Deputy Director of Public Works

City of Palmdale, CA; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Palmdale, CA is seeking a Deputy Director in Public Works to support the Director in planning, development, and administration of department policies and services. This role coordinates with other City departments and public agencies to achieve strategic objectives.

Key duties include budgeting, staff leadership, policy interpretation, and presenting to City bodies. A Bachelor's in civil engineering or related field is required, with a Master’s preferred; six years of progressive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, public administration or related field.
• Master's degree is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Recommend and assist in implementing department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; build a sustainable organization.
• Evaluate operations and prepare reports on operations and activities.
• Lead budget development and administration; forecast needs for staffing, equipment, and supplies.
• Assist in selecting, training, mentoring, and directing department personnel; provide coaching and discipline as needed.
• Assess workload and internal reporting; propose improvements and changes.
• Assign projects and review methods; meet with staff to resolve problems.
• Interpret policies and regulations for staff.
• Make presentations to City committees, commissions, and City Council.
• Participate in City management discussions and address cross-departmental issues.
• Serve as acting Director as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Plan and manage environmental programs, project management, and construction within Public Works.

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Master's degree desirable

Job description

The full salary range for this position is as follows:$81.33-$103.78, Expected salary range is $81.33- $89.65.

The Deputy Director is responsible for providing professional-level support to the Director in various areas. The Deputy Director assists in short and long-term planning, development, and administration of the Department’s policies, procedures and services. Successful performance of the work requires a professional background, as well as skills in coordinating departmental work with other City departments and public agencies.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is distinguished from the Director in that the latter has overall responsibility for all functions, activities, and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Recommend and assist in the implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; develop strategies to build a sustainable organization and meet City strategic objectives.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Lead in the development and administration of the department's annual budget; recommend and assist with forecasting additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Assist in selecting, training, motivating, and directing department personnel; evaluate and review work for acceptability and conformance with department and City standards; coach, counsel, and recommend progressive discipline; respond to staff questions and concerns.
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; recommend and implement changes.
• Assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Interpret departmental policies and governing codes and regulations for departmental employees.
• Make presentations to City committees, commissions, and City Council.
• Function as a member of the City's management team and participate actively in addressing issues of concern to the City, which at times may not have a direct impact on area of specialization.
• Act on behalf of the Director as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Public Works

• Plan, and direct, and manage all City activities and programs involving environmental programs, , project management, and construction; coordinate the Department of Public Works’ programs and activities by incorporating with input from other departments and divisions within the City.
• Manage, oversee, and participates in a variety of professional engineering work, including the preparation of plans and project specifications; direct and coordinate project inspections; and draft ordinances according to general instructions.
• Manage, oversee, and participate in the review of plans; evaluates compliance with laws, ordinances, and acceptable engineering standards, and recommends corrections or improvements.
• Prepare and evaluate requests for proposals relating to projects that require contract engineering work; direct the preparation of project cost estimates for competitive bidding purposes; review plans of consulting/engineering firms performing work for the City and evaluate their performance; prepare construction contract modifications and negotiate contract changes and change order costs.
• Compile and analyze statistical data and information, and prepare technical reports relating to public works projects and programs; assist in the preparation of projections for the department budget, and monitors expenditures.
• Research, analyze, and apply for various grants and other funding sources.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Extensive knowledge of administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Interpret, apply and explain applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Public agency budgetary, contract administration, citywide administrative practices, and general principles or risk management related to the functions of the assigned areas.
• Contract negotiation and administration.
• Principles of research and effective report preparation.
• Administration, budgeting, and personnel management.

Ability to:

• Assist with planning, directing and coordinating the work of the Department.
• Prepare and administer a department budget.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Research and prepare complex financial and long-range planning reports.
• Represent the interests of the City before various boards, committees, commissions, outside agencies, and the public.
• Select, train, supervise and evaluate employees.
• Make sound and effective decisions regarding operational and personnel functions.
• Respond to emergency and problem situations in an effective manner.
• Understand, explain, and apply policies and procedures.
• Analyze unusual situations and resolve them through application of management and engineering principles and practices.
• Develop comprehensive plans to meet future City needs/services.
• Deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions.
• Develop new policies impacting divisional operations/procedures.
• Attend meetings and/or events on evenings and/or weekends.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, construction management, public administration or related field. A Master's degree or California Professional Civil Engineering license is highly desirable.

Experience:

Six years of progressively responsible with 3 years supervisory or management experience in an applicable field.

Licenses / Certifications / Other Requirements

Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver's license, or the ability to use alternative transportation methods to perform the essential duties of the position.

Possession of a valid California driver's license by time of appointment is required for assignments in certain departments, including Economic and Community Development, Housing, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, bending and squatting.

Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds.

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment.

Position regularly requires work outside normal business hours including after hours and, weekend work and travel is occasional.

This is a Confidential position.

Revised: November 2025

FLSA: Overtime exempt