Deputy Director, Public Works

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Postmarks are not accepted. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

*Ralph Andersen & Associates is soliciting qualified candidates on behalf of Alameda County and this recruitment is being conducted pursuant to the Alameda County Civil Service Commission rules. Interested candidates should apply by August 26, 2019.

Electronic submittals are strongly preferred to Ralph Andersen & Associates at apply@ralphandersen.com and should include a compelling cover letter, and a comprehensive resume. Upon submission to Ralph Andersen & Associates, candidates will be instructed to immediately complete an online application with Alameda County to complete the process.

THE PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY
The Alameda County Public Works Agency (PWA) designs, builds, and maintains public infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, creeks, flood control facilities, and storm drains. Along the unincorporated roadways, the PWA sweeps public streets, landscapes the public right-of-way, trims trees, and removes graffiti. The PWA also oversees the installation and operation of traffic signals, streetlights, roadway signage, roadway pavement markings, and paint. The PWA administers the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, a separate legal entity that serves the entire County. The Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District is the devoted steward of a valuable resource—a vast flood control infrastructure including channels, pump stations, and other facilities. The District works specifically to protect County citizens from flooding while preserving the natural environment. The Public Works Agency also performs the engineering review of private development and issuance of building permits, right-of-way encroachment permits, and well-drilling permits. In addition, the Public Works Agency facilitates a variety of community programs including beautification, cleanup projects, community events, and biking/walking safety and promotion programs. The Public Works Agency has an annual operating budget of $177.5 million and 295 FTEs.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The next Deputy Director, Public Works Agency for Alameda County will have the opportunity to oversee the capital project delivery of an impressive portfolio of projects in one of the most desirable locations in the United States. Alameda County is ideally located a short distance from San Francisco and both the Silicon and Napa Valleys. An interesting professional challenge and a desirable location await the selected candidate.

THE COMMUNITY
Alameda County is located on the east side of the San Francisco Bay. Referred to as the “East Bay,” the region has been the fastest growing group of communities in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than two decades. Alameda County is popular because of its desirable location, incredible diversity, ideal climate, and broad economic base, plus its range of available housing and business opportunities. Alameda County is one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse regions in the country, offering a rich array of amenities including the Oakland Museum, Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland East Bay Symphony, and the Livermore and Tri-Valley Wine Country. The University of California, Berkeley and California State University, East Bay are two of several distinguished academic institutions located in the County.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Alameda County has a population approaching 1.6 million residents, making it the second largest county in the Bay Area and the seventh largest in the State. The County encompasses 14 cities as well as 6 unincorporated communities and rural areas that span a total of 738 square miles. The County operates under a charter form of government and is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors. The Board is responsible for setting policy, overseeing all County operations, approving the organization’s annual budget, and representing the County in a number of areas including to numerous special districts and regional agencies. The Board-appointed County Administrator leads a team of department heads who work collaboratively to carry out County programs and initiatives. The Alameda County PWA is an American Public Works Association (APWA) Accredited Agency. During the most recent reaccreditation two of the Public Works Agency’s programs, “Rate Setting and Equipment Specifications” and “Bid Review,” were recognized for exceptional model practices that should be adopted by other public works agencies

THE POSITION
Reporting to the Director of Public Works, this Deputy Director will join two other Deputy Directors on the Public Works Agency’s executive team. This Deputy Director oversees the Engineering Department, which consists of the Engineering & Transportation Division and the Flood Control & Watershed Management Program, with a $500 million, 5-year Capital Improvement Program and 63 FTEs. Currently, two Principal Engineers, one overseeing the Engineering & Transportation Division and the other the Flood Control & Watershed Management Program, report directly to this Deputy Director.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Alameda County Public Works Agency is seeking an ambitious, innovative, and pragmatic leader to provide robust capital project delivery oversight of the engineering, transportation, and flood control functions for the Agency. The ideal candidate should embody the following characteristics, experience, and qualifications:

• Proven track record in successful capital project delivery. A “get the job done” approach, with demonstrated success, is the most important attribute that will be found in the ideal candidate. Keep projects on-time and on-budget and meet deadlines while being flexible to accommodate changes in priorities as needed.

