Director of Public Works / City Engineer

Director of Public Works / City Engineer

City of San Juan Capistrano, CA

WHY JOIN OUR CITY?

Help Shape the City's Next Chapter

The City of San Juan Capistrano is entering an exciting new chapter. As several long-serving executives conclude their service, the City is recruiting key leaders who will have a rare opportunity to help shape the next generation of its executive team.

A Captivating, Well-Managed City

The City of San Juan Capistrano (pop. 35,469) is a captivating and vibrant 14.4 square mile community with an engaged citizenry located in desirable south Orange County. The City is unique in Southern California with the benefit of having a true central and historic downtown complete with a turn of the century railroad depot, mission, Los Rios Historic District, and numerous shops and restaurants all within walking distance.

The well-managed City is in an enviable position with annual budget surpluses and investments in public safety, critical infrastructure, parks and other quality of life improvements.

The Public Works Department

The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining the City's public infrastructure and delivering essential public services.

Operations and Maintenance

• Oversees the care of public streets, parks, facilities and recreational spaces to the highest standards.

Engineering and Environmental Services

• Manages the City's robust Capital Improvement Program, engineering related development review and permitting, environmental services, public right-of-way encroachment, and transportation planning.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, steady leader with strong management, organizational and communication skills and a proven track record of effectively overseeing capital improvement projects and public works operations. This position requires a customer service driven professional who demonstrates integrity, dedication and is innovative. The ideal candidate should demonstrate a commitment to achieving specific strategic plan objectives to improve the overall performance and effectiveness of the Department, while providing exemplary municipal services to City residents, businesses, and visitors. The City is particularly seeking a strong and focused leader who will provide stability, clarity, and direction.

• Dynamic, steady leader
• Customer service driven
• Astute, yet apolitical

We are seeking an energetic and forward-thinking professional who thrives in a collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical and strategic capabilities, communicate openly and effectively, and leverage the expertise and institutional knowledge of the City's Executive Team to achieve organizational goals. Strong municipal engineering knowledge will be essential, including the ability to provide sound technical direction, strengthen project management, and keep capital and engineering initiatives on track. The ideal candidate must be flexible and able to adapt to change. An individual with strong business acumen who is politically astute yet apolitical is sought. The City is seeking an accessible and engaged department leader who can build strong teams, clarify roles and accountability, support professional development, and foster a positive, accountable workplace culture. Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment will be essential.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Director of Public Works / City Engineer

The Director of Public Works/City Engineer plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the Public Works Department, including, but not limited to: design and construction of capital improvement and other City projects; maintenance of City streets, storm water, water quality compliance, buildings, parks, public open spaces, vehicles and equipment; coordination of assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; department budget preparation and administration; and provision of highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager and Assistant City Manager.

The Director of Public Works/City Engineer further manages, plans, coordinates, organizes and directs the activities of the City's Engineering work unit, including traffic engineering, engineering services, environmental and permits, in the Public Works Department. The position manages and coordinates complex capital improvement and maintenance projects, performs professional engineering work pertaining to the design and construction of assigned projects; conducts engineering analyses and reviews plans and specifications; acts as a project manager on assigned projects; and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY AT A GLANCE

• Design and construction of capital improvement and other City projects
• Streets, storm water, sewer, buildings, parks, vehicles and equipment
• Engineering work unit, including Traffic Engineering
• Department budget preparation and administration
• Administrative support to the City Manager and Assistant City Manager

Compensation

$208,212 - $253,092 Annually

Placement within the range is dependent upon qualifications and experience. Salary is supplemented by competitive benefits that include, but are not limited to benefits as noted below:

Key Benefits

• Retirement - Enrollment in the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) is required. Employees entering a public retirement on or after 01/01/2013 fall under OCERS' PEPRA plans and choose between the defined benefit formula of 2.5% at 67 or a hybrid plan of 1.62% at 65 combined with a 401(a) defined retirement contribution plan. Public employees with OCERS or prior reciprocal service fall under the 2.0% at 57 formula.
• CalPERS Reciprocity - OCERS and CalPERS are reciprocal retirement systems. Reciprocity is established for members who terminate employment with one public retirement system, leave their funds on deposit, and enter another reciprocal retirement system within 180 days. Reciprocal benefits are designed to allow employees who transfer between public retirement systems to preserve and enhance their total retirement benefits.
• Deferred Compensation - The City contributes $500/month to the employee's 457 deferred compensation account, and employees may also elect to contribute a portion of their salary, tax-free, up to the IRS-established limit.
• Auto and Cell Phone Allowance - $225/month automobile allowance and $80/month cell phone allowance.
• The City of San Juan Capistrano does not participate in Social Security.
• Health Insurance - The City currently offers nine CalPERS medical plan options, with the City paying 100% of the monthly premium for employee and dependents coverage for six of the nine plans available. Employees who provide proof of group medical insurance coverage may opt out of medical coverage and receive $400/month opt-out compensation.
• Dental & Vision - City-paid coverage for employees and their eligible dependents through Aetna Dental and Vision Service Plan (VSP).
• Retirement Health Savings (RHS) - Employee pre-taxed contributions in the amount of $225 per month to the employee's RHS account are required.
• Life Insurance - Two times annual salary, plus $20,000 up to a maximum of $500,000.
• Short and Long-Term Disability - Disability coverage or income projection up to 2/3 of salary due to non-work-related disability, injury, or illness, up to a maximum percentage of salary.
• Holidays - 12 paid holidays per year, plus 20 floating holiday hours pro-rated during the first year based on hire date.
• City Hall Holiday Closure - City Hall is closed Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.
• Vacation Leave - 184 hours annually, pro-rated each pay period, and with no cap.
• Administrative Leave - 80 hours annually, pro-rated each pay period.
• Sick Leave - 96 hours annually, pro-rated each pay period, and with no cap.
• Tuition Reimbursement - $5,000 available annually for a degree from an accredited college, university, or certification program, based on a total possible Citywide pool of $35,000.
• Work Schedule - 9/80 work schedule.
• Other Benefits - The City also offers Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, an Employee Assistance Program through New York Life, and voluntary supplemental insurance plans through Aflac.