4360 PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR

NATURE OF WORK This is responsible administrative and technical supervisory work in the direction of the Public Services Section which includes the Departments of Public Utilities, Engineering, Public Works, Parks and Airports.. Work involves responsibility for the planning, organizing and directing the activities of the Public Services Section and related operations for the City. The position also serves as the Public Utilities and Public Works Director and is responsible for the operational supervision of public works and utility systems and facility components. The Public Services Director is responsible for coordinating and implementing short and long-range planning for the Section relating to all areas of operations, purchasing, budgeting, policy development, staff training, and the planning of long- range improvements and maintenance programs in accordance with City and Section goals, policies and objectives. Direction is exercised over a large staff of technical, professional, supervisory, skilled and semi-skilled employees. Work is reviewed through reports, conferences, analysis of records maintained, and evaluation of citizen reports. This position functions independently within established policy parameters under the general administrative direction of the City Administrator and Mayor.

EXAMPLES OF WORK (Any one position of this class may not include all duties listed, nor do listed examples include all duties that may be found in positions of this class.)

1. Provides direction, supervision and technical oversight of the Public Services Section and is responsible for compliance with the related legal and financial requirements.  Ensures that Public Services Section staff follows the appropriate procedures and complies with City policies and general government requirements.  Ensures the Public Services Section financial records and budgets are maintained and City Administration is properly advised regarding the fiscal position of the Section.  Administers the annual budget of the Public Services Section and recommends changes in spending on line-items based on changing conditions in order to balance revenues with expenditures. Administers contract and grant revenue and expenditures, and submits any required reports or payment claims.  Oversees Section purchasing and bid-letting to ensure cost efficiency and compliance with laws and regulations.  Recommends appropriate fee schedules for utility services and ensures that project costs are accurately tracked and charged to the correct accounts.

2. Directs the operation, maintenance and staffing of Public Utilities systems including the Water Treatment Facility, Water Distribution System, Wastewater Treatment Facility, Wastewater Collection System, Water Meters, Stormwater Utility, Tenth Street Dam and the Hydroelectric Generation Facility.  Drinking water system is operated and maintained in a manner that exceeds State and Federal requirements.  Collect, treat and recycle wastewater in an environmentally sensitive manner that protects the integrity of the Mississippi River and area farmland receiving wastewater residual solids.  Hydroelectric Generation Facility is operated at maximum output within design, equipment efficiencies and safety guidelines.  Compliance with the US-EPA, MPCA and MN-DNR stormwater requirements.  Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan is implemented as required by MS4 Permit and the Clean Water Act.  Effective infrastructure management to maintain and respond to growth and the aging of equipment/infrastructure.  Ensuring adequate revenue by continuously assessing the rate structure.  Facilitates communication with other jurisdictions receiving services conveyance and treatment services from the City.  Facilities are operated in a safe and secure manner.

3. Directions the operation, maintenance and staffing of the Public Works Department including the Sanitation, Street, Parking and Equipment Maintenance Divisions.  Provide municipal refuse and recycling collection services.  Maintain the municipal street, alley and sidewalk system.  Provide convenient, well maintained parking facilities.  Operate and maintain equipment and facilities to minimize and reduce repair and replacement costs.  Maintains compliance with current and future Federal and State requirements.

4. Provides administrative oversight and direction to the Departments of Parks, Engineering and Airports and to ensure effective and efficient programs, policies and operations.

5. Directs the short and long-range planning efforts of the Public Services.  Organizes and ensures compliance with the Departmental and/or Section related Master and Strategic Plans.  Evaluates progress on short and long-term goals and modifies work assignments as required.  Evaluates current and future regulations and provides recommendations to City Administration.  Ensures that Section plans, goals, values and vision continue to reflect the goals, values and vision of the City and is responsive to the needs of the community.

6. Review and assess the organizational structure of the Public Services Section and recommends necessary modifications or changes. Recommends the hiring of all Section staff.  Recommends to the City Administrator and Mayor employees to fill positions within budget parameters.  Manages performance of staff directly and through the Department Heads, supervisors, managers and assistants.  Directs the development of Section policies, work rules and provides input in labor negotiations as they relate to the Public Services Section.

