Director of Public Works

Salary: $204,032.71 - $260,403.19 Annually

Known to locals as the “Good Land,” the City of Goleta is a thriving community located on the south coast of Santa Barbara County, approximately 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles and just ten miles west of downtown Santa Barbara. The City stretches approximately eight square miles along a beautiful coastline, within a narrow coastal plain of exceptional natural beauty between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The current population of the City is 33,000 and the adopted General Plan allows for a build out population of approximately 38,000 by 2030.

Goleta exemplifies diversity and balance in areas such as: single-family homes and multi-family apartments; new start-ups and long-established and thriving businesses; quiet neighborhood streets and smooth flowing freeways; tree canopies and wide open spaces; organic farms and high technology manufacturing; a busy Old Town commercial district, shopping centers, and lively local farmers’ markets. Goleta is located adjacent to the University of California, Santa Barbara, which is home to six Nobel Prize winners and is one of the leading research universities in America.

The City of Goleta is a great place to live, work, and play!

About the Position

Under general direction of the City Manager, the Director of Public Works provides leadership and management of the Public Works Department; responsible for the planning, organization, and administration of Department projects and programs; provides professional and technical assistance to the City Manager, City Council and applicable Commissions and Advisory Committees; represents the Department in matters relating to private development, transportation, capital projects, parks and open space, street maintenance, engineering and environmental programs; oversees the performance of complex, advanced level engineering and project management for a variety of complex transportation and/or public works projects; interacts with other City departments, outside agencies, businesses, contractors and the public; serves as a member of the City's executive team and performs other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate for the Director of Public Works position will have local government management experience at management level or above, and strong analytical and written communication skills. They will have a solid ethical foundation and a good understanding of the Council-Manager form of government.

Note: A cover letter outlining your interest in the opportunity and how your experience, knowledge, and skills are relevant to the role must be included with your application.

The first round of interviews is tentatively scheduled for the week of September 9th.

Examples of Duties
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides professional leadership to the development of all Public Works programs.
• Makes recommendations to the City Council and other boards and commissions as necessary.
• Plans, develops, directs, manages, oversees and implements departmental policies, goals, objectives and priorities.
• Plans, directs, coordinates and organizes all public works activities.
• Interprets City regulations and codes and applicable laws and provides technical assistance to staff and commissions.
• Directs the acquisition, planning, construction, improvement and maintenance of all areas and facilities that are the responsibility of the department. Participates in the development and implementation of the Capital Improvement Program and Budget.
• Serves as technical advisor to the City Manager and City Council on public works matters; develops comprehensive recommendations for management use. Responds to and resolves citizen inquiries and complaints. Meets with the public in small and large groups to discuss City public works policies, practices and problems.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures to improve the efficiency of the organization and achieve objectives of the Department; interprets, explains and assures compliance with policies, rules and procedures.
• Supervises and participates in the preparation and administration of the department budget. Coordinates public works activities with other City departments and with outside agencies. Actively participates in the City disaster response program.
• Participates in labor relations activities. Selects, supervises, trains and evaluates professional, technical and clerical subordinates.
• Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to address deficiencies and implement discipline procedures.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
Education, Experience and Training

• Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering.

Experience:

• A minimum of ten years of experience in public works engineering and construction management, including contract administration, plan review, coordination of funding sources experience, with at least three years of lead supervisory and project management responsibility.

Knowledge and Abilities

Comprehensive Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of Civil Engineering;
• Pertinent Federal, State and Local laws, codes, and regulations;
• Advanced principles and practices of project management;
• Modern methods, materials and techniques used in the design and construction of a wide variety of public works and capital improvements projects;
• Principles of budget preparation and administration;
• Preparation of grant reimbursement requests, particularly state and regional transportation funding procedures;
• CEQA and NEPA environmental review processes associated with the approval of public works projects;
• Principles and practices of effective management and supervision, safe working conditions, and training;
• Computer use, including word processing, data base management, spreadsheets, graphics, GIS and computer aided drafting;
• Principles of cost estimating and contract administration.

Ability to:

• Manage and provide leadership;
• Effectively plan and direct the work of a professional and technical level staff and/or private contractors;
• Conduct comprehensive engineering studies, prepare complex reports and make recommendations on major projects;
• Analyze complex engineering problems and use sound engineering judgment in their resolution;
• Confer extensively and effectively with various governmental agencies, private consultants, land developers, other firms and the general public;
• Render decisions under controversial conditions and those involving considerable public interest based upon established policy, legal or engineering standards;
• Prepare presentations and speak to the governing or advisory bodies and the general public;
• Understand and interpret engineering construction plans, specifications and other contract documents;
• Ensure project compliance with Federal, State and local rules, laws and regulations;
• Prepare and monitor department budgets;
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; understand and carry out verbal and written instructions;
• Operate and utilize computers; type and input data into computer terminal utilizing programs for word processing, data base management, spreadsheets, graphics, computer aided drafting and GIS applications;
• Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices;
• Establish and maintain positive relationships which allow open dialogue and effective representation of any City issues with City officials, employees, regulatory agencies, businesses, contractors and the public.
• Supplemental Information

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid Class "C" California driver's license with a satisfactory driving record; Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California.