Director of the Office of Public Works - Middlesex County (NJ) : Job Details

Overview

Middlesex County Office of Public Works is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking, and highly skilled professional to serve as the County's next Director of Public Works. The Office of Public Works provides essential services in areas such as asphalt maintenance, paving, bridge repair, street sweeping, traffic lights, paint striping, road inspections, and stormwater management. The Director will focus on maintaining and improving the County's infrastructure and public services while leveraging the latest innovations in public works technology. A key part of the role will be workforce development and fostering a culture of excellence through leadership and employee engagement.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

* Monitor and integrate developments related to public works, evaluate their impact on County operations, and implement policy and procedural improvements aimed at driving innovation and operational efficiency.

* Supervise, guide, and motivate all divisions within the Public Works organization, ensuring they operate at a high level of efficiency and innovation.

* Develop and present the proposed annual budget to the Department Head and County Administrator, while overseeing the monitoring of current budget expenditures.

* Represent the County in meetings with governmental agencies, professional, business, and community organizations, as well as the public. Serve as an advisor to the Planning Commission.

* Assist the Department Head and County Administrator in planning and scheduling capital projects.

* Oversee department inventory to ensure adherence to good inventory practices and compliance with County policies.

* Lead the development and execution of innovative goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the Office of Public Works.

* Supervise the preparation and administration of budgets for the Office, County special districts, and capital projects.

* Direct and review the work of contract consultants on public works projects and related assignments.

* Provide leadership and guidance to the Office staff through the selection, evaluation, training, and development of team members, ensuring adherence to County policies and fostering a positive work environment.

* Lead workforce development initiatives, focusing on training, educating, and energizing a diverse workforce to ensure they are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge in public works.

* Promote and implement best practices in workforce management, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, inclusion, and excellence.

* Conduct or direct analytical studies of public works activities, developing and reviewing reports of findings, alternatives, and recommendations.

* Interview, hire, supervise, and evaluate Office personnel, and discipline employees as needed.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

* Civil engineering principles and methods as applied to public works projects, including roads, highways, bridges, special districts, and other public services.

* Exposure to innovation and best-in-class public works practices, including:

* Manufacture and supervision of traffic signs, traffic signals, and advanced traffic signal control systems.

* Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS), including cameras, Lidar, Radar, and communication systems.

* Supervision of roadway sensor maintenance and related technology.

* Maintenance and operation of dams, gates, and flood control structures.

* Municipal Storm Sewer System (MS4) compliance.

* Supervision of roadway milling, paving, thermoplastic striping, and pavement reflectors.

* Masonry and bridge repair, including right-of-way maintenance and lawn management.

* Flood control project operations and maintenance, including earthen levees, reinforced concrete structural floodwalls, and structural roadway closure gates.

* Advanced snow removal operations, including the use of Pavement Condition Monitoring Systems, Vehicle Location, and Operation Systems.

* Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, program, and budget development, and implementation.

* Personnel management and employee supervision techniques with an emphasis on workforce development, leadership, and fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

* Traffic and safety factors involved in road design.

* Principles and methods of civil engineering as applied to planning, development, design, construction, cost estimation, and maintenance of County public works projects.

* Principles, methods, and materials used in land development, including the design and construction of roads, bridges, buildings, water, sewer, and storm drainage systems.

* Federal, State, and local laws and regulations affecting construction and maintenance of public works facilities, building inspection, land surveying, transit operations, fleet management, and County special districts.

* Federal and State design standards for roads, bridges, culverts, and related structures.

Skill in:

* Leading and developing a high-performing workforce through motivation, education, training, and energizing diverse teams.

* Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing, and evaluating the engineering, surveying, public works, and road inspection activities of the County.

* Selecting, training, and evaluating staff, ensuring an inclusive and growth-oriented environment.

* Developing, implementing, and interpreting goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards.

* Analyzing complex transportation and infrastructure problems, evaluating alternatives, and making sound recommendations.

* Preparing, verifying, analyzing, and reconciling complex engineering reports and recommendations.

* Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with government officials, community members, and employees.

* Exercising sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.

* Representing the County effectively in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders.

* Preparing clear, concise, and competent reports, correspondence, and other written materials.

* Implementing and managing innovative public works technology systems related to traffic signal control, asset and fleet management, roadway sensors, and flood control operations.

Education and Experience Required:

* Possession of a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field from an accredited college or university; and fifteen (15) years of professional experience in public works or related construction/maintenance programs, four (4) years of which shall have included management responsibilities.

* Civil Engineering Degree Strongly Preferred.

* Exposure to and experience with innovative and best-in-class public works technologies and methods is essential.