Deputy Director of Public Works (Updated)
Department: The Department of Public Works provides comprehensive facility and infrastructure maintenance, solid waste collection (both contractually and in-house), traffic signage installation and maintenance, and capital project management. Contract-managed services may include residential solid waste collection, tree maintenance, landscaping, janitorial services, and engineering. The department performs other functions like street maintenance, tree trimming, snow removal, and weather response. The Department also maintains public spaces such as parks and municipal buildings. The Department manages contracts, implements projects, administers grants, and contributes to budgeting for capital projects and acquisitions. Staff members serve as first responders in emergencies, often requiring outdoor work in various weather conditions.
Role: The Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works is a senior-level management and administrative position responsible for the day-to-day operations and highly complex professional, technical, and organizational work. This includes providing leadership and ownership of all assigned programs and improvement activities affecting streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, municipal parks, grounds, and other public facilities; landscaping; vehicle and equipment maintenance; litter patrol; street sweeping; traffic control signage and capital projects. The role involves financial oversight, efficient resource allocation, and data-driven, progressive decision-making. The Deputy Director must be available for emergency response as required. The position demands a flexible schedule and strong leadership, especially during emergencies and significant weather events, as the Town heavily relies on the Deputy Director's expertise. Reporting to the Director of Public Projects and Services, the Deputy Director assumes the Director's duties in their absence.
This position may be filled as a mid-level Operations Manager at the Town’s sole discretion. An Operations Manager appointment is a term position not to exceed four (4) years. Note the duties, responsibilities, and required education, experience, and licensure/certification for each below.
If filled as an operations manager, the position is defined as a mid-level management and administrative position performing all core functions under both general and direct supervision. The Operations Manager assists the Director as assigned. The Operations Managers must be available for emergency response as required. The position requires core competencies and success in acquiring the skills, knowledge, talents, and abilities to advance to the Deputy Director position over time. The position requires availability, a flexible schedule, and strong leadership, especially during emergencies and significant weather events, as the Town heavily relies on the Operations Manager to run the day-to-day Department operations. Reporting to the Director of Public Projects and Services, the Deputy Director assists with some of the Director's duties in their absence.
An incumbent Operations Manager may be considered for full performance as a Deputy Director at the beginning of a fiscal year after both achieving the required experience, education, licensure/certifications, and at the recommendation of the Director of Public Projects and Services with the concurrence of the Director of Employee Services.
Supervision Received and Exercised: The Deputy Director of Public Projects and Services provides leadership and ownership of all assigned areas of responsibility and is expected to execute duties in accordance with law, Town policy, and best practices.
If filled as an Operations Manager, the director of public projects and services will provide general direction and situationally direct supervision to the position.
In both cases, the incumbent directly supervises team leaders and, indirectly, the maintenance technicians, seasonal employees, part-time employees, and contracted vendors as may be assigned.
