Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Deputy Director, Public Works

Recruitment #22-2047-01

Introduction

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.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaire will only be accepted on-line.


Click For More Detailed Information About this Exciting Job Opportunity.

DESCRIPTION


THE AGENCY
Alameda County Public Works Agency is a full-service provider of design, construction management, and maintenance of public infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks, and pathways; creeks; flood control facilities and storm drains; trees; vehicles and equipment; street lights and traffic signals. The Agency also provides traffic, transportation planning and funding, watershed management, real estate, environmental, and surveying services.

The Agency is also responsible for the engineering review of private developments and the issuance of building permits, right-of-way encroachment permits, and well drilling permits.

The Agency is involved in community programs, including beautification, clean-up projects, and graffiti abatement. In addition, through its role as the administrator of the Flood Control District, the Agency supports friends of creeks groups, other non-profit and governmental jurisdictions within Alameda County in promoting environmental stewardship.

The Agency has approximately 350 full-time equivalent positions in a variety of professional, technical, clerical, and skilled trades classifications, with a budget of $320M for FY22.

AGENCY MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Public Works Agency is to enhance the quality of life for the people of Alameda County by providing a safe, well-maintained, and lasting public works infrastructure through accessible, responsive, and effective services.


THE OPPORTUNITY
These are exciting career opportunities to serve as key members of the executive team of a progressive organization. The Deputy Directors report to the Director of the Public Works Agency and manages the activities of the Construction and Development Services Department and Engineering Services Department.

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 POSITIONS
The Deputy Director for the Construction and Development Services Department will be responsible for contract administration, construction management and inspection of capital improvement projects; and approval of private developments including issuance of building permits and building inspections. The Deputy Director will also be responsible for administration of five county services areas as well as the administration of the Agency's business outreach and labor compliance programs.

The Deputy Director for the Engineering Services Department will be responsible for transportation and flood control engineering design; traffic engineering; surveying and mapping; transportation and watershed planning; environmental and clean water programs; and right of way acquisition and management. The Deputy Director will also be responsible for the continued development and implementation of a robust Capital Improvement Program for Transportation and Flood Control Programs.

For more detailed information about the job classification, visit: Deputy Director, Public Works (#2047)

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 candidates need to possess considerable knowledge of public works, best practices, regulatory and technological trends and a proven ability to improve service delivery that addresses diverse community needs. The Deputy Director will be expected to take charge of the departments and hit the ground running with current projects and programs. Individuals selected will be hands-on managers who will lead dedicated staff while identifying best practices for policies, procedures, and future operations. 

The Deputy Director is a key member of the executive team and is expected to operate openly and collaboratively with the entire Public Works Agency. It is also critical that the Deputy Director has the ability to communicate clearly to the organization and community.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will possess experience, knowledge, and skills in the following areas:
  • Knowledge of laws, regulations, and standards governing public works.
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal organization and administration, including knowledge of budget preparation and execution.
  • Knowledge of human resource management practices, including employee relations, civil service processes, and leadership development.
  • Knowledge of contract administration and project management.
  • Broad knowledge of strategic planning and organizational development.
  • Research, analyze, prepare, and/or review complex administrative and operating reports and records. 
  • Data driven management and supervisory experience with a focus on accountability.
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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies: 

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.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

The examination will consist of the following steps:

  1. A review of candidates' application to verify possession of minimum requirements.  Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
  2. A review of the supplemental questionnaire to determine the best qualified. Those candidates scoring highest on the screening for best qualified will move on to the next step in the examination process.
  3. An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates' final examination score.  The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this recruitment.  

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.

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.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.


Selection Plan

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:                                                                               5:00 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2022
April 29, 2022
May 31, 2022
August 31, 2022
October 31, 2022
Review of Minimum Qualifications: by Friday, April 1, 2022
TBD
Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified:  Week of April 18, 2022
TBD
Oral Examination Interviews:  Week of May 2, 2022
TBD
Updated 3/24/2022, 4/20/22, & 6/1/22 (eb)
*The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification.

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.

BENEFITS

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
  • 1st 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.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com, acgov.org and Noreply@jobaps.com 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 boxes Noreply@jobaps.com and noreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org are routed to unmonitored mailboxes. 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.


Erika Beams, Human Resources Analyst 
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
Email Address: ERIKA.BEAMS@ACGOV.ORG  Phone: 510-272-6393 
www.acgov.org/hrs


DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law.  Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect.  Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.