Assistant Director of Public Works (Engineering)

Description

Under general direction, this position performs advanced supervisory, mentoring, and administrative work to lead and manage the Engineering Division within the Department of Public Works. Responsibilities include directing operations, coordinating cross-functional efforts, and developing and executing strategic plans to support departmental goals.

This role requires a minimum of 25% field presence and demands a high level of energy, responsiveness, and accountability. The position emphasizes consistent follow-up, strong leadership, and effective staff development.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Department Oversight

• Serve as Acting Director of Public Works in the Director’s absence, assuming full operational responsibility for the department.
• Represent the City and/or Public Works in meetings, presentations, and public forums, including City Council, City Manager briefings, HOA/civic groups, contractors, and internal departments.
• Engage with citizens and stakeholders to address concerns and communicate initiatives.
• Provide leadership in committees, organizations, and cross-functional teams, including those outside the technical engineering field.

Strategic Planning & Administration

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to improve efficiency and ensure alignment with industry best practices.
• Establish, review, and update policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the division.
• Prepare and manage the division’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and annual operating budget, including long-range (5–10 year) planning.
• Monitor budget execution and make timely, informed funding decisions based on current financial conditions.

Operations & Program Management

• Oversee and manage Public Works capital improvement projects, including workload prioritization and staff coordination.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Stormwater Quality Management Program to ensure compliance with NPDES permit requirements.
• Manage and supervise key functional areas, including:
• Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)
• Land Acquisition
• Traffic Division (engineering, planning, signals, signage, pavement markings, in-house operations, and contracts)
• Ensure effective review of new development projects for compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
• Maintain working knowledge of VDOT project funding programs, applications, and processes.

Emergency Management

• Oversee, manage, and execute emergency management operations, including responses to significant weather and other critical events.
• Provide timely briefings and updates to the City Manager, including situational assessments and recommended courses of action.
• Serve in a key leadership (“alpha”) role during emergency response activities.

Work Environment & Expectations

• Regular fieldwork (minimum 25%) is required.
• Position requires availability during emergencies and critical events.
• High expectations for leadership, initiative, communication, and accountability.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not speci fi cally spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field with a minimum of six to nine years of civil engineering experience involving the management of division operations, division budget, and engineering projects ; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must hold a Professional Engineer license (Reciprocity to the Commonwealth of Virginia within 6 months, if applicable) . Requires a valid driver's license.