NATURE OF WORK:
Directs and oversees activities of the Public Works Department, which includes planning, organizing, and controlling all activities, operations, and maintenance of water treatment, transmission and distribution systems; wastewater treatment and collection systems; solid waste collection, streets, roads, sewers, and storm drainage facilities. Determines short-term and long-range needs and develops operations and maintenance plans and budgets. Assures the efficient and economical use of resources for the department, including budgeted funds, grant funds, personnel, and facilities; short-term and long-range objectives. Work is performed under the administration and direction of the City Manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Plans, organizes, controls, integrates and evaluates the work of the Public Works Department; develops, implements and monitors long-term plans, goals, and objectives focused on achieving the City's mission and Council priorities; directs the development of and monitors performance against the annual department budget; manages and directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of plans, policies, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives, and work standards.
Researches and recommends to the City Manager programs for public works and utility maintenance and operation, consistent with public health and safety. Prepare requests for state and federal financial assistance for such programs, supply proper supporting materials, and maintain intergovernmental coordination.
Provides leadership and works with department staff to develop and retain highly competent customer service-oriented staff through selection, compensation, training, and day-to-day management practices that support the City's mission and values.
Analyzes trends to determine the adequacy of public facilities, current operations, and service rates to ensure funding for maintenance and repair of current municipal services systems, future capital improvement projects and to meet departmental expenditures. Develops and manages the departments' annual budget in cooperation with the Finance Director.
Monitor developments related to public works and utility matters and evaluates the impact on City operations, and implements policy and procedure improvements.
Develops specifications and bid documents for a variety of public works and public utilities related projects.
Reviews and advises on development plans and permits for work in City right-of-way's.
Oversees the preparation and administration of the multi-year capital improvement plan.
Responds to public inquiries, investigates and resolves complaints, or refers to appropriate individual or department for resolution.
Develops and maintains constructive relationships with City officials, property owners, developers, contractors, and the general public regarding public works programs and activities, to ensure that efforts are effectively directed toward achieving City goals.
Coordinates all mutual aid needs by networking and developing mutual aid contacts ensuring sufficient resources needed during emergencies are available.
Provides staff support to the City Council as needed on public works matters by preparation and analysis of reports. Schedules and assigns staff to meet project or program requirements.
Attends frequent staff and community meetings as required, often outside regular working hours.
Establishes suitable training for personnel through the creation and implementation of in-service and external training programs ensuring that properly trained personnel are performing the work required.
Conducts regular evaluations of employees in the Public Works Department and recommends personnel actions to the City Manager.
Ensures a system of departmental records and reports meet all state, federal, and local governmental regulations.
Ability to build a constructive team spirit where team members are committed to the goals and objectives of the organization rather than individual concerns.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
Knowledge of theory, principles, practices, and techniques of public works, traffic engineering, municipal water, and sewers engineering, and public works and utilities maintenance functions; applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing the administration of public works and public utilities functions and activities; principles and practices of public administration, including budgeting, purchasing and the maintenance of public records; organization and functions of an elected City Council; the City's personnel rules and policies; principles and practices of management and supervision. The ability to plan, direct, supervise, coordinate, organize, and inspect public works and engineering plans, programs, and activities is required.

The ability to plan, direct and integrate broad, comprehensive public works and utilities programs and activities; analyze engineering and maintenance issues and problems, evaluate alternative solutions and develop sound conclusions, recommendations and courses of action; present proposals and recommendations clearly and logically in public meetings; understand, interpret, explain and apply local, state and federal law and regulations governing public works and utilities services; evaluate management practices and adopt effective courses of action; develop clear, concise and comprehensive technical reports, correspondence and other written materials; exercise sound, expert independent judgment within general policy guidelines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with the City Council, officials, other governmental and regulatory officials, staff, private and community organizations, developers, contractors and other encountered in the course of work.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field; or any satisfactory combination of education, training, and experience, that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the above duties.
Requires four (4) years progressive supervisory experience in Public Works and/or Utilities.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Computer skills to perform essential daily job functions using Microsoft Word and Excel

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Any of the following License or Certifications are desirable: Dual licensed in Water and Wastewater, Class "C" Stormwater Operator License, M.O.T., NIMS Certified, and Trench Safety.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Tasks involve intermittent performance of physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, or crouching, and may involve lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

This position is a Disaster essential position and will be required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Highlands County.

City of Avon Park

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Public Works/Utilities Director