Public Works Staff Specialist

CAREER DESCRIPTION

PUBLIC WORKS STAFF SPECIALIST(Staff Specialist)
SALARY INFORMATIONIn addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates:
Effective July 1, 2022 – 3.5% increase
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC This recruitment will establish an open eligible list. This list will be used to fill vacancies in various areas within Public Works This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on
Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 11:59 PM (PST).
OC PUBLIC WORKS
OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through efficient delivery and maintenance of public works infrastructure, planning, and development services. OC Public Works core values are integrity, accountability, service and trust.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Public Works Staff Specialist position will provide support to various functions within the assigned service area. The Staff Specialist will be assigned to a full range of analytical duties, including problem identification, information gathering, research, analysis, development of alternative resolutions, and final recommendations. The incumbent may perform these activities through action and verbal communication, formal written reports, or a combination of both.

Examples of duties may include but are not limited to:

• Draft and independently prepare correspondence and routine documents, letters, forms, orders, resolutions, and other material of important nature including brief verbal instructions, research, minutes, and notes.
• Responsible for monthly expenditure reports for all costing. Responsible for monitoring the payment of department bills and maintaining cost accounting and cash flow records. Prepares other county department and outside agency billings for Public Works services.
• Prepare and maintain records, reports, and statistical data.
• Compiling and analyzing budget projections, budget requests, and strategic financial plans
• Visualizing, analyzing and interpreting data to understand relationships, patterns and trends
• Preparing and orally presenting program support information to various groups (e.g., employees, management, etc.).
• Assisting with planning and designing projects
• Recordkeeping and producing monthly reports by using County software/tools

The current opportunities are within Administrative Services, Development Services, Fleet Services, and Construction; however, this recruitment may be used to fill Staff Specialist opportunities with other service areas as needed:
Administrative Services - Leads the financial and administrative operations for the department. This includes management of public information, policies and procedures, fee studies, strategic financial planning, budgets, goods and services procurement, public records requests, and parking and building administration
Construction - Provides construction management services for road, bridge, bikeway and flood control capital improvement and maintenance projects, manages the County's pavement maintenance program, and performs quality assurance testing of construction materials for County construction projects.
Development Services - Oversees the planning and development entitlement requirements for private and public projects within the County’s unincorporated areas. This includes permit processing, inspection services and management of zoning, building and code regulations – all to ensure safe and responsible property development and community standards.
Environmental Resources - Manages the OC Watersheds and OC Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures programs, which protect public health and safety, promote environmental quality, certify consumer weights and measures, and sustain business competitiveness through education, regulation and collaborative regional programs. Fleet Services – Delivers vehicle management services to over 3,000 County-owned vehicles and equipment in County agencies and departments. This includes general maintenance, vehicle acquisitions between 250-300 annually, repair services and managing enforcement of vehicle rules and regulations.
Facilities Design & Construction Management – Provides professional architectural and engineering related services in support of vertical capital projects and programs to various County of Orange agencies. Facilities Maintenance & Central Utility Facility (CUF) – Ensures the efficient and innovative operation of County facilities through maintenance management services, after-hours emergency support, building automation and utility management. A major component is the Central Utility Facility (CUF), a combined heat and power facility that provides cooling, heating and/or electricity to 23 buildings within the Santa Ana Civic Center area.
Infrastructure - Provides engineering services for roadways in unincorporated areas and regional flood control programs throughout Orange County. This includes programming, design, legislation tracking, project management, traffic safety, and development review services.
Operations& Maintenance - Enhances and protects communities through the operation and maintenance of public infrastructure, while serving a critical role in responding to the needs of the public in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes, fires, storm events and other general emergencies. OC Public Works supports the O&M activities for unincorporated Orange County, the contracted cities of Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and Dana Point, the Transportation Corridor Agencies, and the Orange County Flood Control District’s regional flood control facilities throughout the county.

