Public Works Director

Position Overview: The Public Works Director, under the limited supervision of the County Administrator, is responsible for the administration and operation of the Public Works Department. The Public Works Director is responsible for managing tasks related to planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the construction and maintenance of County roads, bridges, culverts, storm water systems, and flood channels. Manages countywide solid waste program, airport, and weed control program. Assures compliance with various federal and state agency regulations related to environmental and safety operations. Responsibilities include: short and long-range planning, budgeting, supervision, coordination of activities and projects of all divisions, and administers and ensures compliance with contracts, grants, and agreements. 

• Serves as liaison to the public and various agencies as needed to establish and maintain effective public relations and develop cooperative solutions to common problems and goals; develops action plans for communication, advocacy, and defense of administrative policy.
• Coordinates departmental projects with agencies in order to expedite completion (i.e. school districts, cities, state highway department, USFS, etc.).
• Recruits, hires, disciplines, and dismisses department employees; assigns personnel and equipment to maintain scheduled operations; oversees the safety and training of personnel in the operation of equipment; establishes priorities for equipment repair and purchase.
• Oversees quality assurance through field inspections on County projects, contracted projects; apprises employees and contractors of performance standards; discusses procedural options as needed to solve problems; coordinates problem follow-up to ensure compliance.
• Oversees property acquisitions, secures right-of-ways and supervises the design, engineering, and construction of roads, bridges, drainage systems; analyzes projects and determines quantity and quality of materials necessary and orders the same; oversees departmental materials and equipment inventory control functions; and establishes bid specifications for competitive pricing and buying.
• Determines project priorities, establishes work schedules and deadlines; oversees record keeping of all performed work. Oversees hours worked by individual employees, time records for payroll, leave records, etc.
• Prepares and recommends to departmental budget; administers departmental budget and directs procedures to assure compliance with adopted budgets; assures all equipment purchases, requisitions, supplies, and materials conform to departmental needs and goals; monitors departmental auditing process.
• Directs and coordinates departmental risk management, assures proper insurance coverage for equipment, operators, passengers; assures proper coverage for liability, errors, and omissions; directs the departmental safety program.
• Coordinates and manages the departmental fleet maintenance program.
• Monitors federal funding programs; assures proper application for special grants and allocations related to departmental responsibilities; assures receipt of entitlements such as highway tax and other programs; assures compliance with terms and conditions of funding programs, contracts and grants; manages and maintains inter local contracts and agreements related to solid waste, weeds, roads, airport, etc.
• Supervises the County sign program in compliance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices standards and other applicable standards; supervises construction and work zone signing.
• Directs overall departmental public relations activities; responds to public complaints and inquiries, investigates, determines necessary repairs and estimates appropriate completion dates.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Public Administration, or a related field.

AND

Experience: Six years of general road construction experience, at least two of which have been in a position with supervisory responsibilities.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

License: A Valid Oregon Class A Commercial Driver’s License with a tanker endorsement and no restrictions is preferred.

Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge:
  • Blueprints, grades, machinery, materials, and methods on constructing roads, bridges, drainage systems, and culverts; solid waste regulations and procedures; etc.
  • Principles of leadership and worker motivation.
  • General accounting principles and practices; budget development and control programs.
  • Safety standards related to road and bridge construction; hazards common to heavy equipment operations
  • Equipment maintenance and repair standards
  • Engineering/Architectural design development procedures
  • Cost analysis and scheduling practices

• Engineering processes and procedures, principles and methods
• Civil engineering standards
• Modern construction methods, practices, materials, tools, and equipment
• Ability to learn and carry out Morrow County policies and procedures
• Use of Microsoft Office Programs, and other software programs

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; plan, organize, and direct the operations of a department engaged in a variety of construction projects related to road and bridge systems; visualize completed projects in planning stages and estimate end results; estimate quantity of materials accurately; develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, federal and state agencies, local governments, peers, supervisors, subordinates, and the public.