Assistant Public Works Director

JOB TITLE: Assistant Public Works Director

AGENCY: City of Los Banos

LOCATION: Los Banos, CA

FILING DEADLINE:  August 15, 2025

SALARY RANGE:  $131,652 - $168,036 Annually D.O.E.

THE POSITION

Essential duties and required skills include but may not be limited to the following:

• Leadership, Management, and Personnel Development: The Assistant Public Works Director provides daily oversight and strategic leadership for all divisions within the Public Works Department. This includes setting goals, developing work plans, assigning projects, and evaluating performance. They are responsible for hiring, training, motivating, and evaluating staff, as well as implementing professional development and performance improvement plans. In the absence of the Public Works Director/City Engineer, they serve as acting director.
• Planning, Policy, and Program Development: This role involves formulating and implementing long-range and immediate plans aligned with the City’s objectives. The Assistant Director develops and updates City standards, policies, and procedures related to traffic control, infrastructure, and public works. They also prepare technical reports, economic analyses, and fee schedules, and contribute to the development of revenue programs to recover service costs.
• Customer Service and Community Engagement: Building and maintaining positive relationships with the public, developers, and City staff is essential. The Assistant Director ensures high standards of customer service from themselves and all public works employees and represents the department in public forums and community discussions.
• Capital Improvement and Project Management: The Assistant Director oversees the City’s capital improvement plan, ensuring projects meet scope, schedule, and budget. They manage construction contracts, coordinate with consultants, and conduct field reviews. Responsibilities include transitioning projects from construction to operations, maintaining construction records, and ensuring compliance with City standards.
• Interdepartmental and Interagency Coordination: The Assistant Director collaborates with other City departments and external agencies to implement programs, resolve issues, and align objectives. They participate in meetings and discussions to address potential problems and ensure smooth coordination across functions.
• Development Review and Asset Management: They review development proposals, negotiate developer and reimbursement agreements, and ensure proper transfer of easements and assets to the City. The role includes overseeing inspection services, managing fee collection, and monitoring development activities to protect City interests.
• Budgeting and Financial Oversight: Engineering, Design, and Technical Support: The role includes reviewing and revising plans and specifications, conducting traffic engineering and transportation planning studies, and preparing traffic control plans. They also ensure that public and private projects comply with laws and sound engineering practices.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for the Assistant Public Works Director role is a dynamic, hands-on leader with a strong foundation in public works operations and a passion for day-to-day management. This individual thrives in a fast-paced environment, adeptly navigating a wide range of personalities and fostering strong working relationships across departments and with the community. They are committed to increasing their presence in the field and within the organization, serving as a stabilizing force and a reliable point of contact for staff and stakeholders alike.

This candidate brings a practical, solutions-oriented mindset, with the technical knowledge and initiative to take ownership of projects. They are comfortable rolling up their sleeves and leading by example, while also possessing the budgetary acumen necessary to manage resources effectively and support long-term planning.

Recognizing the challenges of organizational change, the ideal candidate is skilled in relationship management and guiding teams through transitions with empathy and clarity. They are particularly focused on building trust, communicating transparently, and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability. This position offers an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional to deepen their operational expertise and make a lasting impact on the community.

LOS BANOS COMMUNITY

We’re very proud of our family-oriented community, which has maintained a small-town atmosphere while accommodating thriving residential and economic growth. Centrally located at the “Crossroads of California,” Los Banos is much more than meets the eye. From bird watching to water skiing, fishing to elk watching, Los Banos offers thousands of acres of recreational fun and enjoyment opportunities for the young and young at heart. The City of Los Banos, population 48,213, is situated on the west side of Merced County and is the county’s second largest city. The City is conveniently located in the center of California and is about two hours from the cities of San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento, as well as Yosemite National Park. California’s Monterey Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean are accessible in one and a half hours, as well as the Valley’s major cities of Stockton and Fresno. The Silicon Valley is just over an hour’s drive away.

For more details about this opportunity, please visit the job brochure at: https://koffassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Los-Banos-Assistant-PW-Director-1.pdf.

To be considered, please electronically submit your resume, cover letter and a list of five professional references (references will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/los-banos-asst-pwd/. Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held, detailing experience, and demonstrated career accomplishments relevant to this position along with the application.

For additional information please contact:

Chelsea Freeman

(510) 570-3844

Chelsea_Freeman@ajg.com

Website: https://koffassociates.com/

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