Salary : $137,800.00 - $175,860.00 Annually
Location : Brawley, CA
Job Type: Contract EE
Job Number:
Department: Public Works
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 07/22/2026
Closing Date: 8/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

BASIC FUNCTION:
Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides executive leadership and administrative oversight for all functions and activities of the Public Works Operations Department, including the City's Engineering Division, public works operations, and water and wastewater utility operations.
Provides executive leadership for the City's public infrastructure systems by directing the planning, development, operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, replacement, and long-term stewardship of municipal infrastructure in support of the City's strategic priorities, fiscal sustainability, and community needs.
Coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; 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 City Manager or designee in areas of expertise; and performs related duties, as assigned.
The Public Works Operations Department is responsible for the planning, operation, maintenance, management, and continuous improvement of the city's public infrastructure systems and includes, but is not limited to, the following functional areas:
1. Engineering Division;
2. Capital Improvement Program (CIP);
3. Development engineering and engineering review of public and private development projects;
4. Water treatment, distribution, and storage systems;
5. Wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal systems;
6. Streets, sidewalks, storm drainage, traffic control devices, and public rights-of-way;
7. Solid waste operations and environmental compliance;
8. Public infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement;
9. Asset management and long-range infrastructure planning; and
10. Other related public works operations as assigned.
Examples of Duties

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives administrative direction from the City Manager or assigned management staff. The work provides for a wide variety of independent decision-making within legal, general policy, and regulatory guidelines. Exercises general direction and supervision over Departmental management, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a Department Director classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Public Works Operations Department, including the Engineering Division, public works operations, water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment and collection, capital improvement projects, engineering review, construction management, and the City's short- and long-range infrastructure planning and operational functions.
The position is responsible for the planning, development, administration, and continuous improvement of departmental policies, procedures, programs, and services. As a member of the City's executive management team, the Director participates in organization-wide strategic planning, collaborates with other departments to advance Citywide initiatives, and provides policy recommendations and technical expertise to the City Manager, or designee, on matters involving public infrastructure, utilities, capital investment, regulatory compliance, and operational priorities.
This classification provides executive-level assistance and support to the City Manager, or designee, in a variety of administrative, operational, engineering, analytical, and strategic planning capacities, and serves as a liaison with City departments, elected officials, regulatory agencies, consultants, developers, and the public.
Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, municipal government administration, public works operations, engineering principles, utilities management, capital improvement programming, and the role of an elected City council. The incumbent exercises a high degree of independent judgment, political acumen, and professional discretion in developing and implementing departmental programs, policies, and strategic initiatives.
Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the Department with those of other City departments, regional agencies, regulatory organizations, and community stakeholders; managing and overseeing the Department's diverse operational and engineering functions; developing long-range infrastructure and asset management strategies; identifying and pursuing grant and alternative funding opportunities; promoting organizational excellence and continuous improvement; and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and exceptional public service. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental goals and objectives while advancing the City's strategic priorities within established policy, fiscal, legal, and regulatory guidelines.
Typical Qualifications

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodation so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
The Department Director assumes full management responsibility for all Public Works Operations Department programs, services, and activities, including the Engineering Division, the City's Public Works Operations functions, water and wastewater utilities operations, capital improvement projects, engineering review, construction management, and public infrastructure planning.

• Provides strategic leadership for the Department by developing long-range infrastructure, utility, and operational master plans; establishing departmental goals, performance measures, and service standards; evaluating organizational performance; leading continuous improvement initiatives; and developing succession planning strategies to ensure organizational sustainability and operational excellence.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the Department's annual operating and capital improvement budgets; directs, in coordination with the Finance Department, the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of, and approves, Departmental expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
• Identifies, develops, and pursues competitive grant funding opportunities and alternative funding sources for capital improvements, infrastructure rehabilitation, equipment, and operational initiatives; oversees grant administration and ensures compliance with all applicable grant requirements, reporting obligations, and funding conditions.
• In cooperation with the Human Resources Department, selects, trains, motivates, and directs Department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with Department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Fosters a high-performing organizational culture by mentoring and developing management and supervisory staff, promoting accountability and innovation, encouraging professional development, and implementing best management practices throughout the Department.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the Department's service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
• Directs and supervises the Engineering Division, including engineering staff, consultants, and contract engineers; oversees engineering review of public and private development projects, subdivision improvements, capital improvement projects, construction management, engineering studies, and related engineering activities.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including long-range infrastructure planning, project development, engineering design, consultant management, construction administration, funding strategies, grant coordination, and interdepartmental collaboration to ensure projects support the City's strategic objectives.
• Oversees the City's infrastructure asset management program, including lifecycle planning, condition assessments, replacement forecasting, maintenance prioritization, capital investment planning, and long-term infrastructure sustainability.
• Evaluates the need for and develops, plans, and schedules for long-term public works and utilities maintenance and improvement programs; organizes available resources for the maintenance, improvement, and repair of public works facilities, City equipment, water and wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, water reservoirs, and other related facilities; compiles estimates, contract provisions, and specifications.
• Confers with engineers, developers, architects, contractors, regulatory agencies, consultants, and the public regarding engineering, capital improvement, utility, infrastructure, and development-related matters; provides technical guidance and coordinates engineering activities with other City departments.
• Ensures Department compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, permits, and industry standards governing public works, utilities, engineering, environmental compliance, and public infrastructure, including requirements of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, State Water Resources Control Board, Caltrans, FEMA, CEQA, NPDES, OSHA, and other applicable regulatory agencies.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for engineering, construction management, operations, maintenance and other professional services; the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals; recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and administers consultant agreements related to Public Works Operations, Engineering and Maintenance.
• 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.
• Advises the City Council and City Manager regarding public infrastructure priorities, capital improvement planning, utility operations, regulatory compliance, and departmental initiatives; prepares and presents complex staff reports, technical analyses, policy recommendations, and operational updates to the City Council, boards, commissions, and other governing bodies.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public works and municipal utilities maintenance, operations, and other services as they relate to the area of assignment.
• Maintains and directs the maintenance and retention of working and official Departmental files.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect City or Departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned.
• Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Represents the City before neighborhood groups, business organizations, professional associations, developers, consultants, regulatory agencies, community stakeholders, and the public; develops collaborative partnerships and promotes effective communication regarding public works programs, infrastructure projects, and departmental initiatives.
• Serves as a key member of the City's emergency management organization and provides executive leadership for Public Works Operations during emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and continuity of operations; coordinates Department resources during declared emergencies and ensures compliance with applicable emergency management requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supplemental Information

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of executive leadership, organizational development, change management, employee engagement, succession planning, and performance management.
• Organizational and managerial practices as applied to the development, implementation, analysis, evaluation, and continuous improvement of projects, programs, policies, procedures, performance measures, and operational needs within a municipal public works environment.
• Public agency budget development, financial management, capital improvement programming, public procurement, contract administration, grant administration, state and federal funding programs, Citywide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• The principles and practices of municipal government administration.
• The principles and practices of municipal public works operations, utilities enterprise operations, maintenance management, asset management, infrastructure lifecycle planning, utility system operations, and long-term maintenance and capital investment planning.
• Principles and practices of municipal engineering, p