Thank you for considering employment with the City and Borough of Sitka. The following information is provided to give potential applicants awareness regarding the job.
If a range of pay is advertised, starting pay dependent on experience and qualifications aligned with job requirements.
Primary Purpose of the Job
The primary purpose of this position is to manage the overall operations of the Public Works Department (PW) by developing, planning, organizing, and directing all activities of the department, including overseeing multiple divisions such as Building Engineering, Water/Wastewater, Solid Waste, Streets, Grounds and Parks Maintenance, Central Garage, Building Maintenance, and Capital Construction.
Under the supervision of the Municipal Administrator, the PW Director exercises independent judgment and discretion in the leadership and management of all aspects of the PW Departments staff, operations, and compliance. The PW Director directly supervises two or more employees and is responsible for the supervision of all department staff if delegated to other managers or supervisors.
The PW Director is a management employee who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to the Municipal Administrator, Assembly, Municipal Attorney, and other department heads who formulates, determines, or effectuates management policies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Assigns, prioritizes, supervises, motivates, and evaluates the work of staff directly supervised
Oversees the performance by all other department staff supervised by others who report directly to the PW Director
Maintains final authority, subject to review by the Municipal Administrator, on all department staff personnel actions and disciplinary decisions
Provides administrative oversight and direction for all projects and activities within the department
Prepares and implements strategic planning
Manages large-scale projects in addition to managing day-to-day operations
Sets priorities, monitors, and approves expenditures for capital construction programs
Identifies, analyzes, and answers questions, and resolves problems or conflicts within the department and between other departments, outside governmental agencies, contractors, and the public
Prepares, recommends, and provides operational justification for the departments annual budget to the Municipal Administrator and Assembly
Approves and monitors the expenditure of funds within the parameters of the approved budget
Advises the Municipal Administrator and the Assembly regarding the status of Public Works legal and operational obligations, ongoing activities, and accomplishments
Develops and provides policy direction to employees to ensure financial, technical or operational, and legal compliance
Coordinates Public Works activities with various boards, commissions, other departments, the Assembly and the public
Directs construction and maintenance activities according to approved budgets, contracts, applicable policies, and operational best practices
Performs other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
All phases of civil engineering design, analysis, construction, inspection, project management and contract administration;
Local, state, and federal laws, statutes, ordinances, assistance, and grant programs applicable to Public Works projects;
Current techniques, principles, and best practices of planning, building code enforcement, and financial management within a municipality;
Current practices and principles involved in public administration
Skills in:
Operating a personal computer using standard software, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other customized engineering and maintenance management software
Researching current best policies, procedures, and practices related to public works and municipal engineering to prepare analysis and proposals
Managing short- and long-term projects
Communicatingand dealing with a variety of people with various, and sometimes competing interests, calmly and professionally, and maintaining a positive working relationship
De-escalating potential or actual conflict
Conducting public outreach and engagement
Working with the media and maintaining public relations
Presenting and public speaking, explaining complex and sometimes controversial topics to a wide audience
Analyzing complex problems and developing innovative solutions
Problem solving to deal with a variety of community and staff needs and issues
Multi-tasking with strong attention to detail
Decision making as a manager in a diverse operation
Supervising a diverse team of professional, technical, and support staff
Ability to:
Recognize and maintain confidential information
Work effectively with elected officials, department heads, representatives of other agencies, employees, and the general public
Minimum Qualifications and Other Job Requirements/Expectations
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in engineering, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, or related field; and
Ten (10) years of work experience in public works, public utility operations, such as water/wastewater, and municipal capital projects; and
Two (2) years of experience as a Public Works Director or similar management position, in Alaska preferred; and
Civil Engineering degree, extensive experience, and Alaska licensure preferred; or
Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work
Other Job Requirements or Expectations
Attendance at relevant committee and commission meetings as well as Assembly meetings which may occur after regular work hours
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in a general office environment about 90% of the time
Work is performed outdoors, often in inclement weather with related hazards, about 10% of the time
Specific Physical Requirements:
Operating office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination using a computer and keyboard on a daily basis
Sitting at desk for prolonged periods of time while using a computer, in meetings, and performing other tasks during the work day
Occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds with or without assistance using proper equipment
Some standing, bending, reaching, and climbing
General Physical Requirements:
Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate well with other employees and the general public
Sufficien
