Assistant Director of Public Works

Salary : $87,816.00 - $95,000.00 Annually
Location : Virginia, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 41407-002
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 04/18/2025
Closing Date: 5/18/2025 5:00 PM Eastern

Position Description

This position is responsible for direct supervision of the County's capital project functions and assists the Public Works Director in managing overall departmental operations. Duties include overseeing capital projects, supporting daily operations, managing staff, coordinating with stakeholders, and serving as Acting Director when needed.
Position Objectives

• Assist the Public Works Director in developing and implementing departmental goals, polices, and procedures.
• Act as a key advisor to the Director, providing recommendations for improving operations and achieving strategic outcomes.
• Lead initiatives or projects as assigned by the Director.
• Manage the planning, budgeting, and execution of capital improvement projects, including new construction.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Monitor project milestones, conduct site visits, and address any issues that may impact project delivery.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, standards, and organizational policies related to capital projects.
• Assist in preparing and managing the department's annual budget.
• Review expenditures, support grant application, cost analysis, and other financial initiatives as directed.
• Supervise assigned staff, providing direction, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Serve as acting director in the absence of the Public Works Director.
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment across the department.
• Act as liaison between the department, other organizational units, and external stakeholders.
• Represent the department at meetings, presentations, and community events as needed.
• Respond to inquiries and address concerns from staff, leadership, or the public.
• Assist in the development and execution of emergency response and continuity of operations plans.
• Track performance metrics for assigned areas of responsibility and prepare reports for leadership.
• Analyze data to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Assist in managing and negotiating services contracts and the work of external contractors.
• Assist in developing building maintenance schedules and maintenance item spreadsheets, including cost, labor and time estimates
• Coordinates emergency response operations, including snow removal and snow clean up.
• Coordinates the departments safety program training for assigned personnel.
• Performs related duties.

Desirable Training and Experience

• Knowledge of public works management principles.

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal codes, acts and policies concerning electrical, building, plumbing and HVAC, and the installation, maintenance, and repair of same.

• Knowledge of the practices, processes, materials, and equipment used in the maintenance, repair construction and improvement of public buildings and grounds.

• Knowledge of county and department policies and procedures.

• Knowledge of construction practices and industry standards.

• Construction management experience or equivalent certification.

• Knowledge of contract development, negotiation, and administration.

• Knowledge of budget management principles and budget preparation.

• Knowledge of project management principles.

• Knowledge of public administration, public accounting, and public procurement.

• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and safe work principles.

• Skill in management and supervision.

• Skill in problem solving, planning, scheduling, organization, and decision making.

• Skill in interpersonal relations.

• Skill in operating computers and job-related software programs.

• Skill in reading, understanding, and interpreting plans, blueprints, schematics, and construction drawings.

• Skill in oral and written communication.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The Director of Public Works assigns work in terms of very general instruction with departmental goals and objectives referenced. The supervisor observes department activities, gives reports, attends conferences, and spot-checks completed work, as needed, for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the results.
Powhatan County offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including: participation in the Virginia Retirement System, health insurance (including dental and vision), Health Savings Account (with High Deductible insurance plan), Flexible Spending Account, life insurance, Accident, Critical Illness and Cancer Supplemental Insurance, holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plans, and short-term disability insurance.

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