GENERAL DESCRIPTION Under the general direction and supervision of the City Manager, the Public Works Director plans, directs, and coordinates the full range of duties associated with the Public Works Department, including the Shop, Streets, Water and Sewer, Wastewater Treatment, and Buildings divisions within the Department. The work involves a broad range of activities such as short and long-range planning, maintaining good public relations, providing infrastructure support, managing a budget, personnel administration, overseeing maintenance and capital improvement projects and coordinating City-wide competitive bidding for large procurements, including professional services, construction or management services, equipment, and capital improvement projects. The Public Works Director serves as the City’s Harbor Master. The position includes daily contact with the public and outside agencies, frequently requiring tactful resolution of controversial situations and citizen complaints.
Salary: $112,736-$157,830
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Manage and lead all functions, operations, and personnel within the Public Works Department, including the Shop, Streets, Water and Sewer, Wastewater Treatment, and Buildings divisions.
2. Develop and direct the implementation of departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommend and administer policies and procedures and ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
3. Prepare an annual budget request for operation and monitor the expenditures of Department funds to ensure compliance with the adopted budget, grant funds, and City policy.
4. Select, train, supervise, evaluate and schedule the work of employees in accordance with City personnel policies. Investigate and respond to complaints regarding employee conduct and participate in progressive discipline as necessary. Meet regularly with subordinate supervisors to give assignments; advise employees on policy changes and coming events.
5. Prepare, review, and approve department policies, reports, and correspondence related to Public Works services, including grants, budgets, personnel documents, permits, standard operating procedures, state/federal reports, and safety programs. Administer grant funds and meet grant reporting requirements.
6. Review and approve bid and proposal documents for maintenance and capital improvement projects, including engineered designs, specifications, and bid documents in accordance with accepted procurement process procedures, laws, and regulations; review engineering and architectural plans and specifications for compliance with codes, regulations, and City requirements to maintain quality and integrity of the Department and to assure projects are being completed in a thorough and timely manner.
7. Coordinate City-wide competitive bidding for large procurements, including professional services, construction or management services, equipment, and capital improvement projects, including development, implementation, and management of procurement strategy, policy, and requirements for engineering, design, and construction services and equipment purchases to provide support to City departments and to meet the City’s procurement goals.
8. Oversee the public records system related to all departmental activities in compliance with City Codes, the requirements of funding agencies, and industry standards.
9. Review and issue excavation permits.
10. Obtain any appropriate permits for operation of utilities and stay abreast of regulatory environment regarding same. Obtain environmental and regulatory permits related to City projects and maintenance facilities.
11. Serve as the City of Kenai’s Harbor Master, including overseeing fuel dispensing facilities and subcontractors, preparing recommendations on dock facility utilization, leases, rate schedules, and obtaining permits for operation of dock facility and staying abreast of regulatory environment regarding same. Act as staff liaison to the Harbor Commission, including attending Commission meetings and work sessions.
12. Serve as the City of Kenai’s Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator and Safety Coordinator, including management and implementation of the City’s Health and Safety Plan in accordance with OSHA and other legal requirements, City policies, and equipment.
13. Act as the project manager on capital improvement projects as assigned by the City Manager; ensure compliance with federal and state statutes and City regulations; perform field inspections and documentation of projects; review pay estimates, change orders, project acceptance, liquidated damages, and warranty work; ensure compliance and provide reports per grant award conditions.
14. Represent the Public Works Department to other departments, elected officials, outside agencies, and the general public; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations. Exhibit high standards of integrity and ethics and a neutral and businesslike demeanor.
15. Attend City Council meetings and work sessions as requested by City Manager, often at hours outside the normal work hours of the City.
16. Attend and participate in professional training and attend conferences and meetings to keep current with respect to new trends and developments in the field public works.
17. Perform job duties with minimal or no supervision.
18. Have regular, reliable, and predictable attendance at work.
19. Perform other duties as assigned by the City Manager.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, construction management or a related field or eight (8) years of experience in engineering, construction management, and/or public works/utilities
2. Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, construction management, and/or public works/utilities involving a variety of assignments associated with construction projects.
3. Possess or obtain a valid Alaska driver’s license within thirty (30) days of employment and prior to operating a City vehicle. Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request.
4. At least one (1) year supervisory experience.
5. The employee must be available to work varying schedules, including weekend days and evenings, City holidays, and shift extensions; the schedule may vary seasonally and the employee may be asked to respond to emergency call outs when available.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, construction management or a related field.
2. Experience with local, state, and/or federal regulations and laws, including experience in administering projects funded by federal and state grant monies.
3. Experience in working in a dynamic, multi-tasking office environment with a demonstrated ability to prioritize a number of duties with sometimes inflexible deadlines.
4. Possess a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT The work environment is typically in an indoor office setting and in public meeting rooms, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated, although the employee must sometimes perform work in unsanitary or in hazardous conditions. The employee also has work duties which require fieldwork and outdoor inspections and travel to and work in other public office buildings. The employee must be able to complete work in all kinds of weather (e.g., high temp., low temp., winds, snow, ice, fog, direct sunlight) and sometimes on surfaces at, above, or below floor level. Duties are occasionally performed outdoors in a varied working environment, typically during day but occasionally in darkness, and sometimes in inclement weather and in extreme temperatures. The employee is required to drive a vehicle and perform work inside a vehicle, including operating radios and cell phones. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers dexterously to operate office equipment including telephones, radios, photocopiers, computers, and keyboards; communicate orally in person and on the telephone and radio; sit for extended periods of time; and, stand, walk, stoop, crouch and reach with hands and arms, and get in and out of vehicles. The employee must occasionally exert up to 40 pounds of force and is frequently required to drive or walk to other City buildings. Specific vision requirements include close, distance and peripheral vision, the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships. The employee must be able to hear and to talk and to communicate verbally in-person as well as on a telephone and radio.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
The City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.
**RELOCATION ASSISTANCE available for exceptionally qualified candidates.