Public Works Director

Primary Responsibility: Under general direction of the Board of County Commissioners, the primary responsibilities for the Director of Public Works are to plan, direct, manage, organize and administer the activities, projects and operations of the Public Works Department, including the Road and Bridge (R&B) Division, Solid Waste Division, Transfer Station, Public Works Fleet Services, County Biomass Functions, and Public Works budget management.
Oversees the planning, design, construction, maintenance and alteration of roads, Public Works buildings and HVAC systems, equipment, water and wastewater systems, solid waste equipment and the county Public Works vehicle and heavy vehicle fleet. Gathers and reviews data concerning: roads, buildings, government regulations, and construction feasibility. Plans, budgets and schedules road or public works operations including estimates, bid sheets, layouts, contracts and labor/material requirements. Inspects the construction and installation progress to ensure compliance with established statutes, specifications, space allocation, layout and timetables. Oversees the physical maintenance of all county public works buildings, equipment and systems. Plans Public Works facility modifications in partnership with Facilities Manager. Supervises staff to accomplish County goals and objectives.
Supervised by: Board of County Commissioners

Supervises: All Public Works staff
FLSA status: Exempt

Primary PW Job Duties:

• Provides professional and technical management for Public Works Department. Responsibilities include policy development, short and long-range program planning, fiscal management, administration, training, and operational direction. Delegates projects and responsibilities accordingly. Ensures safe operations of the department. Accomplishes department objectives and goals within guidelines established by the Board of County Commissioners.

• Hires, supervises, evaluates and disciplines staff in accordance with the Gilpin County’s Employee Handbook. Trains, develops and coaches employees in the accomplishment of their duties, professional growth and risk management. Responsible for helping to create a cohesive and positive workforce within the Public Works department.

• Develops and manages road construction projects, designs contracts and maintenance programs of the Road and Bridge Division; oversees maintenance techniques, service requests, complaint reviews, corrective recommendations and operational problem solving. Prepares requests for proposals (RFP’s), reviews proposals and evaluates bids. Interprets project engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates and bid application to determine feasibility, engineering cost effectiveness, compliance with code requirements and accepted engineering or maintenance standards. Reviews work progress, cost reports, coordination of payment schedules, change orders and contract compliance per Gilpin County guidelines. Serves as or oversees the county Road Supervisor as appointed by the BOCC per state statute.

• Develops and manages all programs, policies, operations and maintenance of the Solid Waste Division. Evaluates collection and operating costs; promotes environmentally sound solid waste activities through education and enforcement of solid waste storage, collection and disposal regulations. Monitors solid waste activities including scheduling and coordination of solid waste collection and transfer to disposal sites.

• Develops and manages the procurement, operation, maintenance and repair of all County owned and leased vehicles. Collects data for measurable cost effectiveness of operational efficiency; manages policies and procedures to ensure County resources and communications needs are met. Maintains a familiarization of all equipment owned, leased or rented by the Public Works Department. Serves as the lead person on purchase, sale, lease or rental of the Department’s vehicles and equipment

• Manages the County Biomass Program. Monitors and evaluates biomass collection and operating costs; promotes biomass utilization activities through collaborative partnerships in facilitating fuel reduction planning, implementation, and capacity building. Maintains market knowledge of log and chip prices, appraises timber worth and negotiates purchases, maintains records and tracks costs associated with biomass and slash/mulch

• Evaluates new technology or improvements to reduce county energy use sources and demands. Helps to monitor and control utility costs and seeks ways to conserve energy at all Public Works facilities.

• Participates in the planning of Public Works capital improvement projects for system maintenance or expansion. Reviews developer plans, specifications, and other planning applications within scope of knowledge for the appropriate design of road and bridge projects. This includes extensions of roadways, drainage and land use systems. Reviews and approves changes to approved plans and specifications.

• Prepares, monitors and manages the department’s budget. Coordinates departmental accounting (budget, payroll and expenditures) with the Finance Director. Approves employee timecards through the county’s NOVATIME system. Reviews and signs weekly vouchers.

• Develops, implements and monitors criteria for regulations, fees and fine schedules, plus permits pertaining to work performed in the County’s right-of-way

• Interacts with Federal and State Forest Services staff and other various interest groups including but not limited to presentations, panel participation, forums and workshops regarding biomass, pest infestations and other forestry concerns as they affect Gilpin County roads and Public Works operations

• Maintains an expert knowledge of all road and bridge locations, road right of ways, road agreements, road contracts, and roads that have been deeded to Gilpin County but not accepted for maintenance. Serves as the lead person working with the Board of County Commissioners on the acquisition, change or termination of same.

