Public Works Director

Public Works Director

This is an executive management position performing administrative, operational, and strategic leadership functions for and reporting to the Board of County Commissioners. The Public Works Director serves as the administrative department head managing, directing, and coordinating assigned Public Works functions, including Solid Waste, Utilities, Parks, Public Works Engineering, Facilities, Project Manager functions, and other related programs or staff assigned by the Board.

The position assists in the administration of the County's involvement with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local agencies in the development of plans, programs, grants, contracts, and services for assigned Public Works functions. The position is expected to coordinate across departments, support Board adopted priorities, provide timely and accurate information for decision-making, and seek countywide solutions whenever practical. As a key management position, the Public Works Director may be required to work outside regular business hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, as needed to respond to situations and emergencies.

ORGANIZATIONAL SCOPE The Public Works Director may coordinate with the Roads Department and County Road Engineer on shared projects, budgets, emergency response, permitting, facilities, utilities, grants, interdepartmental issues, and public communication. Such coordination does not alter the separate reporting, professional, or statutory responsibilities assigned to the Roads Department or County Road Engineer.

1. Supervises assigned Public Works employees and managers; prioritizes, assigns and monitors work; evaluates performance; recommends and implements decisions regarding employee selection and discipline; ensures resources are available for operations; works with employees to improve performance; and provides or coordinates staff training.

2. Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates assigned Public Works activities, including sanitary sewer systems, water systems, solid waste systems, parks, county facilities, non-road capital projects, and other assigned public works programs.

3. Provides executive-level direction and coordination for the Public Works column of the adopted organizational chart, including Solid Waste, Utilities, Parks, Public Works Engineering, Facilities, Project Manager functions, and other related functions assigned by the Board.

4. Develops, prepares, reviews, and administers contracts, interlocal agreements, consultant agreements, grants, leases, service agreements, and other agreements with outside agencies, vendors, consultants, contractors, and other governmental agencies.

5. Oversees preparation and administration of assigned budgets, capital improvement plans, rate studies, fee schedules, financial analysis documents, and related fiscal materials; reviews and recommends adjustments to rates, charges, assessments, and funding strategies for assigned Public Works activities.

6. Serves as a key advisor to the Board of County Commissioners on assigned Public Works matters, including utilities, solid waste, parks, facilities, capital projects, non-road public works engineering, regulatory compliance, service levels, operational risks, and long-range needs.

7. Handles or directs timely response to citizen requests and complaints, inquiries, vendor concerns, consultant negotiations, public records coordination, and customer-service issues related to assigned Public Works functions.

8. Ensures coordination and cooperation of assigned Public Works divisions with other County departments, elected offices, cities, citizen groups, tribes, state and local agencies, and regional partners in meeting mutual responsibilities.

9. Coordinates planning needs, studies, design requirements, environmental review, permitting, grant applications, and federal and state funding applications for assigned Public Works systems, projects, and facilities.

10. Prepares and presents clear reports, agenda items, briefings, policy options, and recommendations on program performance, service needs, capital needs, demographic information, operational risks, and regulatory compliance.

11. Provides direction for assigned Public Works functions according to federal and state law, County policies, Board-adopted priorities, budget authority, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable rules and regulations.

12. Develops and implements short- and long-range strategic plans for assigned Public Works programs; recommends organizational improvements, staffing plans, service models, policies, procedures, and capital priorities.

13. Provides leadership during emergencies and service disruptions involving assigned Public Works functions and coordinates with Emergency Management, Roads, Public Health, law enforcement, utilities, contractors, and other response partners as appropriate.

14. Maintains effective working relationships with employees, unions, elected officials, other…