Assistant DPW Director

Westfielddevelopment; Westfield (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Westfield is seeking an Assistant Director of Public Works to lead departmental operations, coordinate cross-division activities, and help advance capital plans and budgets. The role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and a solid grasp of municipal regulations.

You will work under the Director and supervise staff, guiding safety programs and ensuring efficient service delivery to residents, businesses, and city operations.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of general management practices and personnel management.
• Ability to deal with governmental agencies and public sector regulations.
• Experience with budget development and procurement processes.
• Familiarity with safety and environmental compliance in municipal operations.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director in the administration and operation of the Public Works Department.
• Coordinate activities among divisions to optimize personnel, equipment, and facilities.
• Assist in developing short- and long-term departmental work plans and capital programs.
• Monitor workload, staffing, schedules, and performance of the department.
• Identify deficiencies and recommend policy, staffing, or method improvements.
• Support budgeting, purchasing, and contract oversight in line with city policies.

Skills

Public works leadership

Budgeting & procurement

Regulatory compliance

Emergency planning

Job description

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Job Opportunities

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GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the general direction of the Director of Public Works, the Assistant Director is responsible for assisting in the administration, management, coordination, and oversight of the operations of the Public Works Department. The position provides leadership and direction to department personnel, coordinates work among divisions, monitors departmental programs and projects, assists with budget and procurement activities, ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and safety requirements, and assists the Director in planning and implementing departmental goals and priorities. The Assistant Director serves as Acting Director when designated or authorized by the Director and performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Assistant Director reports directly to the Director of Public Works and exercises department-wide administrative and operational authority as delegated by the Director. The position provides direct and indirect supervision of department personnel through Deputy Superintendents, Superintendents, Foremen and other supervisory personnel. The Assistant Director is responsible for coordinating activities among divisions to ensure efficient use of personnel, equipment and resources.

The Assistant Director is expected to operate within the parameters of good judgement, established business practices, City policies and procedures and the law.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the Director in the overall administration and operation of the Public Works Department.
• Coordinates activities among Public Works divisions to promote efficient use of personnel, equipment, facilities and financial resources.
• Assists in developing short- and long-term departmental work plans, operational priorities and capital improvement programs.
• Monitors departmental workload, staffing levels, schedules and operational performance.
• Identifies operational deficiencies and recommends improvements to policies, procedures, staffing, equipment and work methods.
• Assists the Director in establishing departmental goals, performance measures and service standards.
• Supervises, directly or indirectly, Public Works personnel; assigns and coordinates work; monitors employee performance; assists with hiring, promotion, discipline, evaluations, training and other personnel actions in accordance with City policies and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Works with division Superintendents to address personnel issues.
• Identifies training needs and coordinates professional development.
• Promotes employee accountability and adherence to departmental policies.
• Ensures adequate staffing and succession planning for critical operations.
• Assists in preparation and administration of the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Monitors expenditures and commitments against approved budgets.
• Reviews purchase requests, invoices, contracts and expenditures for compliance with budgetary and procurement requirements.
• Evaluates projects and purchases based on cost, operational need, life-cycle costs and available funding.
• Assists the Purchasing Department and Director with the procurement of vehicles, equipment, materials, professional services and construction services; prepares or reviews specifications, bid documents and scopes of work; evaluates proposals and vendor qualifications; and verifies that purchased goods and services meet specifications and contractual requirements.
• Oversees contractors and consultants performing work for the Department and monitors compliance with contract specifications, schedules, budgets, safety requirements and applicable laws and regulations.
• Assists in the development and implementation of asset management programs for municipal infrastructure, facilities, vehicles and equipment; evaluates condition, remaining useful life, maintenance requirements and replacement needs; and assists in prioritizing capital improvements based on condition, risk, service needs and available funding.
• Plans for and responds to emergencies affecting Public Works operations, including severe weather, snow, ice, flooding, water and sewer emergencies, major infrastructure failures, hazardous materials incidents, power outages and other emergencies. Coordinates Public Works resources with the Police, Fire, Emergency Management and other City departments as necessary.
• Serves as departmental liaison to Local Emergency Planning Committee of the City; participates in training events and meetings related thereto. Responsible for the implementation of all department safety policies and procedures.
• Oversees implementation of departmental safety policies and procedures; promotes a department-wide culture of workplace safety; ensures that supervisors address identified hazards; assists with safety training; reviews workplace accidents and injuries; and recommends corrective measures to reduce future incidents.
• Oversees the effective use and maintenance of departmental technology and communications systems, including SCADA, radio communications, GPS/vehicle tracking, work-order systems, GIS, asset management systems and other operational technology.
• Assists with the development of plans, specifications, estimates, scopes of work and project schedules for construction, maintenance and repair projects.
• Responds to and assists in resolving inquiries, complaints and service requests from residents, businesses, elected officials and other stakeholders; communicates departmental policies and operational requirements in a professional and courteous manner; and assists the Director with public presentations and community outreach.
• Monitors departmental operations for compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, permits, policies and standards, including requirements related to environmental protection, public health, workplace safety, water and wastewater operations, stormwater, solid waste and public infrastructure.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY

Knowledge of general business practices and personnel management. Ability to deal with appropriate governmental agencies. General knowledge of administrative and management practices and Federal, State, and Municipal regulations.

Must possess knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws relating to Public Works, Water and Wastewater Treatment operations including knowledge of administration, supervision, promotion and emergency operating procedures.

Familiarity with environmental protection issues as they relate to Public Works, Water and Wastewater operations including wildlife and vegetation protection as well as water resource