Public Works Director
Description
The City of Visalia is recruiting for Public Works Director. Please click here for the recruitment announcement.
THE DEPARTMENT
The City of Visalia's Public Works Department serves the Public and other City Departments by providing Solid Waste and Recycling Services, Streets Maintenance, Traffic Maintenance, Fleet Management, Wastewater Collection and Treatment, as well as Water Resources and Conservation efforts. With over 125 employees, the Public Works Department is one of the largest departments within the City. Each Division is responsible for the development and implementation of services provided to or for the Public. The Division’s staff is committed to customer service, safety, and providing high-quality services to other City Departments and the Public.
The Public Works Department has an operating budget of $52 million and is responsible for maintaining the City’s fleet of over 600 vehicles and equipment; collecting, disposing, and recycling of residential and commercial solid waste for over 38,000 residences and 3,000 businesses; maintaining and repairing city roadways; maintaining over 130 signaled intersections, maintaining over 525 miles of sanitary sewer, 250 miles of storm sewer and 30 miles of waterways, and implementing the Groundwater Sustainability Plan
Examples of Duties
THE POSITION
The City of Visalia is seeking a Public Works Director to function as a hands-on leader to develop, direct and participate in the implementation of goals, objectives, work standards and administrative policies for the Public Works Department. They will be responsible for the overall policy development, program planning, fiscal management, capital improvement and operational effectiveness of each division.
The selected Director will work closely with City Council, City Manager, City departments and a variety of public and private organizations in developing programs and implementing projects to solve problems related to public works issues. They will represent the City in meetings with public officials, other public agencies, and civic groups in order to coordinate, develop and implement projects and programs. In addition, the new Director will manage preparation of and personally prepare a variety of complex administrative and technical reports including reports to the City Manager and City Council.
The new Director will establish and monitor performance standards for the Department, evaluate work performance of staff, confer, and give guidance to division heads regarding matters affecting employer-employee relations, and provide for professional development of staff.
Along with evaluating and improving the operations of the Public Works Department to effectively manage costs, the new Director will implement comprehensive management of the city’s equipment and vehicle fleet, including police and fire vehicles, fire trucks, solid waste trucks and public works heavy equipment. They will be responsible for reliable and effective collection, treatment, and disposal of waste-water within the City of Visalia. The operation services more than 38,000 residential customers and over 3,000 business customers within the City of Visalia through an enterprise fund. The selected Director will be responsible for functions at the Water Reclamation Facility as well as collection and pretreatment and ensuring compliance with Federal and State regulations.
Qualifications / Requirements
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The new Public Works Director will have the vision and ability to effectively manage daily operations and establish long-range goals for the services provided by the Department. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership and management skills and be effective in dealing with personnel issues. The new Director must be flexible, creative, and able to manage a variety of projects. They will value customer service, have well developed interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to effectively work with elected officials, department heads, management staff, community members and staff, and should be a dynamic leader with the ability to mentor and build a team while representing the Public Works Department with the utmost integrity and honesty.
The ideal candidate will be someone seeking a meaningful career who is excited to be part of a team impacting quality of life elements in a thriving community. They will have management experience in municipal public works operations or comparable executive level experience involving program planning, development, and administration. A bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Civil Engineering, or related field is required and a master’s degree is desired.
The new Director will have proven written and verbal communications skills including the ability to make clear and concise presentations. They should be a strong leader, possessing the ability to continue building confidence in the organization and the Department, and must be a pro-active, progressive “out-of-the-box” thinker who can inspire those values in others. They should also be able to bridge departments and build teams including cultivating opportunities where departments work together for the betterment of the community. As a member of the department head team, the new Director will contribute to the overall development of the organization and actively participate in the mentoring, training, and other organizational functions.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skill and ability is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skill and abilities would be:
• Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Business Administration, Civil Engineering or other related field is required; a Master's Degree in related field is desired.
• Four years of senior supervisory and administrative experience in a major public works setting or related municipal setting which has included program planning, project management, personnel operations and administration.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California Driver's License.
• Active membership in American Public Works Association is desired.
Please click here for the detailed job description.
Additional Information
SELECTION PROCESS
Application and supplemental materials will be evaluated and applicants who appear to be most qualified will be invited to participate in a job related interview and/or examination process. Successful candidates may be required to pass a background, physical examination, and/or drug screen.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The City of Visalia offers a competitive total compensation package that includes:
Monthly Salary: $13,015 - $15,055
Monthly Vehicle Allowance of $425
CalPERS retirement program
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
Onsite City Health and Wellness Clinic (no out of pocket expenses)
Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Leave and much more...
Review the Benefits tab for more information.
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
If work-life balance is important to you, consider living in a thriving community that offers the most affordable housing in California with a typical commute time of less than 20 minutes. With a population of over 138,000, Visalia offers small town charm with metropolitan amenities. Visalia has a world class health care system, our own Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, a flourishing arts community, a minor league baseball team, a downtown convention center, and numerous fine dining establishments.
As the Tulare County seat, Visalia is the principal retail center in the region, and home to several large industrial employers. Visalia has a vibrant downtown district, safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, institutions for higher learning, and low cost of living. The City has many community parks, organized team sports, a municipal golf course and private country club, a multi-sport family-oriented regional sports park, and numerous outdoor and recreational activities.
Located in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley, Visalia offers easy access to the nearby mountains, national parks, lakes and rivers which provide year-round opportunities for sports and recreation within an hour or less. Visalia was ranked as the top Central Valley community and one of seven California cities in the top 25 of Gallup Sharecare's latest State of American Well Being Index. Our strong sense of community and social well-being keeps Visalians happy, healthy and moving forward. Come discover all Visalia has to offer!
The City of Visalia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.