Survey - Provides innovative surveying and mapping services that support the public’s land-use needs and the design and construction of land development projects throughout the County. This includes supporting the acquisition and sale of property, maintenance of land information and geographic information systems (GIS) for all parcels within the County.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will will also demonstrate the following competencies:

Technical Expertise

• Knowledge of specialized program functions and practices may be required, depending on area of assignment.
• Knowledge of general organization, purpose, and functions of County government agencies/departments.
• Knowledge of basic principles of mathematics, including percentages, means, medians and other elementary statistical measures may be required of some positions.
• Conducting research, compiling data and preparing complex financial analysis.
• Understanding of financial forecasting and projection techniques based on financial planning perspectives.
• Ability to comprehend, explain, and act upon state regulations and statues.
• Knowledge and ability to do video production such as editing and/or creating.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point

Strategic Thinking and Judgement | Analytical Skills

• Planning and leading the execution of operational procedures to ensure that projects and deadlines are met within a timely manner.
• Effectively analyzing problems and situations before taking corrective actions.
• Working independently to manage time wisely and to effectively prioritize multiple, competing tasks.
• Achieving expected quality and quantity of results, and appropriate focus on outcomes.
• Developing creative and innovative alternate solutions for management's consideration.

Problem Solving | Decision Making | Planning

• Knowledge of techniques for gathering, compiling, analyzing, and presenting information verbally and in writing.
• Ability to identify specific issues/problems; analyze problems in the context of available information and program constraints.
• Ability to review, evaluate and summarize in writing the evaluation of such data in terms of trends or general indications of possible problem areas.

Oral and Written Communication

• Ability to respond to public inquiries and complaints concerning technical issues, orally and in writing.
• Preparing and orally present program support information to various groups.
• Thorough knowledge of correct English usage for administrative writing requirements and oral presentations.
• Ability to write full reports regarding approach, data gathering, analysis, problem identification, alternatives, and recommend solutions.
• Ability to conduct yourself tactfully and empathetically with high quality customer service when dealing with challenging or frustrated customers.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services screens all application materials for minimum and desirable qualifications. After screening, candidates who meet the minimum and desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All candidates will be notified via email of their status in the process. Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed below may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure. Completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County may be required for some assignments.

Online Assessment (Weighted 100%): Candidates whose experience and education appear to best meet the needs of the department will be invited to participate in online examination(s) covering job-related competencies. Some components of this online assessment may be timed.

To access online practice tests, you may consider checking web sites such as the following:
https://www.jobtestprep.com/wonderlic-sample-test
https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List | Score Groups
Once all assessments have been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference Policy
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, ENVIRONMENTAL and WORKING CONDITIONS

In addition to the standard requirements and conditions listed for all positions, some assignments may require the additional physical and mental capabilities and/or the ability to work in the more diverse environmental conditions listed for some positions as indicated below.

Physical and Mental Requirements
Possess vision sufficient to read standard text and a computer monitor and to drive a vehicle; speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably in person to individuals and groups and over the telephone; possess body mobility to stand, sit, walk, stoop, and bend routinely to perform daily tasks and to access a standard office environment; repetitive and fine manipulation use of both hands; possess manual dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard, utilize standard office equipment, and the ability to write.

Depending on assignment, may be required to possess one or more of the following: the ability to climb, bend, stoop, twist, and reach overhead in rugged conditions to review/evaluate work; manual dexterity and bodily movement sufficient to operate various types of equipment in extreme conditions; simple to power grasping with both hands and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Possess the ability to independently reason logically to analyze data, reach conclusions, and make recommendations. Depending on assignment, may be required to possess the ability to handle emotional client situations effectively.

Environmental and Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with some travel to different sites; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends. Some assignments may require incumbents to work in a laboratory, clinical or field environment.

Depending on assignment, may be required to function in one or more of the following: uneven terrain, construction sites, inclement weather, heavily populated clinic or program settings with ill or highly emotional clientele.

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related requirements.The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and laws, regulations, and policies regarding COVID-19 are subject to change. The County of Orange is required to comply with all applicable State or County Public Health Orders, some of which require vaccination or testing as follows:

• Workers, who provide services in certain Medical or High-Risk Settings, will be required to provide proof of full vaccination from COVID-19 or to wear a mask and undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.

• Workers, who provide services in certain Health Care Facilities or in a correctional facility or detention center where health care is provided, will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated and boosted. (Workers may be exempt from this requirement based on religious beliefs or a qualifying medical reason; however, if exempted, they will be required to wear a mask and undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.)

The position for which you are applying may be required to adhere to any applicable State or County Public Health Orders. You will receive notification of any requirement as it applies to a position.
EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in your application and use only one email account.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Erika Alcazar at Erika.Alcazar@ocpw.ocgov.com or (714) 667-9609.

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays-we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.