Public Works Director

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Public Works Director

EXEMPTION STATUS :  Exempt

JOB FAMILY:  Administrative

SALARY RANGE: $85,000. to $100,000

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:  This is responsible administrative, technical, and supervisory work in directing projects in 

various public works activities in the city. Duties involve planning, organizing, supervising, and inspecting the work of subordinates to 

ensure that projects are completed based on oral and written instructions.

SUPERVISES: (TITLES):  Public Works Employees

SUPERVISED BY: City Manager

DEFINITION:  This is responsible administrative, technical, and supervisory work in directing projects in 

various public works activities in the city. Duties involve planning, organizing, supervising, and 

inspecting the work of subordinates to ensure that projects are completed based on oral and written 

instructions.

Incumbent may operate equipment and may perform manual labor to participate in the completion of 

assigned projects. Incumbent must be available for on-call duty for emergency roadwork and other 

emergency public works activities. Work is performed under the general supervision of the City 

Manager

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Administrative direction is provided by the City Manager

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To support the vision, mission, and guiding principles of the city.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans, organizes, and supervises maintenance work such as laying pipes, building or repairing catch basins, patching, and paving potholes, building, and cleaning curb and gutter.

• Schedules, supervises, and inspects the work of crews engaged in constructing, maintaining, and repairing sidewalks and other city owned systems.

• Produce bid documents, when necessary, for public works projects; coordinate with engineers for project administration, construction plan design, bid administration, etc.

• Receives complaints and reports on conditions of City streets, sidewalks, drainage systems, buildings, and equipment; consults with City Manager and assists in establishing priorities for maintenance and repair work; schedules equipment and requisitions materials when needed; prepares cost estimates, obtains prices, and recommends purchases of materials and equipment.

• Plans and supervises the work of crews engaged in street and right-of-way cleaning, including mowing, and in the collection of trash and debris from City streets.

• Answers complaints from citizens regarding trash collection services; directs corrective action as required; coordinates with third-party sanitation service provider.

• Plans and supervises maintenance operations of the City Cemetery, including but not limited to the mowing of grass and weeding.

• Plans and supervises producing the annual MS4 report.

• Plans and supervises operations of the City’s Parks, including but not limited to park maintenance and upkeep, restroom operations, park equipment repair.

• Installs or repairs street signs in subdivisions and other areas.

• Monitors and oversees the City’s physical facilities; repairs plumbing fixtures and performs other duties in buildings and facilities.

• Discusses scope and methods of projects with City Manager.; analyzes and assesses infrastructure needs; assist with long-term planning and programs.

• Maintains daily logs or records of maintenance projects.

• Inspects equipment used in public works operations; directs repairs as necessary; instructs equipment operators in proper use and maintenance of equipment.

• Ensures that work is performed in accordance with established safety rules and City and departmental policies and procedures.

• Attends meeting of Council; attends other committee and organizational meetings as directed.

• Prepares and recommends the annual budget for departments and funds under the Directors purview, including personnel, equipment and facilities, monitors, and controls expenditures within approved funding.

• Performs related work as required.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Other duties as assigned by City Manager and/or Mayor.

JOB SCOPE:

Job has recurring work situations involving high degrees of discretion. The need for accuracy and effective utilization of available resources is high. Errors in judgment could cause disruptions to the City’s mission and adversely impact attainment of the City’s goals. Incumbent operates under the direction of the City Manager

COMMUNICATIONS/CUSTOMER CONTACT:

Contacts are across the City Organization as well as outside the city. Contact is a critical component of success in this role.

COMPETENCIES/SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING PREFERRED:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could provide the required knowledge and abilities.

EDUCATION:

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a bachelor’s degree in a course of study related to the occupational field (i.e. Public Administration, Business Administration, etc.) and/or three (3) years of experience in performing comparable administrative, technical and supervisory duties; sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives and functions of the departments served; to direct and to coordinate the work performed.

• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with customers and the general public by telephone and in person.

• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

ADA MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift weights up to 100 pounds Work Environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration or risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is moderately noisy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of the materials, equipment, procedures, and methods used in municipal public works construction and maintenance activities.

• Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary to the operation of heavy trucks and equipment.

• Thorough knowledge of geography and streets of the city and of the location of underground utilities.

• Considerable knowledge of basic street construction techniques.

• Knowledge in principles of budget preparation and expenditure control.

• Some knowledge of carpentry, plumbing trades work, and basic masonry techniques.

• Ability to prepare and create clear and comprehensive written reports.

• Ability to organize and supervise the work of others.

• Ability to understand, interpret and carry out oral and written instructions.

• Strong communication skills with ability to give clear verbal instructions to public works employees.

• Ability to understand and interpret simple diagrams and drawings of assigned projects.

• Ability to maintain records of daily work assignments and projects.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other city staff and the general public.

The City of Jonesboro is an equal opportunity, drug-free employer committed to diversity in the workplace.