The City of Watsonville is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as the Public Works and Utilities Department Director. An ideal Public Works and Utility Director is a technically skilled, dynamic, and visionary leader who will support the construction of reliable infrastructure while strategically planning for the community’s future. They possess strong engineering and operational knowledge of water, wastewater, transportation, and stormwater systems, paired with financial discipline to manage budgets, capital improvement plans, and sustainable rate structures. Watsonville values transparency and ethical decision-making, strong and clear communication with residents and elected officials, and the ability to balance regulatory compliance with affordability and service excellence. They build and support high performing teams, prioritize safety and preventative maintenance, and remain calm and decisive during emergencies. Our community seeks a director who is a community-centered problem solver and who leads with integrity, innovation, and a long-term commitment to protecting public health and enhancing quality of life
JOB SUMMARY: To plan, organize, coordinate and direct the functions of the City's Public Works and Utilities Department and to direct the planning, funding, design, inspection, and contract administration for the City's Capital Improvement Projects; to direct the operation of the water treatment and water systems, wastewater treatment and water recycling, wastewater and stormwater collection systems; solid waste collection, recycling and landfill operations; facilities, street, vehicle and equipment maintenance; the Watsonville Airport; and engineering and construction management services. To direct programs and services to meet local, State and Federal safety, environmental and resource protection and pollution prevention goals and mandates.
Duties may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following:
- Plans, organizes, coordinates and directs through subordinate managers the City's Public Works and Utilities (PW&U) Department functions including engineering, water, wastewater, water recycling, solid waste, recycling, landfill operations, airport operations, central office services and street and building maintenance.
- Manages Public Works engineering; evaluates and approves engineering projects.
- Acts or delegates the role of City Engineer to other departmental management staff.
- Directs traffic engineering projects; checks and inspects maps and plans related to development; administers encroachment permit program and other technical engineering-related functions.
- Oversees the preparation of plans, specifications, and bid proposals for PW&U projects and monitors contracts.
- Performs long-range planning for Capital Improvement Projects and coordinates financing.
- Develops and coordinates the PW&U budgets, monitors, and coordinates expenditures.
- Analyzes complex PW&U issues and problems; evaluates alternatives; and develops and implements effective courses of action.
- Ensures that all safety regulations are communicated and followed.
- Reviews and recommends appropriate adjustment to utility rates and rate schedules, based upon utility operation and construction needs.
- Provides technical advice and consultation to the City Manager and City Council on PW&U issues.
- Makes presentations and serves on a variety of committees to work with regulatory agencies, the public, elected officials, and other agencies, including agenda items and resolutions.
- Prepares and/or approves a variety of technical studies, reports, and correspondence.
- Investigates and responds to complex complaints and requests from the public and others regarding public works facilities and activities.
- Oversees the selection of staff; provides for their training and development; reviews and approves performance appraisals; makes recommendations for disciplinary actions, wage and salary actions, promotions, and related employment actions.
- Confers with Utilities and PW Managers to review current and proposed projects, work schedules, organization, and personnel problems.
- Evaluates, formulates, and implements departmental operating policies and procedures.
- Interprets and implements policies and procedures established by regulatory agencies.
- Represents the City PW&U Department in meetings with community organizations, the public, private organizations, businesses, boards, commissions, and other government agencies.
- Ensures the effective utilization of equipment, material, and other resources of the department through review of records and related analysis.
- May serve as Acting City Manager in the absence of the City Manager and Assistant City Manager.
- Represents the City as liaison to the Environmental Protection Agency, the State Water Resource Control Board, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and other regulatory agencies in negotiating and establishing permit conditions and compliance.
- Ensures that the City complies with all current water, wastewater, solid waste, engineering, traffic, fleet management, airport, and landfill requirements established by regional, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
- Performs related duties and other management functions as required or assigned by the CM.
Employment Standards
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of the management of a large and diverse organization, including organization and management of work, effective supervisory practices, staff development, and personnel administration.
Principles and practices of civil, traffic, water, wastewater, solid waste, and landfill engineering, including the design, specification, and estimating of projects related to municipal utilities and PW.
Federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances affecting municipal utility operation and PW operations and facilities.
Applicable City policies, procedures, and memoranda of understanding related to maintenance and construction, budgeting, finance, and personnel.
Methods and techniques of grant and budget development and management.
Ability to:
Plan, organize, coordinate and manage a large and diverse department, including providing for supervision, training and development, and appraisal of staff.
Formulate, evaluate, and make recommendations on policies and procedures affecting the provision of public works and municipal utility services.
Prepare effective technical reports and correspondence.
Make effective presentations to elected officials, the public, city executives, businesses, and other agencies.
Prepare and manage a large budget, including capital improvement financing and consultant/contractor contract management.
Oversee grant applications and implementation of grant-funded projects.
Evaluate and make recommendations for the implementation of new technologies and strategies to conserve water, landfill capacity, and prevent stormwater and air pollution.
Review and evaluate technical engineering and maintenance information, reports, and recommendations.
Effectively and tactfully communicate in both oral and written forms.
Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
EDUCATION/TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training: - BA/BS degree in civil and sanitary engineering, science, public administration, or a closely related field.
- A Master’s degree is highly desired.
Experience: - Eight years of increasingly responsible experience in public works projects, water, wastewater, and/or solid waste facility design, construction, and operations, including at least five years in a management or supervisory capacity.
License and Certification - Possession at the time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Driver’s license and safe driving record.
- A valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State Board of Registration of Civil Engineers is desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
- Sit at the desk and in meetings for long periods of time continuously.
- Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding the desk, and perform simple grasping and fine manipulation
- Use a telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means
- See adequately to read text, correspondence, and fine print
- Work indoors using near vision for prolonged periods
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
- Occasionally bend, stoop, reach, twist, and kneel