• A self-starter that is willing to commit the time and talents to take on new challenges and gain quick respect in the Agency. The ideal candidate will be able to work autonomously and productively.

• Proactive and inspirational manager with an active communication style who promotes a positive environment of accountability while creating opportunities for employees to gain cutting edge training that will elevate the organization to the next level.

• Possess strong program management and long-term planning and budgeting expertise with resourceful approaches in securing funding, and implementation of key projects with short timelines at a rapid pace.

•Must be able to connect with diverse stakeholders and effectively manage stakeholder expectations by developing realistic solutions that can be implemented to improve community needs.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills are highly valued. The selected candidate must be responsive and communicate up, down, and across the organization. Additionally, the Deputy Director will often be called upon to present at Board and community meetings.

• The Alameda County PWA is an award-winning agency, as a result of innovation and the pursuit of excellence – traits the ideal candidate will share. It is expected the next Deputy Director will initiate innovations that continue the PWA’s record of successes.

The Alameda County PWA is an award-winning agency, as a result of innovation and the pursuit of excellence – traits the ideal candidate will share. It is expected the next Deputy Director will initiate innovations that continue the PWA's record of successes.

Click here to view the complete recruitment brochure.

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering or for the position specific to the Maintenance and Operations Division, possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public/Business Administration or Civil Engineering may be substituted.

And Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of two years full-time experience as a Principal Civil Engineer class in Alameda County classified service and possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

For the position specific to the Maintenance and Operation Division of Public Works the equivalent of two years full-time experience as a Field Maintenance Superintendent can substitute for the required experience and licensure requirement as a Principal Civil Engineer.

Or II
Experience:

The equivalent of five years full-time supervisory experience as a registered Civil Engineer with at least two years of the required experience being at the level of principal, assistant director or a higher-level position within an engineering organization and possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

For the position specific to the Maintenance and Operations Division, the equivalent of five years full-time supervisory experience working in a public or private organization as a Field Maintenance Supervisor or registered Civil Engineer, with at least two years as a field maintenance superintendent, principal civil engineer, assistant director or a higher-level position within a maintenance organization can substitute for the required Civil Engineering experience and civil engineering licensure requirement.

And
License:

1. Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. For the position specific to Maintenance and Operations, this requirement is waived.

2. Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge:

• Principles of administration, supervision and training, principles of public relations.
• Budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering, including surveying, hydrology, hydraulics and strength of materials.
• Theories, principles and techniques of construction and maintenance.
• Principles of right of way acquisitions.
• Methods and techniques used in conducting organizational and analytical studies.
• Familiarity with the American Public Works Association Accreditation and Leadership and Fellow Programs.

Ability to:

• Plan and organize.
• Communicate orally and in writing.
• Prepare budget analysis.
• Analyze and problem solve.
• Make decisions.
• Adapt to stress.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity.
• Direct, coordinate and administer a variety of functional specialties with a large number of overlapping work areas.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of technical and administrative personnel.
• Effectively communicate the policies and programs of the Public Works Agency and its departments before individuals and groups.
• Balance competing interests in a regulatory and political environment.
• Exercise considerable independent judgment in the management of assigned activities.

The examination will consist of the following steps:

1. A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements.
2. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process; review of candidates’ work experience and background to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process which may involve an interview with Ralph Anderson and Associates*.
3. Those candidates scoring highest on the screening for best qualified will move on to the next step in the examination process, an oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

*Ralph Andersen & Associates is soliciting qualified candidates on behalf of Alameda County and this recruitment is being conducted pursuant to the Alameda County Civil Service Commission rules. Interested candidates must apply by August 26, 2019. Electronic submittals are strongly preferred to Ralph Andersen & Associates at apply@ralphandersen.com and should include a compelling cover letter, and a comprehensive resume. Upon submission to Ralph Andersen & Associates, candidates will be instructed to immediately complete an online application with Alameda County to complete the process.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

Deadline for Filing:	August 26, 2019
Review of Applications for Minimum Qualifications:	September 3, 2019
Review of Applications for Best Qualified:	September 9, 2019
Oral Examination:	TBD

*WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN*

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Sam Gee, Human Resources Division Manager
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
510-267-9492

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer