JOB TITLE: Public Works Director

AGENCY: City of El Monte

LOCATION: El Monte, CA

FILING DEADLINE: Open until filled

SALARY RANGE: $167,834.98 - $203,998.58

THE POSITION

Reporting to the City Manager, this position directs, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Public Works and Utilities Department including engineering, maintenance, transportation operations, short and long-term planning, environmental and utility divisions. This includes formulating departmental policies, goals, and directives, coordinating assigned activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public, and fostering cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental, regulatory agencies, and various public and private groups, and staff.

Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, City functions and activities, including the role of the City Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, budget, and for furthering City goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.

Duties and responsibilities include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the department’s budget.

• Select, train, motivate, and direct department personnel.

• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures.

• Monitor legal, regulatory, technology and societal changes and court decisions that may affect the work of the department; determine equipment acquisition, training programs and procedural changes to ensure retention of qualified staff and the provision of services to the community in an effective, efficient and economical manner.

• Oversee the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes.

• Perform site inspections during construction to ensure all City and mandated safety rules, regulations and protocols are in compliance.

• Participate in and makes presentations to the City Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions.

• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public works and utilities.

• Prepare, review, and present staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager.

• Respond to public inquiries and complaints and assist with resolutions and alternative recommendations to ensure excellent customer service.

• Serve as a spokesperson for the department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a confident, strategic, and visionary leader and effective communicator with broad experience in all areas of public works, possessing extensive expertise managing staff and creating organizational structure and a sense of team and purpose. Water Utilities experience will be ideal. As the Director interacts with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, exceptional interpersonal skills and political acumen are of the utmost importance. The successful candidate will have a proven track record creating efficiencies, implementing best practices, and removing unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles, while establishing clear procedures and policies, both written and verbally. A background effectively engaging with labor unions and ensuring positive outcomes is critical. The ideal candidate will possess a passion for public service, especially serving an underserved community; an entrepreneur from within who recognizes this opportunity to create and establish an effective and efficient administrative infrastructure for long-term success.

Key characteristics and attributes:

• A supportive leader who creates a cohesive structure and team-oriented working environment.

• An inclusive and positive management style that ensures accountability, responsibility, and encourages discussion and ideas from staff and key stakeholders.

• Good organizational skills with a transparent style of leadership; outward facing and willing to use the City website to promote projects, engage with the community, and be approachable.

• Flexible. Able to provide clear goals and expectations, while remaining agile and can adapt to changing priorities.

• The ability to effectively communicate with staff. Remove roadblocks and be willing to allow for project ownership, employee development, and a sense of pride. Able to attract and retain a solid, high performing workforce.

• Stays current in new technologies and legislation.

• Effective at community engagement and follow through. A listener.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field.

• Seven (7) years of experience in civil engineering, municipal public works maintenance, utilities, and administration.

• Five (5) years management experience.

ABOUT THE CITY OF EL MONTE

The City of El Monte is the hub of the San Gabriel Valley, located approximately 12 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, where two major freeways, Interstate 10 and 605, intersect. El Monte offers its residents a mix of housing, employment, and community amenities. With an area of 9.6 square miles and a population of approximately 115,000, El Monte is characterized by an ethnically diverse and dynamic population, which is nearly 70 percent Hispanic and 25 percent Asian. The community’s residents share a growing pride and awareness that El Monte is a great place to live, work, and play. Over its history, the City has established an extensive portfolio of community assets. This includes an emerald necklace of rivers, quality neighborhoods, equestrian areas, and a historic downtown featuring a vibrant community center.

For more details about this opportunity, please visit the job brochure at: https://koffassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/El-Monte-PWUD.pdf

To be considered, please electronically submit your resume, cover letter and a list of five professional references (references will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/elmonte-pwud. Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held, as well as size of staff and budgets you have managed.

For additional information, please contact:

Frank Rojas

(510) 495-0448

Frank_Rojas@ajg.com

Website: https://koffassociates.com/

City of El Monte

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