Public Works Operations & Maintenance Manager

General Summary

The City of Lafayette is seeking an experienced professional to lead its water distribution, wastewater collection, transportation maintenance, stormwater management, and fleet services functions. The Public Works Operations & Maintenance Manager is newly created position which reports directly to the Public Works Director and oversees a staff of 17 employees and a division budget of approximately $3.6M. The position is an integral part of the department leadership team and collaborates with the Engineering, Water Treatment, Water Resources, Water Reclamation, and Administration divisions to provide a full range of Public Works services to the community.  

Lafayette is a thriving and diverse community of approximately 29,000 residents. Encompassing 9.54 square miles at the foothills of the Rockies, Lafayette is located at the southeastern edge of Boulder County, allowing for easy access to Boulder, Denver, Denver International Airport, and the Rocky Mountains. Our community enjoys robust services and amenities, including the Great Outdoors Water Park, an award-winning skate park, the Hale Irwin designed Indian Peaks Golf Course, a senior center, The Collective Community Arts Center, Art on the Street public art program, exciting and diverse events like Art Night Out and the Lafayette Peach Festival, Waneka Lake park and boathouse, 20 community parks, 1,465 acres of open space, 20 miles of trails, Lafayette Public Library, NRPA Gold Medal Award-winning Bob L. Burger Recreation Center, multiple community events, and a vibrant downtown. Lafayette has appeared on numerous national lists of top places to live and raise a family.

Due its relatively small size, the City offers leaders a diversity of tasks, and the exciting opportunity to craft a culture and team geared toward continuous improvement, innovation, and exceptional service to the community. Key short-term priorities will include developing programs to proactively address aging infrastructure, implementing a newly created fleet services fund, and introducing best practices to maintain efficient and high quality services as the community continues to grow and evolve.   

The salary range for this opportunity is $84,073.60--$126,110.40. Additionally, the City provides a comprehensive and generous benefits package, including 100% City-paid medical, life, and long-term disability insurance; vision and dental plans; paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave; a substantially-matched defined contribution retirement plan through ICMA-RC (8% employee, 10.2% City);  recreation center pass and wellness benefits, and more.

JOB OBJECTIVE:

Under general direction, to provide leadership and to manage the operation and maintenance of the City’s transportation, water distribution, wastewater collection, and stormwater systems, as well as fleet services.  This position functions as a member of the Public Works Department leadership team and is responsible for developing the strategy for the Operations & Maintenance Division and managing a professional and accountable workgroup focused on continuous improvement and effective and efficient service to the public and internal customers.

Essential Functions

1. Leads and manages the Public Works Operations & Maintenance Division and work programs. This includes the following:

• Develops the overall strategy and direction for the division.
• Creates and supports a culture of continuous improvement. Monitors the implementation and impact of continuous improvement efforts.
• Creates and supports a culture of innovation and implements new ideas and strategies when appropriate, managing associated risks, evaluation, and feedback loops.
• Develops and implements division policies and procedures. Makes recommendations on department and organizational policies and procedures and ensures implementation within division consistent with established objectives, strategy, and direction.
• Collaborates with staff across the Public Works Department and City to develop and meet department and organizational objectives.   
• Keeps director informed of progress, emerging issues, and resource needs.

 2. Manages and supervises workgroup employees and supervisors in accordance with City policies and procedures. This includes the following:

• Executes the work of the division through workgroup supervisors.
• Communicates work plans and goals clearly, monitors and reviews work to ensure quality, determines resource needs, provides feedback.   
• Supports and mentors supervisors in guiding performance of staff.
• Involves employees in decision making processes, seeks employee ideas.
• Oversees recruiting, selection, on-boarding, and retention of division staff.
• Ensures employee policy compliance and performance, including overseeing performance reviews, corrective actions, and discipline.

 3. Performs and manages administrative functions of the division including:

• Develops budget recommendations supported by data and analysis.
• Monitors division expenditures and budget.
• Verifies accuracy of financial documents including invoices, contracts, purchase orders, and payroll documents.
• Ensures division compliance with City financial and contract policies and procedures.
• Develops recommendations for vehicle and equipment purchases.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals, competitive bid processes, and contracts.

4. Develops, monitors, and assesses division data, objectives, metrics, and measures, including:

• Develops division objectives and success metrics.
• Determines division priorities in coordination with Public Works leadership team.
• Administers software systems, spreadsheets, and databases to track and analyze data.
• Prepares reports, plans, strategies, and business cases based on data.
• Coordinates with Finance Department to ensure accuracy of water metering infrastructure.
• Makes recommendations to Engineering Division on capital projects. 

 5. Provides technical guidance, direction, and training for division, including:

• Develops and review on an ongoing basis the skill and training requirements for division staff.  Analyzes work practices and procedures. Implements training programs and quality control practices.  
• Maintains knowledge of regulations, standards, and industry best practices. Ensures compliance with applicable regulations.  
• Collaborates with other divisions, departments, and agencies to share and leverage technical expertise.
• Provides recommendations to Engineering Division on specifications, regulations, and procedures.  

 6. Provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers, including:

• Ensures safe and reliable Public Works infrastructure and services.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with the public, including representing the City during difficult situations such as water outages, sewer backups, floods, and winter storms.  
• Keeps department and communications department staff apprised of potential customer service and communications concerns.
• Serves as an escalation point for division staff on difficult customer service issues.  
• Ensures a high level of service to internal customers, including but not limited to fleet management, emergency response, communication, and event support.

 7. Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe conditions, acts accordingly to prevent accidents. This includes the following:

• Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, equipment, assigned facilities, and the public.  
• Uses all required safety equipment. 
• Fosters a positive safety culture for the division and department.
• Identifies training needs and implements division training program.
• Investigates accidents and injuries. Collaborates with Risk Manager to analyze incidents and implement measures to avoid future accidents and injuries.     

8. May serve as Acting Public Works Director in the director’s absence. 

Typical Qualifications

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or a related field, three years of supervisory experience, and at least five years of relevant work experience involving operation, maintenance, and/or construction of transportation infrastructure, water distribution systems, wastewater collection systems, stormwater systems, and fleet management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to make presentations, and to deal tactfully and effectively with the public. Demonstrated ability to collaborate. Proven ability to lead, manage and organize work teams. Proven ability to effectively contribute to leadership team(s). Demonstrated ability to establish and achieve goals. Demonstrated ability and initiative to work independently with minimal supervision. Demonstrated knowledge and proficient use of computers and associated software applications including asset management, work order systems, and GIS. Demonstrated ability to develop budget proposals and manage budgets. Knowledge of safety issues related to Public Works operations and maintenance activities. Ability to respond to emergency situations and outside of normal work hours. Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities. Valid driver’s license. Have and maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record and criminal history record. Contribute to and demonstrate City’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and transparency.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (In Addition to Required Minimum)

Colorado Class IV Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection certification, or ability to obtain within 12 months. Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Certification as a Traffic Control Supervisor. Experience with Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permitting. Certified and experienced as a heavy equipment operator. Confined space certification. Trenching and shoring certification. Erosion and Sediment Control certification. Backflow Prevention Certification. Experience with winter operations including snow and ice management.  Underground Storage Tank Operator Class A certification. Bilingual in Spanish. Experience managing or overseeing supervisors. 

Information

• Location: Lafayette, United States

Industry experience

Education: Bachelor

Seniority: Manager, Director, Professor

Years of experience: 1 to 5 years

Taxonomy

• Operation & Maintenance
• Water & Wastewater Operations
• Operations Management
• Wastewater operation and management