Description
The City of Davis is looking for an experienced municipal professional, to serve as our Assistant Director of Public Works over utilities and operations. This position will directly oversee the divisions of Water, Wastewater/Collections, Operations (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities, Electrical), and Urban Forestry.
This position will also have an opportunity to engage in advancing a number of major capital improvement projects within the department to improve system reliability, reduce disruptions, and optimize lifecycle investment. The ideal candidate for this position has experience managing large teams, and the knowledge to communicate with fellow staff, elected officials and members of the public about operations and programs within their assigned areas.
This is an At-Will, FLSA-Exempt, Executive Management position.
DEFINITION
To provide complex professional managerial assistance to the Public Works Director in the development and administration of City programs, and implementation through subordinate staff; to provide professional and technical support relative to assigned area of responsibility; and to represent the Public Works Director as required or assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This classification is an executive management position responsible for setting the policy and direction of multiple divisions. The position performs work that is highly complex and includes responsibility for oversight of multiple divisions as well as Department strategic planning and goal setting. The position is distinguished from other Public Works management classifications by its level and degree of responsibility for broad oversight of multiple divisions and level of responsibility assumed in the Department Head’s absence.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Public Works Director.
Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, maintenance and clerical staff.
Examples of Duties
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide responsible professional and technical assistance in the development, administration and implementation of assigned department programs.
- Research, analyze and make recommendations regarding major technical and administrative problems; research and prepare reports recommending the improvement of services, changes in the organization design and measures to improve efficiency of operations.
- Assist other department staff with interpretation of city/department rules and regulations and resolve questions and problems.
- Participate, oversee, plan, supervise, coordinate and administer activities in multiple divisions in Public Works.
- Work closely with the department director in obtaining information and developing recommendations on management problems and programs.
- Confer with department staff, other public officials, consultants and citizens in the accomplishment of program objectives.
- Prepare and administer division budgets.
- Assist in formulating and monitoring a departmental budget, including authorization of expenditures, administration of contracts and administration and monitoring of project grants.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate staff; work with employees to correct performance; implement discipline procedures.
- Develop and implement goals, policies, procedures and priorities.
- Interpret and apply relevant codes, ordinances, rules and regulations.
- Check plans for accuracy, suitability, completeness and make recommendations for revision and improvement.
- Review specifications for contents and accuracy.
- Develop and/or manage all programs within the division(s).
- Identify and implement special studies relative to assigned area of responsibility; prepare appropriate reports and analyses.
- Manage and/or participate in various selection processes.
- Assist in the development of new program elements and program modifications as necessary to meet stated goals and objectives.
- Monitor and coordinate daily operation of assigned program areas; perform administrative detail work; maintain appropriate record and statistics.
- Research, analyze and make recommendations regarding major technical and administrative problems; research and prepare reports recommending the improvement of services, changes in organization design and measures to improve efficiency of operations.
- Conduct studies and analyses in the maintenance and review of internal administrative operations such as organization planning, administrative policy and management development programs.
- Confer with department staff, other public officials, consultants and citizens in the accomplishment of program objectives.
- Explain department policies and procedures to the public.
- Attend meetings of the City Council, commissions, committees and other groups as assigned.
- Prepare correspondence, reports and conduct management studies.
- Represent the department in various meetings.
- Represent the department to outside agencies and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other city employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Typical Qualifications
Knowledge Of
- Operating policies and procedures of a public works department.
- Principles, practices and techniques of assigned programmatic areas of responsibility.
- Recent developments, current literature and information sources on a variety of public work related issues.
- Methods and techniques used in the design, construction operation, maintenance and repair of public works projects and infrastructure.
- Preventative maintenance procedures for infrastructure.
- Research methods and techniques including statistical analysis and techniques.
- Municipal public work principles, issues and services.
- Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
- Principles and practices of project management, analytical processes, and report preparation techniques.
- Principles of organization, administration, budget and personnel management.
- Work safety principles, practices and procedures.
- Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
- Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
- Modern office procedures, and computer equipment and software relevant to the position.
Ability To
- On a continuous basis, analyze budget and technical reports; interpret and evaluate staff reports; know laws, regulations and codes; observe performance and evaluate staff; problem solve department related issues; remember various rules, policies and procedures; explain and interpret policy.
- Plan the work of professional and technical staff in compilation of technical and statistical data, research and the preparation of plans and technical papers.
- Interpret and explain applicable codes, ordinances and regulations related to operation and maintenance of city facilities and infrastructure.
- Perform a wide variety of major duties simultaneously on behalf of the department head or similar level administrator with no or minimal supervision.
- Organize, implement and direct multiple programs, activities, and projects.
- Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies or methods.
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
- Prepare and administer budget.
- Prepare clear and effective financial, statistical, and narrative reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written material.
- Supervise, train and evaluate personnel.
- Administer and enforce various industrial safety regulations.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Demonstrate tact and diplomacy with the public and others.
- Use computer as needed for project management, recordkeeping, statistical analysis, communication and documentation.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Experience and Training
Experience
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:
Six (6) years of increasingly responsible managerial, operational and analytical experience in a municipal public works department or a related field, of which three (3) years should be in a management or supervisory capacity.
Training
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, construction technology or management, business or public administration, or a related field.
License or Certificates
Certificates as a Water Treatment Operator, Water Distribution Operator and Wastewater Treatment Operator are desirable when assigned to oversee utilities and operations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; ability to visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Evening and weekend work will be required as job duties demand.
CITY OF DAVIS
Benefit Summary Sheet
Individual General Management
Leave Time
- 15 to 28 days of Vacation per year to start (increases with years of service)
- Up to 5 years of vacation accrual rate service credit for verified years of previous public service
- 10 days of Management Leave per fiscal year (pro-rated for new hires)
- 2 Floating Holidays per fiscal year (pro-rated for new hires)
- Vacation cash out options available
- 13 paid Holidays
- Sick Leave: Accrual of 8 hours per month / 12 days per year.
- Parental Leave - 2 Months Paid Parental Leave Available After 1 Year of Employment.
Health Dental and Vision
- 125 Cafeteria Plan.
- The monthly City contribution for Medical insurance for 2026 is $2,391.71
- The city contributes the premium for the family rate of the City’s self-funded dental plan
- 2026 monthly premium for family is $210.00
- Up to $500 Cash-in-lieu Per Month if Opting Out of Medical & Dental
- Option to purchase Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
- 100k Employer Paid
- Voluntary/Supplemental Coverage Available for Purchase
- The new hire guarantee issue amount is $200,000
Retirement
- CalPERS Pension
- 2.5% at 55 for Classic CalPERS Members
- 2% at 62 for PEPRA Members (membership date of 1/1/2013 or later)
- The City participates in Medicare (1.45% employee deduction).
- The City does not participate in Social Security
- Survivor Benefit
- The city contracts with the Public Employees Retirement System for the 1959 Survivor Benefit Level Four (4).
Other Benefits
- Longevity Pay
- 2.5% at 10 years of service
- 2.5% at 20 years of service for a maximum of 5%.
- Retiree Health Contribution
- Medical and Dependent Care Flexible spending accounts available
- City paid long term disability program
- Access to purchase supplemental benefits including short term disability insurance, accident insurance, and additional life insurance products, etc.
- 457 Deferred Compensation plans available, including Roth options
- City paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Bicycle and Computer Loan Programs Available (upon successful completion of probation)
- Cellphone Stipend available (up to $65/month)
Individual Management MOU
- MOU - Individual General Management 01.2025 - 06.2028
