Special Projects Manager - Engineering

Salary : $85,008.00 - $103,332.00 Annually
Location : Eureka, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 23/24.41
Department: Public Works
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 03/04/2024
Closing Date: 3/11/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
Description Summary
DEFINITION
Under general direction, organizes, oversees, coordinates and reviews the work of staff performing difficult and complex professional, technical support related to programs and activities of an assigned Division, manages grants, Special Projects and studies, provides program, budgetary, and work-flow support to the Department Director; and acts as liaison with various community, public, and regulatory agencies; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from assigned management personnel. Exercises direct and general supervision over assigned staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a mid-management classification that manages projects and staff within an assigned division. Responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility. The incumbent organizes and oversees day-to-day activities and is responsible for providing professional-level support to the Department Director in a variety of areas. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skill in coordinating divisional and programmatic work. This class is distinguished from the Department Director in that the latter has overall responsibility for all functions of the Department and for developing, implementing and interpreting public policy.
Expectation of Job Duties
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of assigned projects, and operations.
• Conducts a variety of operational studies; collects and analyzes relevant data, recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends to the Department Director.
• Manages and coordinates the work plan for the assigned Division; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns work activities, projects and programs; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods and procedures.
• Evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Prioritizes and allocates available resources; reviews and evaluates service delivery, makes recommendations for improvement and ensures maximum effective service provision.
• Develops and reviews staff reports related to assigned projects, operations activities and services; presents reports to the City Council and other commissions, committees and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities.
• Participates in the development and administration of the Division budget; oversees the budget for the Division.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Department Director; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the assigned field.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, project management, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Principles and practices of budget administration.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations concerning the operation of assigned Division.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and evaluation.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs of the assigned Division.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of assigned Division.
• Safety principles and practices.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, educational, regulatory and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
• Manage and monitor complex projects, on-time and within budget.
• Plan, organize, schedule, assign, review and evaluate the work of staff.
• Train staff in work procedures.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written materials.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Interpret, explain, and ensure compliance with City policies and procedures, complex laws, codes, regulations and ordinances.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Requirements
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, economics, environmental services, engineering, or a field closely related to the assigned program area(s), and five (5) years of professional-level programmatic, Special Projects, and related administrative support experience, including two (2) years of supervisory experience. Additional experience may be substituted for the education, up to a maximum of two (2) years.
License:
Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, as well as to work in the field and streets; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone. This is partially a sedentary office, partially a field classification, and standing in and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees partially work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to potentially hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and may be exposed to hot and cold temperatures, inclement weather conditions, loud noise levels, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
WORKING CONDITIONS
May be required to work on evenings, weekends and holidays.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
All applications received are screened to determine which applicants most closely match the desired education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the position. Applicants will receive email notification of the results of the screening process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not necessarily guaranteed advancement to the examination process, as only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate. The most qualified applicants will be invited to an oral board examination tentatively to be held in early April. The Department Head (and/or designee(s)) will interview the top six (6) candidates from the examination process. The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, and grant positions. The City reserves the right to extend the final filing date as necessary.
No other information will be accepted and resumes, cover letters or additional materials WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Retirement - CalPERS
CalPERS Classic Members (2.7 @ 55) - The current 8% employee contribution is paid by the employee.
New CalPERS members or previous CalPERS members with a break in service of 6 calendar months or greater (2% @ 62) - The current 6.25% employee contribution is paid by the employee. The employee contribution will change each fiscal year to be at least 50% of the normal cost rate as determined by PERS.
NOTE: Earnings from this job are not covered under Social Security. When you retire you may receive a pension based on earnings from this job. If you do, your pension may affect the amount of Social Security benefits you may receive. For more information go to
Medical
The City's workers' compensation coverage is self-funded. Medical coverage for employees and eligible dependents is provided through REMIF (Blue Cross Plan). REMIF offers a regular plan and, if eligible, a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). HSA plans allow employees to accrue funds from year to year in an HSA account that can be used to pay health insurance costs both now and after retirement. The annual deductibles for this plan are $1,500 for Employee Only, and $3,000 for Employees with Dependent(s). The City will contribute the full applicable deductible to your HSA account each year. You can withdraw funds from this account to pay eligible health insurance costs, and/or you can accumulate funds in the account for future use. The HSA account funds belong to employees, and will remain yours after you leave City service. The City pays 80% of the health insurance premium; the remaining 20% is paid by the employee. Dental and Vision coverage is paid by the City. Note: There are specific requirements for continuing health insurance as a retiree.
Vacation
Vacation is accumulated at 1 day per month upon employment and increases with time in service. The maximum accrual is 44 days. Vacation buyback is available in increments of 40 hours at a time.
Sick Leave
Sick Leave is accrued at 1 day per month with no limit. A total of nine days of Family Sick Leave are allowed per fiscal year. Three of these days are deducted from a Family Sick Leave bank and six days are deducted from employee's accrued sick leave. An employee may be allowed Family Death Leave up to 3 days per incident. This is not accruable.
Executive Leave
Mid-Management, Management and Department Head employees receive Executive Leave (in lieu of overtime) on July 1st of each fiscal year.
Mid-Management and Management employees receive 6 days and Department Heads shall be credited with 9 days
Holidays
The City pays fo...