PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR RECRUITMENT

At the City of Champaign, we take our mission to provide responsive, caring service very seriously. We seek leaders for our organization who are not only highly accomplished in their fields, but also are deeply passionate about serving and being engaged with their community. We strive to have a leadership team and workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our city. Our executive hiring processes are designed to gather as much relevant information as possible in order to find the most highly qualified candidate that meets the needs, expectations, and values of our community.

The City of Champaign has launched a national search for the Public Works Director position. The recruitment profile below is provided as the City’s advertisement for the job opportunity. It serves as a “roadmap” that guides the rest of the process as we seek candidates whose experience and qualifications best align with the needs of our City. Thank you for considering a rewarding career opportunity with the City of Champaign.

— Dorothy Ann David, City Manager

The Public Works Director manages and directs all activities and personnel of the Champaign Public Works Department including development and maintenance of City-owned infrastructure, facilities and property, and vehicular equipment. The Director manages the maintenance of City infrastructure systems including pavements, alleys, sidewalks, sanitary sewers, storm sewers and stormwater management infrastructure, traffic signals, and City-owned streetlights. The Director is also responsible for implementation of the City’s Capital Improvement Program, design and construction of capital projects, and engineering review of private construction activities within the City. The Public Works Department provides specialized public services such as snow and ice control, parking system operation and maintenance, environmental quality control and recycling services, right-of-way vegetation maintenance, and utility coordination and location services. The Director has overall responsibility for the Department’s administrative functions such as fiscal administration, grants and contract management, and procurement, as well as media relations and community engagement.

The Director performs administrative and professional work in planning, directing, supervising, and coordinating all activities of the Public Works Department, exercising leadership over all public works’ functions of the City. The employee in this position directs a variety of specialized activities through the direction of the Administrative Services, Engineering, and Operations Divisions. The work requires considerable discretion within the framework of established Federal, State and local laws, ordinances and policies. This position reports directly to the City Manager and works with the City Manager to implement City ordinances, policies and services at the policy direction of the City Council. The Director consults with the City Manager with respect to general policies, programs, plans and objectives for the Department. The Director is expected to demonstrate initiative and good judgment, and generally function independently of direct supervision with respect to operational procedures and management practices. Work also includes ensuring the proper training, assignment and discipline of all department employees. The Public Works Director has technical independence in administering the activities of the department and is responsible for internal policy and control.

• Leads, plans, directs, and supervises all work of the Public Works Department; schedules and assigns work; establishes priorities; ensures that personnel are assigned to shifts or work units to provide optimal effectiveness in delivering department services, responding to emergencies, and addressing emerging community issues.
• Formulates and enforces rules, regulations, policies and procedures in compliance with Federal, State and local laws; develops department policies and employee performance standards in accordance with City Council expectations as directed by the City Manager.
• Consults with and acts as a technical advisor to the City Manager, City Council, and other City department heads on matters related to public works and engineering programs, projects, and services; ensures that the City Manager and City Council members are informed of all departmental concerns, problems, and related issues as appropriate.
• Manages the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, and priorities; develops comprehensive short- and long-range plans to ensure effective delivery of services and promotion of community safety and quality of life.
• Oversees engineering functions; reviews and approve technical plans, drawings, papers, reports and specifications; interprets technical materials; directs construction, maintenance, and project management activities.
• Takes proactive measures to recruit, hire and retain a highly qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of the community.
• Trains, develops, and evaluates assigned personnel; ensures the training of staff in correct work methods, procedures, policies and laws; provides mentoring and career development opportunities; takes measures to promote the health, safety and well-being of department employees.
• Promotes a positive work environment characterized by open communications, transparency, collaboration, and cooperative labor-management relations; correctly and effectively administers collective bargaining agreements.
• Ensures City and department policies, rules, regulations, work methods and procedures are followed; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures as necessary.
• Investigates employee grievances and alleged violations of City and department policies; establishes and administers a process to respond to concerns and complaints by members of the public and takes appropriate actions.
• Maintains ultimate authority and accountability for all fiscal matters and financial operations of the Public Works Department; oversees preparation of the department budget and Capital Improvements Plan for City Manager and City Council consideration and approval; operates the department within approved budget authority and ensures expenditures are made in compliance with City purchasing policies and ordinances, including the Equal Opportunity in Purchasing Ordinance.
• Communicates and cooperates with other municipal, State, and Federal agencies in the construction of public infrastructure and delivery of public services; coordinates activities with other agencies and City departments as needed to achieve effective operations; provides assistance to neighboring governments per mutual aid agreements.
• Coordinates with Fire, Police, and EMS providers and other departments or agencies for effective emergency response to significant events such as snow and ice storms, other weather-related events, hazardous materials emergencies, etc.; participates in community-wide emergency/disaster preparedness plans and activities.
• Serves as a highly visible leader who is actively engaged with the community; maintains a current and accurate understanding of community issues and concerns; seeks community input into department services; develops plans and procedures for effective response to community needs.
• Maintains high standards for customer-service within the department; ensures timely and respectful responses to requests from members of the public for information and services.
• Serves as the face of the Department, positively representing the City in all interactions with governmental and University officials, outside agencies, neighborhood groups, members of the public, and City employees; develops and maintains positive rapport with officials, community leaders and the general public.
• Attends and makes presentations at City Council meetings and other public meetings to represent the department; participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents related staff reports and communications.
• Performs a variety of public relations and engagement duties; answers questions, addresses concerns, and provides information to the public, civic organizations, neighborhood groups, businesses, and the media; partners with community groups and outside agencies to promote community safety and quality of life.
• Communicates clearly, professionally and effectively with elected officials, employees, external agencies and members of the public verbally and in writing; prepares and reviews reports, departmental correspondence and other documents for accuracy, clarity and tone.
• Participates in professional associations and groups; stays abreast of new trends, technologies and innovations in the fields of public works, infrastructure design, construction and maintenance, and public safety.
• Applies data and performance metrics to the evaluation of department services and the identification of community needs.

