Position
Do you have a background in public works? Are you looking for a public service opportunity that will challenge you? Do you thrive in an award-winning public works environment? Are you dedicated to providing exceptional services that improve a community's quality of life? If so, apply to be part of our professional, dedicated and committed executive team. The City of Vista is looking for a Director of Public Works who will help our city reach new levels of excellence.
THE COMMUNITY
Located just seven miles inland from the Pacific Ocean in North San Diego County, the City of Vista offers a perfect mild Mediterranean climate. Home to a population of over 98,000, residents and visitors enjoy a wide range of year-round outdoor activities in a setting of gentle rolling hills and pleasant rural surroundings.
The City’s centralized location provides quick accessibility to the ocean, the mountains, and famous attractions such as LEGOLAND, the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Sea World and Disneyland. Vista is home to the Wave Waterpark and the Moonlight Amphitheatre, an open air theater, which draws thousands of Southern Californians each year to experience award-winning productions.
Having invested substantially in its economic development efforts over the years, Vista’s 1,200 acre business park is now home to over 900 growing companies that employ over 23,000 employees. Over the last five years, Vista has experienced the greatest economic boom ever in its history, outperforming most other municipalities in San Diego County in retail sales and employment growth, resulting in impressive sales tax revenues that not only give the City of Vista financial stability, but the means to invest in the community as well. Today, Vista is a crossroads of culture, education, technology and commerce with a vision to meet the diverse needs of all its residents – residential, corporate and retail.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Vista has been recognized three times in the book “50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family”, being listed as one of the 50 best cities in the nation. Our award-winning community provides superior educational opportunities in over 25 public/private schools and colleges in the nearby area. With an average of 340 days of sunshine a year, outdoor fun and recreation tend to be a common theme in a Vista lifestyle. The city boasts 16 community parks which selectively feature theaters, museums, recreation centers, picnic grounds, athletic fields and specialty sports parks.
CITY GOVERNMENT
The City of Vista is a chartered law city operating under a Council/Manager form of government. Four City Council Members and the Mayor are elected at-large to 4-year staggered terms. The city was incorporated in January 1963.
The City Manager along with the City Attorney are appointed by the City Council. City departments/functions include: City Attorney, City Clerk, Community Development, Economic Development, Engineering, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Public Works, and Recreation & Community Services. The City contracts with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement services.
THE DEPARTMENT
The City of Vista is seeking an experienced and dynamic leader to oversee its Public Works Department. The Public Works Department provides a diverse range of services in order to maintain a quality community. Responsibilities include care of streets and storm drains, the sewer system, the City's' fleet of vehicles and equipment, City parks and facilities, environmental protection efforts, and maintaining other important infrastructure. The Department is comprised of the following six divisions employing up to 60 individuals:
The Building and Facility Maintenance Division
Provides repair services to all City facilities including the Civic Center, two Sheriff's substations, the Vista Library, Thibodo Community Center, Jim Porter Recreation Center, Gloria McClellan Adult Activity & Resource Center, Public Works yard, Avo Playhouse, the Moonlight Amphitheatre, all six fire stations, and multiple park facilities. In addition, the Division provides contract oversight of custodial maintenance.
The Fleet Maintenance Division
Manages the maintenance and repair of over 250 vehicles and pieces of construction equipment owned by the City of Vista. This fleet includes 36 emergency vehicles operated by the Fire Department.
The Park Maintenance Division
Maintains park grounds, picnic structures, trails, and roads within the city's park system. Staff monitors and supplements the work of contractors who provide maintenance at 27 sites encompassing 260 acres of parkland, including Brengle Terrace Park, Buena Vista Park, Vista Sports Park, the Civic Center complex, two Sheriff substations, and other city-owned facilities. Annually, the division oversees the trimming of approximately 500 park trees throughout the city.
The Street Maintenance Division
Contributes to the safety of both vehicles and pedestrian traffic through street maintenance and maintenance of traffic signs, traffic striping and road markings, graffiti abatement, and, the inspection and cleaning of storm drains. The Division maintains approximately 185 miles of road, 90 miles of sidewalk, an inventory of 15,000 traffic signs, and 1,254 municipal storm system inlets.
The Wastewater Maintenance Division
Funded by two sewer districts, operates and maintains over 315 miles of sewer collection and pipelines in compliance with state and federal discharge requirements.
Public Works Administration
Staff oversee and manage twelve budget units and internal service funds that cover nearly $17 million in expenditures annually. Public Works Administration provides leadership, direction, administrative, and contract management support to each specialized division. Administration also coordinates assistance for citywide special events such as the City's 4th of July celebration, Chamber of Commerce's Strawberry Festival, and Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Parade.
