Chief of Staff

DC Department of Human Resources; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) seeks a senior executive advisor and strategic partner to the Director. The role provides leadership, coordination, and oversight to advance the department’s mission and priorities, translating the Director’s vision into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes.

The incumbent will serve as a principal liaison across divisions, agencies, and external partners, guiding policy decisions, performance tracking, and interagency collaboration to improve

Responsibilities

• Acts as senior executive advisor to the Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW).
• Provides leadership, coordination, and oversight to advance the Department’s mission and priorities.
• Advises on operations, policy, budget, workforce, and cross‑functional initiatives; translates vision into plans.

Job description

Job Summary

This position is located in the Department of Public Works (DPW). The mission of the Department of Public Works (DPW) is to provide the highest quality sanitation, parking enforcement, and fleet management services that are both ecologically sound and cost-effective.

Duties And Responsibilities

The incumbent is responsible for serving as a senior executive advisor and strategic partner to the Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW), providing leadership, coordination, and oversight to advance the Department’s mission, strategic priorities, and operational objectives. The incumbent acts as a principal liaison between the Director, Deputy Directors, Division Leadership, Government Agencies, elected officials, labor representatives, community stakeholders, and external partners. Advises the Director on operations, priorities, organizational effectiveness, policy, and emerging issues; analyzes and recommends actions affecting service delivery, workforce, budget, infrastructure, fleet, facilities, and public operations; and translates the Director’s vision into strategies, plans, timelines, and measurable outcomes. Anticipates operational, organizational, political, and reputational risks, recommends mitigation, helps establish departmental goals, performance expectations, and leadership accountability, and exercise delegated authority in accordance with established policies and procedures. Works with deputy directors and division heads to monitor performance, resolve service delivery issues, and maintain executive reporting on performance indicators, strategic initiatives, trends, and action items. Tracks priorities such as waste collection, recycling, fleet readiness, facilities, infrastructure, and emergency response; improves efficiency, workforce use, interdivisional coordination, and customer service; elevates significant issues with clear analysis, solutions, and implementation plans; and coordinates urgent matters requiring executive or cross-divisional action. Leads implementation and monitoring of the Department’s strategic plan and executive initiatives; directs cross-functional projects involving divisions, agencies, and external stakeholders; establishes plans, milestones, and deliverables; and holds responsible parties accountable. Advances modernization, technology, fleet sustainability, infrastructure, waste diversion, safety, and service improvements; prepares assessments, briefings, decision memoranda, and recommendations; and evaluates outcomes to improve effectiveness, sustainability, and public value. Coordinates among the Director’s Office, departmental leaders, executive and legislative offices, agencies, and external stakeholders; prepares and reviews correspondence, briefings, speeches, presentations, talking points, reports, and inquiry responses; and coordinates responses to elected officials, oversight bodies, community organizations, and government entities. Communicates sensitive and urgent matters accurately, professionally, and according to protocol; supports the Director in executive meetings, public hearings, community engagements, and interagency initiatives; and maintains clear communication between the Director’s Office and divisions to ensure consistent execution of priorities.

Qualifications And Education

Specialized Experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

Special Requirements

This position is subject to twenty-four (24) hour duty calls during emergencies.

LICENSURE

The incumbent of this position is required to hold and maintain a valid driver's license.

Work Conditions/Environment

The work is performed in a typical office setting which is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

Other Significant Factors

Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: MS-0301-16

Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential

Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is not in the Collective Bargaining Unit

Duration of Appointment: MSS At-Will. Positions in the Management Supervisory Service (MSS) serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Position Designation: This position has been designated as security sensitive therefore, the incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability and as such, incumbents of this position shall be subject to criminal background checks, and background investigations, as applicable.

Essential Designation: This position has been designated as an essential employee position under the provisions of the District Personnel Manual, Chapter 12. As such, your services may be required in emergency situations to perform crucial duties, i.e., snow removal, debris removal, transportation, shelter operation, food distribution, and communications. These duties may be performed when the government is closed or when most employees are dismissed early. Critical District government operations cannot be suspended or interrupted during emergency situations.

Residency Requirement Statement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.