7. Represents the City of St. Cloud with the public, news media and government agencies in a manner that conveys a positive image of City government and that fosters cooperation and support.  Using respect for individual ideas and interests, the Public Services Director is sensitive to diverse audiences in communicating about Section activities.  Provides well-defined information to local media and fosters cooperative professional relationships with members of the media in order to facilitate accuracy of information regarding matters of importance and interest.  Follows all legal communication requirements including those relating to public access to information and open meetings.  Listens to various individuals and groups, including citizens and other units or agencies of government and brings that information into the formulation of positions, directions and recommendations for City Administration.  Seeks cooperation from others in the form of actions, grants or other desired outcomes by framing requests in a concise and favorable format.  Builds working relationships with elected and appointed officials at the federal, state, county and metropolitan level in order to be in a position to advocate for the best interests of the City of St. Cloud.

8. Performs related work as assigned and/or required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree in biology, chemistry or engineering plus ten years of considerable progressively responsible experience in public works, hydroelectric, water, stormwater and wastewater system operations; at least five of the experience years must be at a supervisory level. Must posses Class-A Water Supply Operator’s Certification and Class-A Wastewater Treatment Certification by the State of Minnesota. Graduate of the American Water Works Utility Management Institute or a similar executive training program. Thorough knowledge and experience in the application of modern principles and practices of administration as applied to public works, stormwater management, design, construction, operation and maintenance of hydroelectric, water treatment, and wastewater treatment facilities and related water distribution and sanitary and stormwater collection systems.

DESIRABLE SKILLS Ability to plan for needs and improvements in municipal public works systems, develop department goals and objectives, develop departmental programs, effectively supervise subordinates in the accomplishment of objectives and evaluate program accomplishments in terms of end results achieved; Ability to present technical subjects clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, in a manner in which can be understood by laypersons; Ability to plan, implement, supervise and evaluate department programs and personnel; Ability to organize, direct and coordinate the activities of a large department in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; Ability to delegate authority and responsibility and to schedule utility work projects on a long-term basis; Ability to develop, present and gain acceptance for programs and budgets; Ability to analyze public utility administrative problems and situations and to prepare effective and reasonable courses of action; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the City Administrator, Mayor, City Council, other Section and Department heads, state and federal agency representatives and the general public.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job as listed in the "Examples of Work.” Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions: Must be able to read, write, hear, and speak English sufficiently to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions; to understand technical information related to water quality parameters, drafting, land survey, and civil engineering; to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; to make verbal presentations to staff and to the public; to prepare written documents, press releases, and reports required to supervise subordinates through radio communications and verbal directives. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, other employees, contractors, and the general public; Must be capable of operating with little or no supervision, and make independent decisions based on utility and/or existing administration policies. Hand-eye coordination is required to operate computer and office equipment. The employee must have sufficient strength, mobility, and agility to perform occasional field survey and construction inspection work; use of hands to handle equipment, tools, and objects; ability to traverse areas of uneven or excavated ground and steep embankments. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for prolonged periods of time. Work is performed in office settings with moderately quiet conditions. Outside work is performed on construction sites with exposure to weather conditions, dust, dirt, loud noise, exhaust fumes, and moving equipment. Treatment facility work is performed in areas with exposure to various environmental conditions such as dust, dirt, noise, disagreeable odors, humidity, and extreme temperatures. Must have normal vision, with or without correction, in order to use a personal computer and notice clarity changes in water and wastewater. Must have normal range of hearing, with or without correction, to be able to hear and respond to telephone and radio communications. Must be capable of reasonable judgement and possess sound reasoning and problem solving skills due to the independent nature of most of the work involved.

Must be free of conditions that would endanger self or others in the carrying out of duties; must be free of substance abuse (legal or illegal) in order to maintain effective job performance; Must have the ability to perform complex mathematical functions related to water and wastewater quality standards and processes. Must have the ability to learn proper techniques and use of computer equipment and various software packages including industrial plant operation applications, spreadsheets and word processing.

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