DEFINITION:
Under general administrative direction, to plan, organize, direct and administer programs of the Public Works Department, including the Public Works Field Operations, Wastewater and Fleet Maintenance Divisions, and other public works related programs and functions; and to perform related work as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This position class is responsible to the City Manager for the effective administration of the Public Works Department in accordance with administrative directives, City Council actions and applicable laws and regulations. This position acts with a high degree of independence of action in the assigned area of responsibility. Direction received consists of the assignment of the responsibility to attain objectives per policy guidelines. Incumbents are expected to develop methods and procedures and to solve problems encountered. Except where a deviation in policy or a non-routine assignment is involved, most work is not reviewed directly by the supervisor, and when work is reviewed, the review is directed toward final outcomes and results.Examples of Essential Functions
Plans, organizes, directs and administers public works programs, including field operations related to sewer lines, storm drains, streets and other capital improvements, and building plan check and field inspection services; negotiates and administers public works related services provided through contract with firms; analyzes community needs and develops programs in accordance with established City policy and available resources; directs preparation of and administers the Department budget; develops and administers service contracts associated with construction projects and public improvements in the public right-of-way; prepares applications and oversees implementation and reporting of funding for public works projects; formulates plans for capital improvements; reviews plans, specifications, estimates, and contracts for public works projects; analyzes and recommends the acceptance of bids received on projects; serves as technical and professional advisor and provides staff support to City Council and Council appointed commissions and committees; maintains maps, records and files related to public works; develops, maintains, and enforces departmental standard operating procedures for each division; selects, directs, trains and evaluates personnel; meets and confers with groups and organizations concerning public works issues and services; processes and adjusts employee grievances of the department; handles disciplinary hearings; explains policies, procedures and objectives of the unit to staff by written directive and by oral communications; prepares and delivers presentations and speaks on a wide range of public works; conducts staff meetings; develops staff development programs; conducts studies and investigations, preparing comprehensive reports of findings and recommendations; attends meetings, conferences and seminars; operates City vehicles; and performs related work as required.
Minimum Qualifications
LICENSE REQUIRED:
A valid Class C California Driver's License.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Applicable federal, state and local codes and regulations;
- Municipal public works administration, planning and design;
- Conceptual practices and functions of engineering;
- Principles of management, administration, and budgeting;
- Principles of supervision, training and public relations;
- Basic principles of labor relations;
- Processing of right-of-way acquisitions;
- Motorized equipment maintenance;
- Facilities maintenance;
- Construction methods employed in municipal public works;
- Advanced record keeping methods;
- Various methods and techniques, including negotiation, to reach mutually agreeable solutions and outcomes;
- Accurate mathematical and statistical computations;
- Principles, practices, materials and equipment of the public works field;
- Appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
SKILLS:
Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.
ABILITY TO:- Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the Public Works
- Department, and the City’s executive management team;
- Develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and standard operating procedures for providing effective and efficient Department programs and services;
- Formulate budget estimates and administer a department budget;
- Select, supervise, train, and oversee the work of staff;
- Prepare, review and approve comprehensive reports, plans and estimates;
- Communicate effectively to elected/appointed officials, staff, groups, organizations and members of the public in writing and orally;
- Establish and maintain record keeping systems to satisfy varied reporting/documentation requirements;
- Read, understand, and interpret complex documents;
- Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted during work;
- Gain cooperation through negotiation, discussion, and persuasion;
- Plan, organize and direct Public Works programs, including field operations related to maintaining sewer lines, storm drain systems, streets, parks, parkways, medians, right of way, fleet, facility’s etc.;
- Speak at public meetings and develop/deliver presentations.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position. A typical qualifying entrance background is completion of a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, public administration or a closely related field, a Master's degree is desireable;
At least five years of progressively responsible public sector management experience related to public works programs;
Administrative level experience planning, organizing and directing broad public works construction and maintenance programs and, inspection and contract administration;
Experience in a management classification in the City of Vista, wherein the incumbent has knowledges and abilities listed above;
The ideal candidate for the position of Director of Public Works will be an active leader, an
excellent administrator who can collaborate and work with all constituencies, both internal and external, and is a strong communicator. A leadership style that is action oriented and focused on positive results and accountability is expected in this role.Other Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to communicate effectively verbally and in a written manner; observe and interpret data, and analyze and solve problems. The employee must be able to work indoor office environments/outdoor in the field environments (depending on position). The employee may have to move up to 50 lbs. and transport up to 10 lbs. objects frequently (depending on position). Vision abilities required by this job include the ability to detect, determine, perceive, identify, estimate, and assess work related objects and/or work products based on position specific designated tasks. The employee may be required to work overtime to complete assignments. Must be able to work a flexible schedule. Use of personal vehicle during employment may also be required.
Travel required within and out of City to attend meetings. Occasionally performs field visits for meetings and job site inspection/review and occasionally drives to other locations in and out of the City.
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this position is $176,929.04 to $217,222.44 annually with an anticipated increase of 2.5% on July 1, 2024, and a very attractive benefits package. Salary will depend upon the qualifications and experience of the candidate.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
A City application form and supplemental questionnaire MUST be submitted and received by the closing date. Please apply online at www.cityofvista.com. All other employment inquiries can be directed to the City of Vista, Human Resources Office, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, CA 92084. Telephone: (760) 643-5381.
SELECTION PROCESS :
Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application materials that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, and oral exams to evaluate the applicant's skill, training, and experience for the position. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list. The City may also merge lists. The selected candidate(s) must successfully complete pre-employment clearances which may include a physical, drug screen, and fingerprinting.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
The City of Vista is an Equal Opportunity and ADA compliant employer. All qualified candidates and veterans are welcome to apply!
*SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Recruitment Closes: Monday, July 22nd, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Initial Interview Panel: Week of July 29th, 2024
Stakeholder Panel Interview: Tentatively August 15th, 2024 *Please note, all dates and/or timeframes are subject to change.