• Comprehensive knowledge of best practices and current trends in public works management and public administration.
• Comprehensive knowledge of laws and proper procedures, methods, and techniques in infrastructure construction and maintenance, right-of-way management, environmental services and general public works service delivery.
• Knowledge of the principles of civil and environmental engineering, design, and construction, particularly as applied to municipal functions.
• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of planning and scheduling public works operations, infrastructure construction, and maintenance.
• Ability to correctly interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations; ability to make decisions in accordance with applicable laws and policies; skill in exercising good judgment.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and execute a work program consistent with the mission of the organization in a responsive, timely and cost-effective manner.
• Demonstrated experience in successful project management, including long-range planning.
• Experience overseeing complex budgets and procurement, including grants and contract administration.
• Proficiency in data analysis techniques and experience in applying metrics measures and data-driven performance evaluation to public services.
• Skill in responding courteously and informatively to requests from members of the public for service or information.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with government officials, businesses, neighborhood and community groups, and the general public.
• Experience leading engagement with a diverse community and being responsive to the needs of a diverse customer clientele.
• Knowledge of principles of personnel management in a union environment; ability to correctly interpret and apply provisions of collective bargaining agreements.
• Demonstrated proficiency in recruiting, hiring, supervising, training, evaluating and disciplining employees.
• Ability to foster a positive, collaborative, inclusive, and respectful work environment with a diverse staff.
• Ability to plan, schedule, coordinate and supervise the work of a large organization, including multiple subordinate supervisors.
• Ability to provide high-level oversight to multiple work activities and projects simultaneously.
• Good knowledge of safety precautions necessary in public works operations and automotive repair work.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including communications to elected officials, employees and the public, including responding courteously to requests for information and services.

• Cognitive abilities to successfully accomplish illustrative examples of work.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and other office equipment, hand strength to grasp files and other objects, and to perceive the attributes of objects by touch.
• Vision: Ability to see in the normal vision range, with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; ability to visually inspect work in progress.
• Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening; ability to hear in the normal audio range, with or without correction.
• Motor Coordination: Frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach.
• Environmental Factors: Standard office setting.
• Normal working hours: Flexible 40-hour work week. Emergency response may require 24-hour call out. Outside exposure in various weather conditions.
• Extended periods of time at keyboard or workstation.
• Regular attendance required.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil or environmental engineering, construction management, urban planning, public administration, or closely related field.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public works functions, in a comparably sized municipal, State, or Federal organization, at least five of which must be in a managerial or supervisory capacity.
• Experience working in multi-racial, multi-cultural urban communities with demonstrated success in serving a diverse population.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job.

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil or environmental engineering, construction management, urban planning, public administration, or closely related field or a combination of equivalent education, training, and experience.
• Completion of public works leadership training, such as the Illinois Public Service Institute, APWA Public Works Institute, or similar program.
• Certification or certificate of completed training or professional development in racial or multicultural studies; diversity, equity, and inclusion; or similar area of study.
• Two or more years of leading municipal functions in a comparably sized organization at the level of department head or assistant/deputy department head.
• Leadership or management experience directing multiple divisions in a union environment.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the preferred knowledge, skills and abilities for the position will be considered.

• Possession of a valid state-issued driver’s license and a safe driving record as determined by the City’s Risk Manager. A driving record check of the past five (5) years will be reviewed and evaluated based on the following factors:
– The length of time since the violation;
– The number of violations that appear on the driving record;
– The nature and severity of the violation and its relationship to the safety and security of others
• Residency within the City of Champaign’s corporate limits is required within six (6) months of appointment.
• Ability to pass a post-offer criminal history record check and drug screening.