Public Works Director

Public Works Director

The City of Paramount is looking for a highly skilled individual with extensive local government public works experience to take on this role. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the highest level of integrity and a genuine commitment to collaboration and delivering project-based results. They will be an approachable leader who is responsive to organizational needs and known for being open, humble, honest, respected, and trusted in all internal and external interactions.

Exceptional communication skills—both written and verbal—are essential. The ideal candidate will be energetic, kind, appropriately confident, and an effective leader with a demonstrated history of solid leadership and project management experience, with an ability to deliver projects on schedule. They should demonstrate strong strategic planning abilities to guide long term infrastructure investment and experience overseeing capital improvement programs. They should have the ability to effectively lead diverse teams, including field operations and administrative staff as well as a vision of modernizing systems to improve efficiency. Having a customer service mindset that emphasizes responsiveness and transparency as well as creative problem solving skills is a must. Lastly, the ideal candidate must excel at collaborating across City departments and with external stakeholders to advance both the short- and long-term goals of the City and Public Works Department.

A 4% COLA salary increase is expected to take effect in July 2026.

Examples Of Duties

Under the direction of the City Manager, the Public Works Director will:

• Assumes full responsibility for managing all activities and services of the Public Works Department.
• Direct over 70 staff members and resources; develop, administer, and evaluate projects and procedures to meet organizational needs and ensure smooth and efficient activities.
• Provide technical input and advice to the City Manager and City Council on assigned subject matter areas; propose strategies and programs to address challenges.
• Review, consider, and/or initiate various types of project proposals, agreements and recommendations; negotiate, draft, update and monitor agreements; communicate with City staff, attorneys and external agents needed to ensure legal and administrative compliance; participate in the preparation and administration of adopted plans and ordinances as required.
• Manage the field operations of its municipal water system, ensuring compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.
• Direct the preparation and administration of department budgets' direct and approve various personnel actions, including selection, promotion, performance evaluations and disciplinary actions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Upcoming projects and opportunities include:

• Arterial Streets Rehabilitation Project
• Neighborhood Streets Rehabilitation Project
• Median Enhancements Citywide
• West Santa Ana Branch Bikeway Trail
• Spane Park Stormwater Infiltration Project
• Madison Street Stormwater Project
• Paramount Park Community Center Expansion

Minimum Qualifications

Education and experience:

Experience:

Five (5) years of public sector managerial experience, including responsibility for developing, directing and supervising the staff and activities of a major program or operation focused on municipal public works or a related area. Experience in multiple program areas is desirable.

Training:

Bachelor's degree with major course work in public administration, business administration, construction management, engineering, or a related field. A master's degree in a similar field is highly desirable.

License or Certificate:

Valid Class C California Driver License and acceptable driving record.

Knowledge of:

• Hands on leadership style to lead by example and foster teamwork.
• Embody the principles of servant leadership, strengthening the department's culture, motivating staff and maintaining high employee morale, while effectively managing competing priorities.
• Advanced principles and practices of employee supervision and training, including effective staff selection, motivation, direction, mentoring and performance evaluation.
• Methods for organizing, developing, implementing and directing departmental programs, projects, functions, services, goals, objectives, systems and activities.
• Terminology, concepts, methods and procedures associated with the management of assigned departments and programs.
• Public speaking and public relations techniques.

Skill to:

• Effectively utilize modern office equipment, including personal computers and standard business software such as the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Safely operate one or more types of vehicles as required by assignments.

Ability to:

• Direct the development and implementation of public works programs, projects, functions, services, goals, objectives, systems and work plans; plan, organize, control and direct all assigned departmental activities and operations; provide direction to managers and staff on systems development, budget and policy issues coordinate and direct personnel, resources, fiscal activities and communications to meet City needs and ensure smooth and efficient activities.
• Successfully manage the operations of a municipal water system.
• Provide consultation and technical expertise concerning public works operations and activities; interpret, apply and explain applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Monitor, analyze and recommend modifications to policies, procedures and programs to enhance the City's effectiveness, operational efficiency and capacity to meet public needs.
• Plan, direct and supervise the work of subordinate managers and supervisors, as well as professional, technical and clerical staff.
• Manage and implement a robust Capital Improvement Plan annually.
• Represent the City at various meetings and events.
• Direct and participate in the development of assigned budgets.
• Direct the investigation of, and ensure the proper and timely resolution of, issues and disputes related to areas of assignment.
• Obtain accurate information through interviews and observation.
• Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives and make creative recommendations.
• Research complex information from various sources and prepare comprehensive statistical and narrative reports.
• Direct the preparation and maintenance of records and files related to assigned activities.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

Supplemental Information

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Physical Demands:

Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting and requires: the use of standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; the ability to perform work that is primarily sedentary, although standing in and walking between work areas may be required; finger dexterity to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; occasional bending, stooping, kneeing, reaching, pushing and pulling drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements:

Work is primarily performed with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances; may require interacting with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental and City policies and procedures.

Selection Procedure:

Completed application and resume must be submitted by the filing deadline listed above. Application packets will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in the job announcement. Possession of the minimum qualifications does not ensure an invitation to the recruitment process. The selection process will include an oral interview and may include other testing processes designed to predict successful job performance. Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The City of Paramount is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

If you require reasonable accommodation during the examination components due to a qualified disability, you must inform the Human Resources Division at View phone number on click.appcast.io at least 5 days in advance of testing date.