisting the director with research and preparation of various administrative reports and departmental analyses.
• Suggesting and/or designing departmental record-keeping procedures.
• Developing, recommending, revising, and enforcing organizational and departmental standard operating procedures, policies, rules, and regulations.
• Assisting and making recommendations with regard to personnel matters.
• Keeping abreast of existing and anticipated potential problems, circumstances, activities and/or events which may/will affect the department.
• Providing ongoing administration and oversight of various City contracts and agreements.
• Reviewing and responding to questions, comments, complaints, and requests for service lodged by the general public.
• Assisting in the determination of resources to be devoted to various needs on a short and long-term basis.
• Advising subordinates and supervisors on non-routine matters requiring special knowledge and/or expertise.
• Assisting with the development, implementation, administration and enforcement of departmental emergency operations, policies, and procedures.
• Administering a comprehensive departmental-wide program of required and discretionary safety/skill enhancement and professional development training and other related activities.
• Assisting with department mandatory medical testing, random drug/alcohol testing, post-accident testing, and other related activities.
• Preparing and making presentations before the City Council and general public on matters pertaining to the Department when administratively assigned.
• Monitoring work practices and worksite conditions to maintain employee safety in the performance of routine and emergency tasks.
• Planning, organizing, directing and evaluating public works' emergency operations, hazard mitigation, and disaster recovery planning.
• Performing other duties as may be assigned.

Required knowledge, skill, and ability include:

• Thorough knowledge of all aspects of construction engineering and related State and Federal documentation.
• Working knowledge of the principles of engineering, including the ability to read and interpret engineering plans and technical drawings.
• Knowledge of purchasing, preparation of proposal, bidding processes, practices, laws, and related rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of the principles of budgeting, capital improvement planning, personnel management, vehicle equipment planning and management, and data processing systems.
• Experienced with Federal and IDOT-related documentation for municipal work and standard spreadsheet, word processing, and database applications. Knowledge of GIS systems is desirable.
• Ability to understand complex technical issues.
• Ability to effectively and accurately communicate both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of the pertinent laws, statutes and ordinances affecting the operation of the department.
• Ability to supervise, plan, organize, assign, direct and evaluate the work of subordinates and other employees in the department.
• Ability to develop, implement, enforce and maintain employee training and safety programs, including maintenance of necessary records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with the Director, Streets Superintendent, City Administrator, Elected Officials, Department Heads, subordinates and employees within and outside the Public Works Department, consultants, contractors, vendors and the general public.
• Ability to identify future needs and make recommendations relating to staff, facilities, vehicles and equipment, supplies, services and capital projects.
• Knowledge of…