Public Works Director - City of La Marque

Position Summary

This position is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and coordinating the operations of the Public Works Department, to possibly include sanitation, parks, streets, drainage, traffic, service center, storm water program, recycling, water and sewer operations of the city's potable water supply and treatment, and capital improvements to these related areas of the City's buildings and Infrastructure. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment and discretion in interpreting, applying, and enforcing laws, regulations, ordinances, and policies applicable to the related Public Works programs and activities; Additionally, this position participates in the development of policies and long-range plans for all Public Works programs and activities.

Provides direction and coordination to technical, operation, and other support personnel through subordinate supervisors; and conducts considerable coordination with other City departments, other governmental agencies, and the public. Assignments involve responsibility for final decision and results in all technical and operational matters, reviewing divisional requests, and preparing the annual budget for related divisions. This employee ensures the installation, clarification, and execution of the programs related to the assigned divisions. The employee's work is reviewed through conferences, reports, and effectiveness of operations.

Essential Job Functions

• Adhere to all City policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook, in particular:
  • Attendance Policy
  • All Safety Policies and Procedures
  • Appropriate business casual attire for office personnel unless protective gear is necessary for fieldwork/inspections.
• Provides direction and coordination to technical, operational, and other support personnel through subordinate supervisors;
• Coordinates departmental work activities with other City departments, governmental agencies, and the public;
• Prepares the annual budget for all Public Works divisions;
• Monitors expenditure of funds within approved limitations throughout the fiscal year; recommends capital improvement projects and their funding mechanisms;
• Ensures adherence to established policies, procedures, and standards;
• Supervises all administrative matters in the Public Works Department, including budget and grant proposal preparation and administration, scheduling and personnel matters;
• Develops and prepares various reports, studies, correspondence, and other data pertaining to departmental operations, and submits such reports, studies, correspondence, etc., as required by
• federal, State or local regulations, or as requested by City manager and/or City Council, or as otherwise deemed appropriate;
• Coordinates the preparation of engineering plans and specifications for construction projects undertaken by the Department; reviews and approves engineering plans and specifications;
• Coordinates efforts and works closely with local, county, regional, state, federal agencies/entities for strategic planning purposes;
• Plans and directs development and communication of information designed to keep City Manager, Council, and the community informed of projects and services of the department;
• Makes presentations before various regional and local boards, commissions, civic and community groups to promote regional public works and infrastructure improvements;
• Attends seminars, conferences, workshops, etc., to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the field of public works administration;
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with professionals in the public works and civil engineering fields, conferring and exchanging information with such individuals as appropriate;
• Be integral part of emergency management and recovery needs in a leadership capacity;
• Performs other work as required/assigned.

Education, Training, and Experience

• College degree in public administration, communication, organizational development, urban planning or related field preferred, plus five years progressively responsible experience in public policy processes, program implementation, and work with elected officials required.
• Knowledge of public finance, budget theory, practice and policy, capital projects and the impact of utilities on community development is desirable.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of municipal public works experience, including 3 years of responsible supervisory experience; alternately,
• An equivalent combination of training and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities;
• Possession of a valid driver license issued by the State of Texas;
• Possession of Class B Wastewater Treatment license issued by the State of Texas; and,
• Possession of Class B Groundwater license issued by the State of Texas;
• Considerable knowledge of the occupational hazards and proper safety precautions of public works construction and maintenance work;
• Thorough knowledge of ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional standards and/or federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations;
• Comprehensive knowledge of the financing sources and programs available through state and federal funding agencies for construction of public works and infrastructure systems, and of the requirements and standards for obtaining and retaining state and federally funded programs;
• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in dealings with public officials; developers, contractors, and the public; and establish and maintain effective working relationship as necessitated by work assignments.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CLASSIFICATION: TIER 1- Essential: Employees with specific responsibilities that remain in the City on the job alternatively, at a designated location during an emergency.