DEFINITION: Under the direction of the General Manager or their designee, this position serves as the principle planning and public works administrator. Work is performed with considerable independent judgment within established policies and procedures. The Director is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring long range plans for capital improvement programs, including master planning and facility development; develops and oversees acquisition plans and ensures compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations related to land use, building, and development. The Director will plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the public works department including fleet, facilities, parks and open space. Performs representational duties related to assigned areas of responsibility.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Receives administrative direction from the General Manager. Exercises general supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff.

CLASSIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS: This is a departmental director classification that manages the planning and public works functions of the District. The incumbent is responsible for formulating and enforcing policies, managing capital improvement projects, supervising maintenance operations, and ensuring legal and regulatory compliance. The role requires extensive coordination across departments, agencies, and private-sector partners, along with responsibility for budget development and performance oversight. The Director contributes to high-level strategic initiatives and represents the District in legal and administrative proceedings related to public works and planning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Plan, direct and coordinate the planning and public works department’s work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility.
• Manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area.
• Coordinate the long and short term land planning for the District.
• Administers District’s park impact fee program. Coordinates dedication of park land and collection of in lieu fees in accordance with applicable policy and procedure.
• Assist in the preparation and maintenance of the District’s strategic and community parks and recreation master plan. Coordinates the planning of individual park/recreation units and projects within the master plan.
• Determines methodologies, information resources and techniques to be used to conduct planning studies and research; conducts comprehensive analysis, technical investigations, and research of planning related issues and performs feasibility studies dealing with park design issues, policies and projects related to function, aesthetics, and implementation.
• Oversees capital funds building projects, including grant funds; adherence to building requirements; schedules and contracts and construction inspection.
• Manages public works contract procurement process and administers public works contracts.
• Administers contracts with consultants for the development of plans and planning information, including writing RFPs, evaluating bidder capabilities, participation in final selection decisions, and prepares recommendations to the Board of Directors.
• In conjunction with legal counsel, negotiates and prepares bid documents and construction contracts, including insurance, bonds, etc. Reviews initial project schedules, subcontractors and suppliers. Prepares recommendations for award of contract to Board of Directors.
• Monitor construction progress through site visits and attendance at job meetings as progress requires.
• Reviews and approves payments to contractors, consultants and suppliers. Negotiates change orders and recommends appropriate action to the Board of Directors.
• Represents District in mediation or litigation of contract disputes.
• Works with District department leadership and staff to coordinate the program planning and needs with construction funding and scheduling to ensure alignment.
• Manages the District’s maintenance and equipment management program which includes activities related to the procurement, maintenance, operator training, inventorying and disposal of the District’s vehicles, tools and industrial equipment.
• Manages the maintenance and repair of buildings, swimming pools, District vehicles, landscape as well as park and recreational grounds and structures.
• Responsible for managing the District’s On-Call program which responds to maintenance emergencies District-wide.
• Responsible for maintaining compliance with CAL-OSHA requirements and public safety.
• Assures senior management policy, programs, goals, objectives and guidelines are understood and met by department personnel.
• Assures that District operational and financial interests receive maximum attention and decisions are consistent with overall District goals and objectives. Develops, justifies and defends proposed budget submissions.
• Coordinates with other District departments in maintaining a positive team environment and good working relationships.
• Maintains effective collaborative partnerships with other agencies and the private sector to offer joint services that expand recreational opportunities throughout the community.
• Serves on internal District committees, working groups and/or ad hoc task forces, providing expertise and contributing to the attainment of successful results.
• Responsible for training staff regarding job duties and responsibilities as well as safety standards.
• Responsible for directly supervising subordinate employees which includes conducting performance evaluations, coaching sessions, disciplinary actions while coordinating with General Manager/Human Resources.
• Ensures employees maintain appropriate licenses handling equipment and chemicals that are used in conjunction with duties and responsibilities.
• Within the department, establishes, promotes and monitors professional standards and development consistent with District service standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Project management principles, methods, and practices.
• Landscape design theory, principles, and practices.
• Basic architectural principles.
• Park design and construction methods.
• Applicable instruments and tools utilized in park planning.
• Plant materials.
• Park and urban planning principles and practices.
• Applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations.
• Budgeting principles.
• Contract management principles and practices.
• Project accounting principles, practices, and methods.
• Principles and practices of public recreation.

Ability to:

• Perform complex technical duties involved in the planning, design, and management of park and recreational facilities.
• Develop and prepare plans, studies, reports and drawings related to planning projects.
• Direct and assist architects, engineers, and landscape architects involved in the planning process.
• Direct contractors in constructing park capital projects.
• Estimate project costs.
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations.
• Attend meetings and facilitate communication with elected bodies, special interest groups and the general public.
• Work confidentially with discretion.
• Prepare design drawings and sketches.
• Read blueprints and technical materials.
• Operate computers and design programs.
• Compile and analyze technical information, maps, research data and other pertinent data.
• Maintaining records and reports.
• Administering contracts.
• Interpret rules and regulations.
• Communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
• Assess and evaluate situations effectively.
• Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
• Take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately.
• Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing.
• Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences.
• Report for work regularly and on time.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff and contract personnel.
• Maintain high degree of motivation in team members to retain focus of providing highest levels of customer satisfaction.
• Travel when required to inspect parks, District facilities or other areas as required.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Build strong bonds with employees to foster open, honest and candid communication.
• Multi-task and remain organized in a fast paced, changing environment.
• Organize and coordinate tasks and projects while operating successfully with ambiguous guidelines.

Language Skills - ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively both orally and in writing with co-workers, supervisor, management, other department representatives, and the public.

Reasoning Ability - ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; perform deductive and inductive reasoning; think clearly and act quickly; apply logic and common sense to problem solving.

Education/Experience/Training: Any combination of education, experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

Education: Possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, landscape architecture, park or natural resource management, construction or engineering management, business or public administration or a closely related field. Master’s Degree preferred, and

Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible experience in public works, project planning, design and development leadership, acquisition and management or park management, including three years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.
Possession and maintenance of a valid California driver’s license with an acceptable driving record is a condition of initial and continued employment in this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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.

• The employee is required to work within an office and outdoor environment.
• The employee is regularly required to operate a car, truck, and various other motorized equipment in the performance of his/her job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• The employee regularly is required to perform work on a computer.
• The employee regularly is required to walk, sit, smell and talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to withstand outside elements including extreme heat, rain, wind, etc.
• The employee is frequently required to stand; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally carry/push/pull/lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Eye-hand-foot coordination required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Works alone, with others, and around others. Has verbal contact with others. Works indoors, works outdoors, exposure to extreme hot or cold temperature, working at heights, being around moving machinery, exposure to marked changes in temperature/humidity, exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, gases, odors, mists, or other irritating particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to excessive noise, exposure to solvents, grease or oil, exposure to slippery or uneven walking surfaces, using computer monitor, exposure to vibration, exposure to flames or burning items.