Deputy Director - Public Works Operations and Maintenance

Position Information

The City of Chico is seeking one well-qualified candidate to fill the position of Deputy Director of Public Works-Operations and Maintenance. The ideal candidate will have a wide range of experience and knowledge working in a municipal or equivalent environment and handling an extensive range of projects in the public sector. The City of Chico Public Works-Operations and Maintenance Department consists of Street Cleaning, Vehicle Maintenance, Building Maintenance/Pallet Shelter, Right of Way/Storm Drains, Parking Facility Maintenance, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Underground/Sewer, Parks/Recreation Facilities, Street Trees, and Airport divisions.

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the staff and operations of a division within the Public Works Department; provides administrative oversight of day-to-day activities including the implementation and administration of City-wide policies and programs and the establishment and enforcement of departmental policies and procedures; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments, and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the Director of Public Works in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

Job Description

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives administrative direction from the Director of Public Works. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.
This is a deputy department director classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of an assigned division within the Public Works Department including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the Director of Public Works in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, City functions and activities, including the role of the City Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, and for furthering City goals and objectives within general policy guidelines. This class is distinguished from the Director of Public Works in that the latter has overall management responsibility for all public works programs, functions, and activities, and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.

Examples of Typical Job Functions (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assumes management responsibility for an assigned division within the Public Works Department including staff, programs, services, operations, and activities; serves in an acting capacity during the absence of the Director of Public Works.
• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the department; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Manages the development and administration of the annual budget and capital improvement budgets for the department; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees on performance issues; responds to staff questions and concerns; makes discipline recommendations to the Director of Public Works.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with the Director; directs the implementation of improvements.
• Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Participates in and makes presentations to the City Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering and other types of public works services.
• Directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the Director of Public Works.
• Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Serves as a spokesperson for the department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

When assigned to Capital Projects Division:

• Participates in capital improvement project (CIP) planning activities; provides input into the conceptual design of engineering projects; investigates and resolves problems with scope of work or cost issues of major facility upgrade and replacement projects.
• Manages and directs the development of construction and modernization plans for the City; meets with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating engineering matters; provides information regarding City development requirements.

When assigned to Public Works Infrastructure Maintenance:

• Assumes management responsibility for the maintenance and repair of City infrastructure including streets, traffic signals, streetlights, signs, parking meters, storm drains and sewer collection systems, wastewater treatment plant, graffiti eradication, coordination and management of unauthorized occupant camp clean ups, and maintenance district activities related to Public Works right-of-way.
• Schedules, organizes, and directs the staff involved in street, curb, gutter, sewer, storm drain, traffic, parking system, facilities and related maintenance and repair work; estimates and schedules work to be done and the quantities of material needed; requisitions and purchases materials and supplies; inspects work projects in progress and upon completion; responds to and directs emergency situations.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision;
• Principles and practices of leadership;
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly;
• Principles and practices of strategic plan development;
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration;
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management;
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area;
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures;
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility;
• Functions, authority, and responsibilities of an elected City Council;
• Methods, materials, and techniques employed in public works construction projects;
• Federal and state transportation funding policies, procedures, and mechanisms;
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned division;
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence;
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations;
• Research methods and techniques;
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility;
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols;
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff;
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar;
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

When assigned to Capital Projects Division:

• Principles and practices of engineering and administration as applied to the design and construction of public works facilities and technical inspection services.

When assigned to Public Works Infrastructure Maintenance:

• Modern and complex principles, practices, methods, equipment, and materials involved in street maintenance, sewer maintenance, street signs, traffic, underground, wastewater treatment, and safety devices;
• Characteristics and uses of asphalt, concrete, and other paving materials;
• Public Contract Code.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, strategic plans, and work standards;
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the Department;
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner;
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards relevant to work performed;
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility;
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner;
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with contractual obligations;
• Coordinate and direct public works projects and programs;
• Interpret and explain City programs policies and procedures;
• Write grant applications and appropriately administer grant programs;
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed;
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods;
• Oversee and participate in the management of comprehensive public works administration;
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner;
• Effectively represent the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals;
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials;
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports;
• Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems;
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments;
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines;
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax;
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;

When assigned to Public Works Infrastructure Maintenance:

• Coordinate a variety of skilled tasks in public works maintenance;
• Read and interpret plans and specifications;
• Estimate time, materials, and equipment needed to perform maintenance and repair work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field.

Experience:

• Six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering or public works infrastructure maintenance experience, including three (3) years in a management or supervisory capacity.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
• For some incumbents, possession of a valid registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) issued by the State of California, to be maintained throughout employment.

Additional Information

Physical Demands

When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaginga weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

Environmental Conditions

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The City of Chico offers a wide range of employee benefits. Benefits are subject to negotiations with employee organizations and may vary with individual bargaining units. For a summary of benefits, please visit the City of Chico website at: City of Chico - Employee Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 1/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Chico

• 530-879-7905

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