PUBLIC WORKS SPECIALIST

Public Works Specialist

The City of La Quinta is pleased to announce an opening for a Public Works Specialist in the Public Works/Engineering Department. This position plays an essential role in supporting daily operations by performing a variety of administrative tasks, maintaining accurate records, assisting with project and CIP documentation, and providing support to staff and community members. The role helps ensure the efficient implementation of City projects and programs by applying knowledge of municipal processes and Public Works/Engineering functions. This role is ideal for someone who is:

• Customer service-oriented
• Able to handle multiple priorities
• Detail-oriented
• Strong communicator

If you are looking for an opportunity to contribute to meaningful community projects, expand your professional skills, and be part of a supportive and collaborative team dedicated to serving La Quinta residents, the City encourages you to apply! Let your talents support the continued growth and excellence of our community.

Example Of Duties

The Public Works Specialist will be responsible for providing comprehensive administrative and technical support for essential City programs and Public Works/Engineering operations. This position applies working knowledge of City processes and Public Works/Engineering functions to support essential programs and ensure high-quality service delivery.

Essential Duties:

• Administers CIP project documentation materials and the process. Enters data into templated RFPs, agreements, and contract documents. Administers the RFP process, including distributing and receiving documents, notifying vendors, and assisting the team with review.
• Administers the ADA Transition Program by researching and updating data related to the program, ensuring the correctness of the information provided to other agencies.
• Compiles information for and creates standardized, routine staff reports, ensuring accuracy by coordinating the review, approval, and presentation of department staff reports. May provide information during City meetings as part of the departmental team.
• Compiles project budget information and conducts tracking and data entry during annual budget process and for daily work activities. Creates and verifies standardized budget reports and data. Serves as a member of the department's budget team.
• Composes, researches, updates, distributes, and maintains standardized correspondence, newsletters, contracts, procurement documents, records, reports, manuals, logs, and other documentation for the department and CIP. Ensures appropriate records management processes work in conjunction with the City Clerk's office.
• Conducts routine grant processing activities for standardized grant processes such as the Community Development Block Grant, including completing and reviewing simplified applications and reports, processing reimbursements and fund requests, and reviewing for compliance. Compiles information and prepares recommendations for grant awards for review and approval by supervisor.
• Maintains and updates department website content.
• Performs customer service and reception duties for the department. Receives, responds to, and forwards phone calls/emails from parties concerning complaints, projects, and service requests. Provides information on department processes and procedures.
• Performs a variety of fiscal processing and tracking, including reconciling, verifying, and processing invoices, payments, change orders, purchases, credit cards, and project close-out reimbursements. Creates purchase orders and requisitions. Runs and verifies standardized reports and data from the City's financial and reporting systems.
• Performs community outreach as part of the CIP team by attending community outreach events, providing basic information, creating presentations, and coordinating the logistics of the events.
• Provides direct administrative support to the Director and department staff. Prepares and documents meeting agendas, minutes, and presentations. Maintains department calendars, schedules meetings, and coordinates appointments and logistics.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED and four (4) years of office or customer service experience, including one (1) year of experience in a public works or engineering department; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the job's essential duties. Licensing/Certifications

• Valid Class "C" California driver's license.

Knowledge Of:

• Administrative support methods and principles.
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Basic mathematical principles.
• Customer service principles.
• Data entry techniques and use of automated information systems.
• Documentation and record-keeping principles.
• File management and storage techniques and practices.
• General accounting processes.
• General procurement principles and practices.
• Modern office procedures and equipment.
• Project documentation administration.
• Proper language usage, grammar, and punctuation.
• Understanding of municipal organization structure.
• Understanding of public works and engineering operations.
• Report preparation principles and methods.

Skill In:

• Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc., sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Compilation of data and drawing conclusions.
• Composing, editing, reviewing, comprehending, and interpreting a variety of documents.
• Coordinating meetings and events.
• Handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Maintaining accurate records.
• Maintaining confidentiality.
• Maintaining effective working relationships with peers, the public, and staff.
• Operating a computer and relevant software applications.
• Operating modern office equipment.
• Performing math computations including basic statistics and accounting-based transactions.
• Preparing, editing, and writing reports, contracts, and documents.
• Preparing written reports and documents of basic to moderate complexity.
• Processing financial documents and records.
• Providing customer service.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands: Positions in this class typically require: standing, sitting, walking, reaching, handling, fine dexterity, kneeling, vision, hearing, and talking. Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently, sitting most of the time.

Selection Process: Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and whose interests and experience appear to meet the desired qualifications of the position will be invited to participate in the next steps of the recruitment process, which may include:

• Oral Exam
• Supplemental Exercise

Important Notice: The City of La Quinta employees are registered as Emergency Disaster Workers and must take an oath. In the event of a declared emergency, City employees shall initially remain at work or, if recalled, shall report to work after completing critical personal and family emergency responsibilities.