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City of Aiken

Engineering & Utilities Director

City of Aiken, Aiken, South Carolina, United States, 29805

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Responsibilities

Oversees the routine operations and ongoing coordination of the Engineering & Utilities Department, to facilitate open communication/timely response, and a teamwork approach to routine requests from local citizens/key stakeholders, City Council, City Management and other departments, as well as E&U department staff, in accordance with federal/state regulations and City codes/policies/procedures/design standards, where applicable

Provides direct and/or indirect supervision to department staff, administrative & support, field operation and extended Consultant staff, as well as temporary labor personnel; interviews and makes hiring recommendations; plans, schedules and assigns work; ensures staff is instructed in accordance with Human Resources (HR) policies and procedures; ensures workers are trained in safe operation of equipment; monitors and inspects work in progress to ensure continuity and timely completion of work; reviews and evaluates employee performance; meets with lead supervisors/managers/other key staff to review and evaluate existing services and projects, plan and implement new services and projects, and review the status of existing work; meets with entire department, to provide important organizational/departmental updates and to address any questions/concerns

Keeps the City Manager and City Council informed of the department's activities and issues; attends City Council and Department Head meetings; coordinates and conducts staff meetings and team building sessions with department leads/key staff and field employees as appropriate

Coordinates with key staff to evaluate and identify present/future budgetary needs, establish priorities, formulate long/short range strategic plans, and research/develop/implement new strategies, for City Manager/Council review/approval, to maximize operational efficiency and minimize cost within the department

Coordinates with key staff to manage the budget for the department, including the General Fund, Water and Sewer, and Storm water Enterprise Funds. Engineering oversees projects funded by Road Maintenance/Transportation & Public Safety Improvement Funds, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Fund and Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST) Funds, and incumbent monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with those budgets Prepare/present the annual operating and capital budget, for City Manager/Council review/approval.

Coordinates with the department leads/other key staff to ensure department compliance with all applicable federal/state regulations/laws and City codes/rules/policies/procedures/design standards, where applicable, as well as established safety procedures; to develop/implement new policies/procedures, as needed, for City Manager/Council review/approval; and to initiate the appropriate action necessary to correct deviations or violations

Serves as #5 emergency point of contact (EPOC) for the Public Works department, during emergency events, in order to provide a coordinated emergency response effort across all divisions, in the safest/most efficient manner possible

Other Responsibilities

Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with other City departments, outside vendors, community leaders, and the general public; works with various agencies and professional organizations; meets with the public to respond to questions and resolve issues concerning department-related requests; participates in public involvement and other partnering activities within the community, to foster shared interest between the department and the citizens/key stakeholders

Attends and conducts meetings upon request, as appropriate; attends trainings/seminars/webinars, and reviews relevant materials, in order to maintain a working knowledge of current practices within the industry

Provides assistance to the public/local citizens and other departments, as well as internal department staff, as needed, to resolve issues in the most cost effective/timely manner possible; performs a cursory review of plans/specifications/estimates (PS&E package), and approves bids for construction contracts, as well as professional services proposals for Consultant contracts; approves routine purchases for capital improvement projects/other related items; serves on selection committees for request for proposal (RFP) and/or qualification (RFQ) packages

Coordinates with the appropriate staff to prepare reports, paperwork, and other documents for the department, including recommendation memos and project updates for City Council meetings; as well as maintain and update records and manuals

Acts as staff liaison to City Council and Committees

Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Graduation from an ABET-accredited Institution with a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering, or an approved acceptable educational equivalence in accordance with the requirements as set forth by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCLLR) Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors as it pertains to Professional Engineers. Professional Engineer’s (P.E.) license is preferred

Acceptable educational equivalence includes Bachelor's degree in Business or Public Administration, or related field from an accredited Institution. Master's degree preferred

Seven years management experience, including four years supervisory experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Knowledge of project management principles and practices necessary to develop and deliver complex programs is preferred

Valid state driver's license and a satisfactory motor vehicle record

Professional knowledge of the principles and practices of Public Works administration and operation as normally acquired through completion of a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration business or a related field, or equivalent years of training and experience

A very high level of analytical skills necessary in order to develop and implement department mission, goals and procedures; determine needs for capital expenditures, personnel and operating budgets; and prepare special reports or analyses for jurisdiction or outside agencies

An advanced level of interpersonal skills necessary in order to provide effective leadership to subordinate personnel as well as to develop cooperative working relationships with employees, senior management, elected officials and vendors supplying goods or services to the jurisdiction

Significant ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail for up to 60% of work time in reviewing, preparing and presenting budgets, reading and writing reports, or representing department at in-house or outside public meetings

This position is subject to a criminal background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate. The City of Aiken is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug-free workplace.

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