• Prepares and administers the department budget including collecting, organizing, researching budget material and controlling expenditures (including reviewing & signing of vouchers). Brings critical budget issues to the Board of County Commissioners for discussion. Presents final budget to Board of County Commissioners in conjunction with the Finance Director for approval, including capital funding requests. Controls expenditures of the annual budget appropriation

• Develops short-term and long-term capital expenditure projections regarding repair, maintenance, expansion, or remodeling of Public Works buildings and facilities.

• Working with the Facilities Manager, oversees the maintenance and services to exterior and interior, quarterly and annual inspections, and ADA issues in of all Public Works facilities

• Provides management oversight of the preventative maintenance program for Public Work assets.

• Assists Facilities Manager as requested, in preparing requests for proposals (RFP’s) and bids; reviews contract bids and proposals; assists in coordination and reviews consultants’ design work.

• Hires, evaluates, disciplines and supervises all staff. Resolves personnel issues when possible; otherwise involves Human Resources and/or the county commissioners. Informs HR of personnel disciplinary issues.

Additional Job Duties:

• Attends Board of County Commissioner meetings and other public meetings as necessary.

• Submits required monthly reports to the Board of County Commissioners.

• Assists other County departments with roadwork, drainage issues and construction projects as necessary.

• Performs other appropriate duties as assigned by the Board of County Commissioners and any duties needed to stabilize an emergency situation.

• Conducts weekly project status meetings on assigned projects.

Hours:

• Generally. Monday – Friday with weekends as needed to respond to immediate needs. Must be available to quickly respond to any facility or road problem and/or road complaints from the public, residents or staff.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Public Works Administration or related field, or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

• Must possess:

• Strong organizational leadership abilities and demonstrated skill in administration, personnel, team building and finance.

• Strong interpersonal, decision-making and management skills. Ability to problem solve and accept complaints and feedback in a professional manner.

• Strong background in heavy equipment including operational and maintenance.

• Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and techniques of public works, traffic engineering, civil engineering, transit, solid waste.

• Applicable federal, state and local law, codes and regulations governing the administration of public works and public utilities.

• Building System infrastructure and operating systems (water, waste water, HVAC, Lighting, Alarms, etc.), building design, construction and maintenance.

• The aspects of public works facilities planning, construction and maintenance.

• Principles of project management.

• Effective and efficient work practices for estimating time, costs, materials, staffing and equipment needs.

• Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of staff, and provide for their motivation, training and professional development.

• Research, compile, and summarize a variety of informational and statistical data and materials; prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.

• Ability to accurately and effectively transmit and receive information that is necessary to the accomplishment of goals and objectives, including effective written and oral communications in English; and the ability to listen.

• Speak effectively before employees and public groups and respond to questions.

• Organize work, set priorities and meet critical deadlines.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees, elected officials, the public and other agencies.

• Recognize, investigate and analyze a variety of complex problems and to make effective recommendations for solutions.

• Identify and assess equipment and building maintenance related problems and facilitate the corrections of those problems.

• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s license without any restriction due to driving record. Must also be able to drive a county vehicle.

• Must pass background check, including traffic and criminal.

Mental/Physical Requirements: The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position:

• Spends 50% of the time sitting, and 50% of the time either standing or walking while on the job.

• Occasionally lifts over 15 lbs., when moving office or maintenance supplies or files, and may stoop, kneel, crouch and balance while performing same functions.

• Oral and auditory capacity enabling interpersonal communication, as well as, communication through automated devices such as email, telephone and radio.

• Eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the constant use of machinery such as computer keyboard.

• Must be able to perform, without additional assistance, all physical movements required for program administration, personnel supervision and the rapid, on-site inspection and assessment of road and bridge conditions.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of supervisory experience.

• Five (5) years of experience in general building trades, public works, road maintenance.

• Five (5) years of progressive responsibility in the preparation and management of project, budgetary and financial obligations involving public works, road and bridge and facilities improvement.

• Three (3) years of professional civil engineering experience consisting of road design and layout preferred.

• Two (2) years of experience in business or public administration, public relations, budgeting and project management preferred.

• Experience in maintenance of gravel roads, budgeting, cost accounting and construction contract administration. Experience in rural mountain road preferred.

• Previous transit, forestry and solid waste experience desirable.

Job Type: Full-time